Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.75
Liaison Mark Klapatch-Mathias
Submission Date May 1, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-River Falls
OP-27: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Michael Stifter
Director
Facilities Mgmt.
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution use Low Impact Development (LID) practices as a matter of policy or standard practice to reduce rainwater/stormwater runoff volume and improve outgoing water quality for new construction, major renovation, and other projects?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:

In coordination with the UW System, the Division of Facilities Development (DFD), and the City of River Falls, UWRF utilizes a number of BMP's as they relate to stormwater. UWRF currently meets 2013 standards and reports annual stormwater efforts to the DNR.


Has the institution adopted a rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, or strategies that mitigate the rainwater runoff impacts of ongoing campus operations through the use of green infrastructure? :
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:

The campus and community are very proud of its efforts in this area. The campus greatly exceeds the requirements set in place, greatly benefiting from the excellent working relationship with the City of River Falls which is recognized as a regional and state leader in this area. The City regularly consults and assists in the inspection of our system. In addition, a PM system is in place to regularly inspect our system. Grounds crew are also very good at inspecting the system after a large rain event.

More information on the campus and city effort can be found at: http://www.uwrf.edu/Facilities/StormwaterManagement.cfm


A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:

The University Center (Student Center) on the UWRF campus has the ability to store nearly 50,000 gallons of rainwater which in turn is treated and used as grey water in the building (flushing of toilets). A one inch rainfall can generate up to 50,000 gallons. Any overflow is released into a retention pond surrounding the building’s parking lot and slowly released back into the groundwater.


Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
270,000 Gallons

A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:

None currently.


A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:

None currently.


A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:

We continue to build on the work of the past year. Past installations include Cascade Avenue, O Lot, and Q Lot/Pay 1. In the past year we have installed bike rack areas that include pavers. Future planning of the Falcon Center likely will include some paver/permeable elements.


A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:

None currently.


A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:

There are several rain gardens on campus. Great examples include the mowable one in front of South Hall as well as the rain garden by Nelson and May Halls. The Nelson and May Hall ones were done in coordination with a faculty member and her class.


A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:

As outlined in UWRF's stormwater report, approximately 60,000 sqft of retention ponds are in use across campus.


A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):

Per Mike Stifter, a rough estimate would be approximately 10,000 sq ft of vegetated swales in use across campus. Notable examples: developed by grounds crews in 2011, bioswales were created around the Maintenance and Central Stores building and in other turf areas.


A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:

UWRF has its own state licensed Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4) designation and also works in close cooperation with the City of River Falls for annual inspections, etc.
Major projects over the 2011 summer include the East Side Landscaping Project (to the North of Maintenance and Central Stores building), which was designed to improve the stormwater management in the area. The new residence hall project has a major component as it was designed to make up for what wasn't done regarding stormwater in the original SouthFork Suites project. The parking lot project for the M lot has major stormwater components with additional catch basins and the addition of a dedicated sand/salt storage building to reduce runoff. The other recent repair work to the SouthFork Suites also addresses previous stormwater shortfalls.

UWRF has met the 2013 stormwater standards (40% total suspended solids) since 2008 and continues to improve on these standards with each additional project.


The website URL where information about the institution’s rainwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The UW System website provides a summary of our work to date and has pdf downloads of the current UWRF WI DNR Annual Report under MS4.
http://www.uwsa.edu/capbud/stormwater.php


The UW System website provides a summary of our work to date and has pdf downloads of the current UWRF WI DNR Annual Report under MS4.
http://www.uwsa.edu/capbud/stormwater.php

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.