Princeton University Office of Sustainability

Updated: August 2008

Developing a campus stormwater master plan is the first step in implementing a comprehensive approach to management, and a key to establishing goals, strategies, and parameters for study. The following master plan framework is currently under review by the university.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive stormwater strategy that aligns with campus-wide sustainability measures
• Leverage impact of development on local streams, regional watersheds and natural resources into opportunities for improved natural function
• Create capacity on a campus-wide basis by implementing strategic stormwater projects

• Build on good historic practices and updates to local stormwater regulations to enhance the campus-wide stormwater management strategy
• Evaluate existing conditions and model future anticipated conditions based on growth; identifying opportunities for restoration, water detention and infiltration, reduction of impervious surface area, reduction of peak flows, water quality improvements, and detention basin improvements
• Implement site-specific low impact development techniques to the greatest extent practicable
  • reduce or minimize impervious cover and preserve open space
  • reduce or minimize peak rate and volume
  • provide water quality treatment to remove Total Suspended Solids using landscape based solutions
• Explore opportunities for stormwater management strategies to serves as edcuational, research and recreational assets for campus and the surrounding community
   

Rain Gardens:

• Chemistry (under construction)
• Neuroscience (under construction)

Green Roofs:

• Butler College, 50% of roof area to be "green" with conventional roofs as contrast for academic study (under construction)
• Operational Research and Financial Engineering (ORFE)
   

Student water consumption will be reduced by an estimated 9 million gallons per year through these simple and cost-effective retrofits:

• Shower heads and sink aerators replaced in all dorms by fall 2008
• Toilet flush valves in all dorms replaced with dual flush units by fall of 2008
   

New Chemistry (under construction)

• Rainwater collection and storage from rooftops for reuse in building toilets
• Low flow fixtures

Butler College (under construction)

• Rainwater collection and storage from rooftops for irrigation reuse in outdoor amphitheater
• Low flow fixtures
   

• Maintain university tradition of non-irrigation of campus, with exceptions including establishment of new plantings, a limited number of specialty plantings, and athletic fields
• Maintain focus on plantings that require minimal maintenance and water over time
• Increase the use of rain gardens as landscape features
• Evaluate the installation of soil moisture sensor equipment tied in to athletic field water systems

more updates coming...