The university has a sustainable landscape implementation plan to conserve resources and increase carbon sequestration and canopy cover while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and maintenance that is required to maintain landscapes. The guiding principles of the plan are that: strategies shall be practical and incrementally implementable as resources allow; strategies shall promote economic sustainability and operational self-sufficiency; strategies shall aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration; strategies shall aim to ecologically intensify campus while conserving resources; strategies shall aim to educate and engage the Penn State community.

Yes, Penn State Extension has a specific section dedicated to water supply and conservation. On Extension’s “Benefits from Water Conservation” webpage there are articles and videos topics such as conscious water usage and water education for youth. This free resource is available to the public as a way to promote conscious water usage in the wider community.

Penn State has ways that it promotes water conscious usage on campus. For example, many restroom facilities have the “less water” flush option and sinks that have timed spout usage. The Penn State Sustainable Lab Program promotes water conscious usage by implementing aerators on lab sinks to decrease the amount of water usage in lab spaces. Additionally, Penn State has a Water Dashboard to raise awareness of water consumption and to hopefully decrease water consumption over time.

Yes, the Penn State Water Resources Center provides research that local, national, and global governments can reference on challenges regarding water security and sustainability.

Yes, the Living Filter is an example of a sustainable extraction technology, as the filter recharges the regional water table using treated effluent.

No, Penn State does not have public statement on conservation of water off campus. However, Penn State is engaged in multiple areas of water research, education, and outreach, which has impacts that extend beyond the reach of campus in areas of public health, environmental conservation, resilient communities, public policy, and innovation in technology. Information about this can be found HERE.

Yes, Penn State Extension provides a wealth of information on good water management. The information can be found under the “Water” tab under the drop down selection labeled “Menu”

There is no reuse of water across the university, however, the Living Filter recycles about 475 million gallons of treated wastewater into the local water system.

Penn State University Park has a unique water reuse system called the Living Filter which takes treated effluent from the Penn State Waste Water Treatment Plant to irrigate a 600 acre plot of land. Discharging effluent into the Living Filter recharges the region’s water table and recycles the treated effluent. Additionally, there is an ongoing effort to install “purple pipes” which carries treated wastewater to meet irrigation and industrial water demands.

Yes, Penn State Extension provides a wealth of information on good water management. Topics include pond and wastewater management, urban and residential stormwater, watershed protection and restoration, and Conservation Practices and Training.

The information can be found under the “Water” tab under the drop down selection labeled “Menu”.

Yes. Penn State has processes in place to prevent polluted water from entering the water system. Policy SY40, Disposal of Pollutants in Sanitary Systems (created 2011, revised 2023), prohibits the disposal of materials that could potentially harm the public to be drained into the Penn State Sanitary System. Additionally, Penn State OPP has a stormwater management plan that minimizes the amount of pollutants that enter stormwater drains, and has MS4 permits across most campuses. Penn State University Park has its own wastewater treatment plant to prevent polluted water from entering the water system.

Yes. Water usage is monitored across all Penn State campuses on the “Water Dashboard” on Penn State Sustainability’s website.

Yes, the Penn State Water Resources Center provides research that local, national, and global governments can reference on challenges regarding water security and sustainability.