A-to-Z Index

Policy #1702
Water Use & Leak Prevention

Date of Current Revision: June, 2011
Responsible Officer: Associate Vice President for Business Services

1. PURPOSE

The university has made environmental stewardship a matter of strategic emphasis. If the university's mission is to be fulfilled, students, faculty, staff and the community must develop a campus culture that reflects the importance of effectively managing its natural and social resources. A critical element for the commitment to environmental stewardship is the effective management of water use, which this policy addresses.

2. AUTHORITY

The Board of Visitors has delegated to the president the authority to oversee campus operations and establish university policy.

Virginia Executive Order 82 - June, 2009 - requires that no later than July, 1, 2010, each executive branch agency and institution shall have adopted and posted on its website a suite of policies regarding energy use, water use, waste reduction and travel that will reduce the environmental impacts and costs of those activities.

3. DEFINITIONS

Environmental Stewardship:

The responsibility for environmental sustainability shared by all those whose actions affect the environment.

Sustainability

Sustainability encompasses human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, 2009 http://www.aashe.org/about/about.php) 

Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World (ISNW)

A university department that facilitates sustainability by coordinating environmental stewardship efforts across campus, advocating for priorities and challenging all members of the James Madison University community to think critically about their role in achieving the long-term stewardship of Earth. The ISNW serves as an internal and external point of contact for university-wide environmental stewardship activities.

4. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all university students, faculty, staff, affiliates and visitors.

5. POLICY

Wherever and whenever applicable and feasible, the university will adopt practices that represent making the most efficient and productive use of water. This includes not only reducing water use where feasible, but also reducing the amount of water that is wasted as well as reusing water resources.

6. PROCEDURES

Faculty, staff and students are required to report any plumbing leaks that are observed to the Building Coordinator who will contact Facilities Management Work Control.

Facilities Management will conduct regular reviews of plumbing systems to ensure any leaks are repaired quickly.

Facilities Management will utilize the most efficient use and timing of irrigation when watering campus vegetation and landscaping. All automatic sprinklers will have moisture sensors to ensure the most efficient use of water.

Facilities Management will, where feasible, replace existing landscaping with drought-resistant grass, plants, shrubs, and trees.

Facilities Management will use WaterSense fixtures as required by the Bureau of Capital Outlay Management.

7. RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees are responsible for reporting plumbing leaks to Building Coordinators and/or Facilities Management.

Facilities Management is responsible for the general oversight and application of this policy.

8. SANCTIONS

Sanctions will be commensurate with the severity and/or frequency of the offense and may include termination of employment.

9. EXCLUSIONS

Selected athletic fields are excluded.

10. INTERPRETATION

Authority to interpret this policy rests with the president and is generally delegated to the Associate Vice President for Business Services.

Previous version: October 2009
Approved by the President: October, 2009

Index Terms

Environment
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Sustainability
The Institute for the Stewardship of the Natural World