| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.37 |
| Liaison | Jillian Leach |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
California State University, Chico
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.00 / 5.00 |
Gregory
Wiggins Climate & Energy Analyst Facilities Management & Services |
"---"
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:
Medium to High
Part 1. Reduction in potable water use per person
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal | 199,671.63 Cubic meters | 311,601.66 Cubic meters |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 41,880.60 Cubic meters | 181,720.46 Cubic meters |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | June 30, 2020 | July 1, 2021 |
| Baseline Period | June 30, 2018 | July 1, 2019 |
If end date of the baseline year/period is 2004 or earlier, provide:
Water use baseline was set at the beginning of the three-year time period. Given the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is drastically below the on-campus well water usage of non-potable irrigation water. FY18-19 depicts the closest water usage of the campus during pre-pandemic campus operations.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 1,882 | 2,261 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 71 | 70 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 14,231 | 15,835 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,460 | 1,457 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 12,256.50 | 13,551.75 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 3.42 Cubic meters | 13.41 Cubic meters |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per weighted campus user from baseline:
74.52
Part 2. Reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area | 304,153.46 Gross square meters | 281,209.02 Gross square meters |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 0.14 Cubic meters per square meter | 0.65 Cubic meters per square meter |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
78.69
Part 3. Reduction in total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 34.80 Hectares | 34.80 Hectares |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 5,737.21 Cubic meters per hectare | 8,953.32 Cubic meters per hectare |
Percentage reduction in total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds from baseline:
35.92
Optional Fields
In FY 20 - 21, the CSU Chico Campus Sustainability Water Subcommittee accomplished the following:
1. The Committee worked with Cal Water to clean up the Chico State accounts—a few were not being tracked while others were not actually Chico State properties.
2. All campus hydration stations and water fountains were cataloged and sent to CMT to be added to the campus interactive map. CMT staff have multiple projects underway, and this request is toward the bottom of their project queue.
3. FMS plumbers salvaged numerous low-flow plumbing fixtures ahead of the Physical Sciences Building demolition, using them to replace outdated equipment across campus—$8,200 in new fixture costs were saved, and water savings are projected to be 128,00 gallons annually.
4. SFAC funds were awarded to student Amanda Moylan for her project to capture HVAC condensation and deliver it to the landscape as irrigation rather than losing it down the drain.
5. Irrigation upgrades were made across campus to better monitor existing systems and to consolidate 20-plus irrigation zones into the central control network. New controllers at the Science Building and Albert E. Warrens Reception Center allow for automatic adjustments that improve irrigation efficiency and plant health. Improved communication antennas were added to the sports fields, improving efficiency and reducing downtime.
6. Chico State embraced the CSU single-use plastic ban policy and eliminated single-use bottles
from the 2021 Commencement ceremonies! In partnership with Chico State Green campus and University Public Events, reusable souvenir bottles were given to grads. The campus’s Water Monster portable hydration stations made their debut to refill bottles with no wasted water or single-use plastic bottles.
7. Crews from the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve were commissioned to clean trash and debris from Big Chico Creek as well as remove invasive plant species ahead of the spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies.
1. The Committee worked with Cal Water to clean up the Chico State accounts—a few were not being tracked while others were not actually Chico State properties.
2. All campus hydration stations and water fountains were cataloged and sent to CMT to be added to the campus interactive map. CMT staff have multiple projects underway, and this request is toward the bottom of their project queue.
3. FMS plumbers salvaged numerous low-flow plumbing fixtures ahead of the Physical Sciences Building demolition, using them to replace outdated equipment across campus—$8,200 in new fixture costs were saved, and water savings are projected to be 128,00 gallons annually.
4. SFAC funds were awarded to student Amanda Moylan for her project to capture HVAC condensation and deliver it to the landscape as irrigation rather than losing it down the drain.
5. Irrigation upgrades were made across campus to better monitor existing systems and to consolidate 20-plus irrigation zones into the central control network. New controllers at the Science Building and Albert E. Warrens Reception Center allow for automatic adjustments that improve irrigation efficiency and plant health. Improved communication antennas were added to the sports fields, improving efficiency and reducing downtime.
6. Chico State embraced the CSU single-use plastic ban policy and eliminated single-use bottles
from the 2021 Commencement ceremonies! In partnership with Chico State Green campus and University Public Events, reusable souvenir bottles were given to grads. The campus’s Water Monster portable hydration stations made their debut to refill bottles with no wasted water or single-use plastic bottles.
7. Crews from the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve were commissioned to clean trash and debris from Big Chico Creek as well as remove invasive plant species ahead of the spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
In recent months, a collection of innovative, water-wise efforts has been launched to ensure the campus maintains its distinctive, leafy grandeur while staying true to the University’s commitment to sustainability.
Bioswales:
Rain runoff is directed to the bioswale from the Student Services Center (SSC) roof and Yolo Hall, the Meriam Library south plaza, and courtyard between the buildings. The features hold water for several hours until it percolates through the soil into a storm drain or can be stored in a cistern for future use. Vegetation and rocks help filter out silt, pollutants, and other debris.
Bioswales:
Rain runoff is directed to the bioswale from the Student Services Center (SSC) roof and Yolo Hall, the Meriam Library south plaza, and courtyard between the buildings. The features hold water for several hours until it percolates through the soil into a storm drain or can be stored in a cistern for future use. Vegetation and rocks help filter out silt, pollutants, and other debris.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
A major housing development within Whitney hall occurred in summer 2021. Old plumbing systems were retrofitted with new low-flow and automated plumbing fixtures aimed to save water. The affects of these water saving measures are still being monitored through FY22.
Water conscious plumbing fixtures were installed throughout campus saving approximately 400,000 gallons per year from baseline year to now.
Water conscious plumbing fixtures were installed throughout campus saving approximately 400,000 gallons per year from baseline year to now.
Website URL where information about the institution’s water conservation and efficiency efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Water usage during FY21 was exceptionally low due to the virtual nature of campus curriculum and operations.
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.