Environmental Studies Department

Water Efficiency: Goals

Goal 1. Reduce potable water consumption within proposed green structure as well as within all other structures on the campuses.

1.1 Use water efficient fixtures and dry fixtures, repair leaks to ensure efficiency, and reuse storm water or grey water for non-potable applications such as urinals or toilets. These will control the consumption of potable water.

1.1.1    Lavatory Faucets: Install faucets with flow restrictors allowing maximum of 1 gallon per minute (GPM), EPACT standard is 2.5 GPM. SJU plans to install flow restrictors during the summer of 2004.

1.1.2    Kitchen Faucets: Maximum flow of 2.5 GPM, EPACT standard is 2.5 GPM. SJU plans to install flow restrictors this summer (2004).

1.1.3    Toilets: If possible install dry fixture urinals and dry fixture toilets to eliminate water use (Minnesota Department of Health plumbing code: 4715.0330). EPACT standard is 1.5 gallons per flush. 60 percent of present toilets on SJU campus are older toilets and use 2.5 gallons per flush. The other 40 percent meet EPACT standards of 1.5 gallons per flush.

1.1.4    Showerheads: Install low flow showerheads with maximum GPM of 2.5, EPA standard is 2.5 GPM. This summer, SJU is going to install water efficient showerheads to meet this standard in some buildings. Our goal is for all buildings to have these water efficient fixtures.

1.1.5 Washing Machines: Must use less than 25 gallons per load.

1.1.6 Dish Washers: Must use less than 10 gallons per load.

1.2 Educate people about water efficiency and how it is practical and effective to use water efficiently, especially on a campus. Changing or practicing more efficient personal water consumption behaviors is a good place to start. For example, by regularly checking for leaks, taking short showers, and shutting off the water while brushing our teeth, we can greatly reduce total water consumption.

Goal 2. Eliminate potable water consumption for irrigation and other grounds maintenance purposes.

2.1 Conduct a soil and climate analysis to determine appropriate natural vegetation to be planted on the building site , because landscape design can have an impact upon irrigation requirements.

2.1.1 Use natural vegetation for landscaping purposes on the site to reduce irrigation needs (Xeriscaping is an example of landscaping which uses mainly native species so irrigation is not necessarily needed).

2.2 Use grey water or collected storm water for irrigation purposes (DOH plumbing code: 4715.0330).

2.2.1    Use on site grey water systems such as constructed wetlands, swales and sediment control ponds with drainage basins on site.

2.2.2   Capture rainwater from impervious surfaces on site to be used for irrigation purposes.

2.2.3    Install efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation or moisture sensor irrigation; avoid installation of traditional landscape irrigation systems.

Goal 3. Reduce off-site treatment of wastewater.

3.1 Using storm water or grey water for irrigation purposes can reduce this demand. Additionally, reducing the amount of water provided by the city can be done through the use of composting toilet s, waterless urinals, and efficient water fixtures within the building (DOH plumbing code: 4715.0330). Storm water or grey water can also be used for irrigation purposes to reduce this demand. Treating waste water on site also helps to reduce this demand.

3.1.1 Reduce use of water provided by the city helps to through efficient or dry fixtures OR treat 100 percent of waste water on site .

3.1.2 Standards for efficient and dry fixtures are previously stated under Goal 1 (See Goal 1).

Goal 4. Limit disruption of natural water flows.

4.1 Minimize storm water run-off, increase site infiltration, and reduce water contamination.

4.1.1    Use permeable paving on sidewalks and other surfaces which need pavement to increase absorption and reduce run off.

4.1.2    Place paved surfaces favorable to the geology of the site to reduce storm water velocity and increase absorption.

4.1.3    Select a site which minimizes disturbance to natural water flow (see section on siting for more details).

Goal 5. Conduct research on current water quality of lakes and rivers being affected by practices on SJU /CSB campuses.

5.1 Understanding how our sewage affects ecosystems and neighboring water systems is an important step in considering establishing effective sewage practices.

5.1.1 Use affective waste water treatment s that cause no net decline to neighboring water systems.

5.1.2 Conducting soil analysis and having a better understanding of general landscape design and the practice we hope to incorporate would be very beneficial to becoming water efficient. Soil analysis and climate analysis can be conducted by chemistry or biology classes which are oriented towards such research.

Green Building Plan