| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.62 |
| Liaison | Michael Kensler |
| Submission Date | Jan. 11, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Auburn University
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Tom
McCauley Environmental Programs Manager Risk Management & Safety |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
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
None
A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:
Through the continual implementation of minimum control measures, the Auburn University Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) strives to implement measures on campus to address both water quantity and quality on campus.
Through Public Education & Outreach and Public Involvement & Participation measures, facilitators of the SWMP and the Parkerson Mill Creek Watershed Management Plan recognize the importance of communicating with and engaging the campus community to create better understanding of stormwater management principles. These efforts include the development of informational fact sheets, workshops, and creek clean up events.
Through Illicit Discharge and Detection control measures, the SWMP commits to modeling stormwater outfalls and a comprehensive structural assessment of stormwater conveyance systems to identify opportunities for improvement. Additionally, since Auburn University's Parkerson Mill Creek is impaired for pathogen bacteria, bacteriological monitoring is performed to identify potential sources of bacteria.
Through the Construction Site Stormwater Management control measures AU has revised the design standards and construction specifications to ensure the most effective strategies and techniques are implemented on all university construction projects.
Through Post Construction & Redevelopment stormwater management control measures, AU has developed a Post Construction Runoff Control Plan which will establish controls to prevent or minimize post-construction water quality impacts. AU has also developed a long-term maintenance plan for such controls to ensure that both structural and non-structural devices are working as designed.
Finally, through the implementation of Pollution Prevention and & Good Housekeeping control measures, AU performs a variety of routine operational inspection and maintenance efforts to reduce stormwater pollutant loads. These efforts include such activities as a parking lot and street cleaning program, a stormwater conveyance cleaning program, a fleet maintenance program, maintenance of waste & recycling collection areas, oil and fuel center inspection and maintenance programs, and pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer storage, use and disposal programs.
The Parkerson Mill Creek Watershed Management Plan goals are to:
1. Meet the water quality standards assigned to Parkerson Mill Creek.
2. Aid the City of Auburn, Auburn University and Lee County not only to meet their compliance goals as a MS IV Phase II community but also to serve as an example to other municipalities facing similar challenges and responsibilities.
3. Restore aquatic habitat and function in Parkerson Mill Creek to support its designated fish and wildlife use.
4. Protect green space in planning for the future.
None
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
None
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:
The AU Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) was developed in general accordance with the guidelines provided in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 122.26(d) incorporated by reference in the Alabama Administrative Code 335-6 as administered by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and NPDES ALR040030 Phase II General Permit effective February 1, 2011. The purpose of this SWMP is to describe AU'sty and its operation, and identify the Best Management Practices (BMPs) to be utilized to reduce the discharge of pollutants from Auburn University’s main campus to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) to protect water quality and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA).
None
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
One 500-gallon and 3 connected 55-gallon cisterns that harvest rainwater from a building roof are currently in place at the Davis Arboretum. The rainwater captured is used to refill the Little Cahaba exhibit or to water plants. In a bog at the arboretum are an underground 1400 gallon tank and a 1700 gallon above ground tank installed in early 2011. Both use water captured from the shed/outdoor classroom roof to operate the water feature and keep the bog hydrated. The underground tank has a pump that is powered by a solar panel; the above ground tank uses gravity. Other cisterns are installed at the AU Raptor Center, and the Architecture Shop Building.
None
Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
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None
A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:
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None
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
The CASIC research building and the student Recreation and Wellness Center each have green roof sections.
None
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
Porous pavement is used on sidewalks within the University’s arboretum property and around dormitory parking areas.
None
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
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None
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
AU has installed vegetated rain gardens in and around parking areas and around buildings on campus. These gardens have provided an aesthetically pleasing landscape as well as sound water quality and quantity benefits.
None
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
A retention pond in Agricultural Heritage Park receives stormwater runoff from nearby campus lands and roads.
None
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
A recent renovation to the courtyard of the Corley Building, which houses the Biosystems Engineering program, features bioswales to capture/treat stormwater runoff.
None
A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
The university completed a restoration of an on-campus segment of Parkerson Mill Creek. This restoration project daylighted the creek, stablized the banks, and re-vegetated a portion of the riparian corridor. Parkerson Mill Creek receives direct runoff from a significant portion of campus. These measures should help improve overall stream water quality.
The university also features a stormwater best management practices self-guided tour through the Arboretum.
None
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:
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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.