George Mason University’s Land Development division within Facilities manages Mason’s stormwater program. This program oversees the stormwater sewer system on Mason’s campuses and permits land disturbance construction projects in compliance with all local, regional, and federal laws and regulations. Please visit the stormwater.gmu.edu for more information. For any additional information, please email masonLD@gmu.edu
There is approximately 45 stormwater BMP facilities on Mason’s campuses to address the campuses’ stormwater needs. The addition of any BMP facilities should follow the university’s master plan and the university’s stormwater master plan. Professional engineering design, funding in place, timeline, and maintenance plan should be submitted to Mason Land Development for evaluation. Approval and implementation process may take 6 months or more.
Please consider helping us to maintain existing facilities. Locations with BMP facilities include the Tidewater and Piedmont Residence Hall buildings area, Potomac Heights, West Campus Parking, Science and Technology Campus, and Point of View in Fairfax County. Please visit stormwater.gmu.edu for maps.
Contact masonLD@gmu.edu for more information.
For compliance with Chesapeake Bay TMDL requirements, Mason implemented approximately 320’ of urban stream restoration on the Fairfax Campus in 2017-2018 and approximately 1,800’ of urban stream restoration on the Fairfax Campus in 2022-2023.
Based on the most recent stream restoration project completed, Mason has achieved and exceeded the TMDL Action Plan reduction requirements. Mason has fulfilled the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Special Condition for completion of 100% of required nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment reductions.
Due to regulatory and compliance requirements, ongoing maintenance, as well are safety concerns with stormwater features, all requests must be reviewed and approved by Mason Facilities. Please email your request to masonLD@gmu.edu Engineering design, funding in place, timeline, and maintenance plan are required in order to be evaluated.
Access to stormwater features and BMPs facilities will require accompaniment by Facilities staff. Please also provide options on desired dates and times for your site visit.
There are several past and ongoing stormwater research projects on our campus.
- The Mason Water Symposium is an event created to encourage collaboration and communication on the topics of water science, policy and education between the Mason community, 4-VA members, K-12, other institutions and the public. More about their events can be found on the Mason Water website.
- Mason Pond and Waterways were Floating Wetlands on Mason Pond was a yearlong project that brought together art and science students and was designed to clean the water as well as to spur ecological awareness. More about the project can be found on the .
- Green Roof on Rappahannock project examines different aspects of environmental sustainability in infrastructure. It is led by faculty and students from various departments.
- The GMU Piedmont Rain Garden is a joint project of George Mason University’s Sustainability LLC, University Sustainability, Office of Facilities Management and Office of Housing. It is a demonstration of how rain gardens can be used to filter stormwater runoff so as to prevent sediment and pollution from running into our streams, rivers and estuaries such as the Chesapeake Bay.
- The Storm Drain Robot was a research project to improve upon the design and creation of a storm drain robot to monitor Mason’s storm water systems as part of the Mechanical engineering senior capstone projects. For more information visit here.
Yes. You can do a stormwater related project as a part of your senior design course, as an Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) scholar, or as a part of a faculty led student team. In addition, Patriot Green Fund (PGF) enables students to conduct research and implement scholarship-related projects that demonstrate environmental leadership and benefit the Mason community and surrounding region. You can apply for PGF funding to support your stormwater related research or infrastructure improvement project. Several RS designated courses also give you an authentic research or creative experience. For information about the Patriot Green Fund visit https://green.gmu.edu/patriot-green-fund/
If you are looking for volunteering opportunities, you can email masonLD@gmu.edu or visit our schedule of events and workshops.
The Mason Pond is a major stormwater feature, a tranquil location for enjoyment and relaxation, and occasionally used for research for classes. Mason Pond was built in 1989 with an average depth of 5 feet. It is regularly measured for its chemistry for compliance and research reasons. Please refer to earlier questions to learn more about research work done on Mason stormwater. Mason Facilities asks that a request of information form be submitted by the professor of the corresponding class.
Mason encourages the community’s contribution in discovering and reporting possible polluted runoff and maintains appropriate staffing to address such reported concerns. If you would like to report suspected non-stormwater discharges, fill out an Incident Report Form, and/or email us at masonLD@gmu.edu
Facilities Land Development division hosts at least two stormwater related events annually. Usually these occur in Fall during the 9/11 Day of Service and in Spring during the Earth Month (April). Please check the schedule of events and workshops.