PENN STATE UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE WATER RESOURCES FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY PARK CAMPUS

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1 PENN STATE UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE WATER RESOURCES FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY PARK CAMPUS

The University has developed its water supply system such that it does not require filtration to meet all State and Federal

2 POTABLE WATER The University is a large landowner with extensive facilities and responsibilities. At University Park alone, we supply over one billion gallons of potable groundwater annually to over 41,000 customers. The University has developed its water supply system such that it does not require filtration to meet all State and Federal drinking water standards. Protection of the groundwater is one of the primary reasons the University has developed such high standards for water resources management.

WASTEWATER The University owns and operates a wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system that serves the University Park Campus and parts of the Borough of State College.

3 WASTEWATER The University owns and operates a wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system that serves the University Park Campus and parts of the Borough of State College. It treats on average 2,600,000 gallons per day. In the 1960 s, Penn State started research on the potential for terrestrial ecosystems to renovate treated wastewater. Since 1983, Penn State recycles all of this treated wastewater by irrigating farm crops - forest areas on soils that varies in depth over 100 feet. No surface runoff occurs to any stream thereby promoting groundwater recharge.

STORMWATER Fox Hollow West Campus Main Campus Bathgate The University promotes the use of conservation design practices that preserve and use natural critical hydrologic areas.

4 STORMWATER Fox Hollow West Campus Main Campus Bathgate The University promotes the use of conservation design practices that preserve and use natural critical hydrologic areas. OPP extensively monitors all of its watersheds. The University s four primary drainage basins shown here are all differently managed based on the density of development, tributary basin, soils, and geology. For example, the Fox Hollow Drainage Basin, while over 27% impervious, generates surface runoff equivalent to less than 3% of the annual precipitation.

SUSTAINABILITY The University has defined nearly 500 acres of critical areas within its property as Water Resources Preservation areas (in blue), which are defined as drainageways, streams, Zone 1

5 SUSTAINABILITY The University has defined nearly 500 acres of critical areas within its property as Water Resources Preservation areas (in blue), which are defined as drainageways, streams, Zone 1 wellhead protection areas, natural infiltration areas, major sinkholes and depressions, detention basins, and other lands that have a significant impact on the University s water resources, such as Millbrook Marsh and the Big Hollow drainageway.

The Physical Plant staff teach water resources training sessions to

6 The Physical Plant staff routinely presents guest lectures on water resources to University classes. The Physical Plant staff teach water resources training sessions to developers, consultants, and State agencies. The Physical Plant staff presents papers at conferences on cutting edge research and findings.

The Physical Plant staff sits on University graduate committees.

7 Slab Cabin Cross Vane Demonstration Project The Physical Plant constructs experimental facilities or demonstration projects for testing and evaluation. The Physical Plant staff sits on University graduate committees. The Physical Plant provides funding to graduate students analyzing University facilities, and works cooperatively with numerous University faculty. OPP Vegetable Cellar Green Roof Under Construction

8 The Physical Plant conducts extensive water resources research and is a leader in surface runoff in carbonate watersheds. The Physical Plant collects and maintains data from over 20 surface water gages. The Physical Plant maintains a GIS database of water quality data with over 250,000 records. The Physical Plant participates in and facilitates wastewater and stormwater oversight committees, which consist of the University faculty with proven track records of expertise in water and natural resources.

All stormwater management systems are made to emulate the natural closed

provide the best possible renovation of stormwater.

at Orchard Road B) Fox Hollow Low-Head Weir B) Engineered Berm at CBL

Bioswale The six photographs to the left show examples of natural systems

soils. Pair C-C: Engineered Bioswales using engineered soils.

9 All stormwater management systems are made to emulate the natural closed depressions, which have existed locally for thousands of years and provide the best possible renovation of stormwater. A) Major Closed Depression at Mitchell Tract A) Minor Closed Depression at Orchard Road B) Fox Hollow Low-Head Weir B) Engineered Berm at CBL Parking Lot C) Grade Circle Engineered Bioswale A C) SALA Engineered Bioswale The six photographs to the left show examples of natural systems at University Park Campus ranging from: Pair A-A: Natural stable closed depressions. Pair B-B: Engineered berms to induce low head ponding on undisturbed soils. Pair C-C: Engineered Bioswales using engineered soils. The University s Office of Physical Plant does not promote or endorse any manmade structural best management practice that replaces the biologically active soils with gravel or inert materials.

10 For more information on Penn State s stormwater program or initiatives contact: Larry Fennessey, Ph.D., P.E. The Pennsylvania State University Office of Physical Plant University Park, PA Ph: (814) laf8@psu.edu

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