| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.38 |
| Liaison | Olivia Shehan |
| Submission Date | Nov. 13, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wellesley College
OP-22: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.51 / 5.00 |
Dorothea
Von Herder Sustainability Coordinator Facilties |
Level of ”Physical Risk QUANTITY” for the institution’s main campus as indicated by the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas:
Total water use (potable and non-potable combined):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water use | 98,810,190 Gallons | 124,769,000 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 82,212,891 Gallons | 124,769,000 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | Jan. 1, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
| Baseline Year | Jan. 1, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2009 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
A baseline year was adopted in 2009 as part of an aggressive partnership with the DEP to reduce the college's water withdrawal. This was also a targeted priority even before the Office of Sustainability was established.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,069 | 2,190 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 15 | 15 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 2,419 | 2,237 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 1,141 | 1,003 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 3,191 | 2,981.25 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 25,763.99 Gallons | 41,851.24 Gallons |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per weighted campus user from baseline:
Gross floor area of building space:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area | 2,596,103 Gross square feet | 2,462,855 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 31.67 Gallons per square foot | 50.66 Gallons per square foot |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 3 of this credit? (reductions in total water use per acre/hectare of vegetated grounds):
Area of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 470 Acres | 468 Acres |
Total water use (potable + non-potable) per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water use per unit of vegetated grounds | 210,234.45 Gallons per acre | 266,600.43 Gallons per acre |
Percentage reduction in total water use per unit of vegetated grounds from baseline:
A brief description of the institution's water-related behavior change initiatives, e.g. initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices such as signage and competitions:
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
The majority of irrigation on main campus utilizes water from Lake Waban and not from our potable supply. While irrigation does use water the water is being used in the same general area it is drawn from and the water not taken up by plants or lost through evaporation is returned to this system. The Nehoiden Golf Course is now irrigating with water drawn from a well installed on the golf course property in 2012. While this does not meet the criteria of the credit it is important to note.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives (e.g. building retrofits):
All shower heads and faucets on campus are low-flow. All washing machines are high efficiency, both in terms of water use and electrical consumption. Dual flush toilets have been installed in the chapel and some dorms.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.