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Water

Many believe that maintaining sufficient clean drinking water is the most important environmental issue facing our time. Indeed, the United Nations has declared 2005-2015 the international “Water for Life” decade and estimates that two out of ten people globally do not have access to safe drinking water. While water is abundant in the Portland Metro Region, maintaining the health and bounty of the Bull Run Watershed’s rivers, lakes, and streams is an important issue not only for people in the region, but for the entire ecosystem of which we are part. Conserving water and minimizing pollutants that trickle downstream from stormwater, sewage, and other types of waste water will help protect this precious resource.

What PSU is doing to lessen our impact:

  • Rainwater harvesting systems in Stephen Epler Hall and the ASRC reuse captured rainwater for toilet flushing and irrigation, reducing dependency on potable water.

  • Water efficient fixtures, dual-flush toilets and waterless urinals can be found in the following locations:

    • University Place Hotel
    • Broadway Housing Building
    • Epler Hall

    • Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology

  • Stormwater planters slow and filter runoff reducing the rate, quantity and pollutants before water flows back to the river/watershed.  Planter locations:  

    • 12th & 4th Avenues
    • Montgomery Green Street 
    • Urban Plaza
    • Science Research & Teaching Center (SRTC)

    • Walk of the Heroines

  • Ecoroofs are an aesthetically pleasing way to enhance the lifespan of a roof, reduce the building’s stormwater runoff, and reduce energy consumption by mitigating rooftop heat loss in cold weather and maintaining cooler indoor temperatures during warmer months. PSU has Ecoroofs on:

    • Broadway Building
    • Engineering Building
    • Native American Student & Community Center
    • Blumel Hall Bike Shelter
    • Ecoroof Research:
      • Ecoroof & solar panel research project, SRTC
      • Shattuck Hall Ecological Learning Plaza
  • Pervious pavers replace conventional asphalt or concrete paving, allowing stormwater to percolate through areas that would otherwise be impervious to the soil below. They reduce erosion, help filter pollutants, and help recharge groundwater. Locations:
    • Native American Student & Community Center
    • Biology Research Greenhouses
    • ASRC 5th floor patio

    • Shattuck Hall Ecological Learning Plaza

  • Bioswales contain plants that filter stormwater runoff, helping to remove oil, sediment, exhaust, dirt, and chemicals. Locations:

    • Helen Gordon

    • Stephen Epler Courtyard

  • Landscaping practices such as manual pest controls, only organic fertilizers, and greatly reduced pesticide use are utilized to help reduce pollutants in stormwater. See the Land Use page for more information.