Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 26.64
Liaison Adam Maurer
Submission Date Jan. 16, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

South Seattle College
OP-23: Stormwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Ian Siadak
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of the Vice Chancellor
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a policy, plan, and/or strategies to reduce stormwater runoff from new development projects? :
Yes

Does the institution have a policy, plan, and/or strategies to reduce stormwater runoff from ongoing campus operations? :
Yes

A brief description of the institution's stormwater management initiatives:
Rain gardens to slow and absorb rainwater. Underground detention system for runoff from south parking lot and Olympic bldg roof filters runoff before entering storm drain. For roofs and landscapes there are 4 tanks (capacity of 1k-2k gal/tank) all underground. Tanks are inspected annually.

The website URL where information about the institution's stormwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
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Does the institution have a living or vegetated roof?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's living or vegetated roof:
The first rooftop garden is at the Georgetown campus (approx. 50 ft. x25 ft.). Planted with seedums which are able to hold water even during dry season. Currently irrigated but will cut irrigation after plant establishment. Using chemical and mechanical control for clover removal.

Does the institution have porous paving?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's porous paving:
Also at the Georgetown campus (bldg. C, approx. 12 ft. x 75 ft.). This is a grasscrete driveway which is made of a fire truck rated plastic grid w/grass in between grid openings. Is mowed only, not fertilized. This lawn is not as thick as a standard lawn.

Does the institution have retention ponds?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's retention ponds:
Also at the Georgetown campus (approx. 250 ft. x 50 ft.). The retention pond handles half of the roofs and all stormwater for this campus. It is seven years old and the overflow pump has never been used. There has been only 1-2 ft of water during storms. After capture, the water seeps naturally into ground. There is an annual inspection of the overflow pump.

Does the institution have stone swales?:
No

A brief description of the institution's stone swales:
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Does the institution have vegetated swales?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution's vegetated swales:
Grass ditch and trees direct water to catch basins including underground tanks. Catch basins filter naturally.

Does the institution employ any other technologies or strategies for stormwater management?:
Yes

A brief description of other technologies or strategies for stormwater management employed:
Catch basins, roofs, & parking lots are inspected and cleaned for the removal of excess dirt, sand, and debris. They are looking to improve by adding above ground rain garden and scrubber system (filtered using plants). Also worked with City of Seattle to install rain barrels for redistribution of storm water into gardens.

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The riding mowers use biodiesel. The security trucks and mini trucks used for grounds keeping are both electric.

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.