Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.47
Liaison Pamela Mischen
Submission Date March 5, 2020

STARS v2.2

Binghamton University
OP-21: Water Use

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.93 / 4.00 Sandy DeJohn
Utilities Manager / Sustainability Coordinator
Physical Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Level of ”Physical Risk Quantity” for the institution’s main campus as indicated by the World Resources Institute Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas:
Low

Part 1. Reduction in potable water use per person 

Total water withdrawal (potable and non-potable combined):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total water withdrawal 137,509,393 Gallons 156,907,000 Gallons

Potable water use:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use 136,632,700 Gallons 156,907,000 Gallons

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Period July 1, 2018 June 30, 2019
Baseline Period July 1, 2004 June 30, 2005

If end date of the baseline year/period is 2004 or earlier, provide:

A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
Binghamton University started a green revolving fund program in 2006. 2004-2005 data are used as our baseline in order to help us gauge the progress made since program inception.

Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 7,224 6,284
Number of employees resident on-site 33 28
Number of other individuals resident on-site 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 16,930 13,860
Full-time equivalent of employees 2,512.20 1,950
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 96 0
Weighted campus users 16,323.90 13,435.50

Potable water use per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use per weighted campus user 8,370.10 Gallons 11,678.54 Gallons

Percentage reduction in potable water use per weighted campus user from baseline:
28.33

Part 2. Reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area

Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area 6,653,640 Gross square feet 4,966,342 Gross square feet

Potable water use per unit of floor area:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use per unit of floor area 20.54 Gallons per square foot 31.59 Gallons per square foot

Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
35.00

Part 3. Reduction in total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds 

Area of vegetated grounds:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Vegetated grounds 1,081.30 Acres 191 Acres

Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds 127,170.44 Gallons per acre 821,502.62 Gallons per acre

Percentage reduction in total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds from baseline:
84.52

Optional Fields 

A brief description of the institution's water-related behavior change initiatives:
---

A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
Two of our buildings were constructed with rain water capturing and retention systems. The grey water is treated and used for non-potable uses such as cooling tower makeup and toilet flushing.

A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
All restrooms undergoing renovation are retrofitted with ultra low flow (0.5 gpm) with automatic shutoff valves. All new buildings are designed and constructed with the most water efficient fixtures based on the latest energy code.

Website URL where information about the institution’s water conservation and efficiency efforts 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.