This is an optional Innovation & Leadership (IL) credit. IL credits recognize institutions that are seeking innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and demonstrating sustainability leadership in ways that are not otherwise captured in STARS. Scoring in the Innovation and Leadership section is capped at 10 bonus points total.
Credit Language
IL 28: Water Footprint or Balance – version 3.0
Questions & Answers
How has this credit changed between STARS Version 2 and Version 3?
Minimal changes have been made. A comprehensive list of differences can be found in the STARS 3.0 Summary of changes.
Resources, Templates & Tools
- Net Zero Water Toolkit – Brendle Group
- Water Balance Toolset for ArcGIS
- Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) tool
- Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management Toolbox
- Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management – Water Balance Estimation
Suggestions for Institutions
- Work with your institution’s water management team(s) and similar to determine whether a water footprint has been recently published, and/or to consider conducting such an analysis.
Potential Data Quality Issues
- To count, institutions must publish a water footprint or a sustainable water balance assessment within the previous three years.