Water Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out objectives that the University needs to meet to reduce its water use, thereby limiting its consumption of a resource under considerable pressure.

 Scope

The policy applies to all students, staff, consultants, and contractors.

Definitions:

Greywater Use – Wastewater (excluding sewage) which is most used in flushing toilets to avoid the use of freshwater for this purpose.

Rainwater Harvesting – The collection and storage of rainwater via roof capture and storage tank systems. The water can be re-used in toilet flushing or irrigation.

Whole Life Costing – Often referred to as lifecycle cost analysis. In this context WLC is defined as an assessment of the financial benefit of a particular technology or building component based on its impact on operational costs and not just the up-front capital cost.

Policy Vision

Galgotias University has a moral, financial, and legislative responsibility to reduce water use through efficient practices. By reducing water use, the University reduces its consumption of a resource that is already coming under considerable pressure. From a global perspective, there is a lack of clean, accessible water. This risk is clearly represented in the Sustainable Development Goals which were adopted in 2015 and set a series of targets for 2030. These targets address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity and peace and justice. There is a goal linking to the conservation and efficient use of water:

Sub-objectives of this goal include substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity’.

Policy Principles

The principles underpinning the Water Policy are set out as below. These principles guide the policy statement. 

Monitoring and Measuring Water Use

Using existing sub-meters, the University will monitor water consumption at the entrance point to site and buildings. Additional sub-meters will be installed where there is a lack of visibility. Major water consuming equipment will also be monitored. By understanding the usage trends and patterns, abnormal usage will be identified including areas suspected of having leaks.

Compliance

The University will ensure that its operations meet and where practicable, exceed the legislative requirements pertaining to water conservation and management.

Conserving Water

The University will evaluate water using equipment including washroom facilities and where practicable, replace equipment with water efficient equipment. This is also particularly relevant in halls of residence. For example, ageing washroom/bathroom facilities use considerably more water than modern fittings and, in some instances, have the facility to be left running. Replacing such fixtures via a targeted programme of work across the University and halls of residence will reduce water use.

Greywater / Rainwater Harvesting

Where practicable, the University will consider the capture and re-use of water in new buildings via systems of greywater and rainwater harvesting. The systems will be evaluated on a whole life costing basis which also considers the carbon cost of pumping water from collection tanks.Building and Maintenance Standards

The University’s development plans mean the construction and refurbishment of buildings across the estate. In the construction of new buildings, it is essential that the best standards of water efficiency are pursued to minimise water use and associated costs over the operational lifetime. This process begins at the project inception in the assessment of proposed water reduction technologies.

Good standards of maintenance are fundamental to reducing water use on site. The importance

of repairing leaks as they are identified cannot be understated due to the cumulative effect of this water use. Maintenance teams frequently visit back of house areas and are therefore crucial in identifying leaks which would otherwise go unnoticed.

Engagement and Collaboration

Key to success in reducing water use is the engagement with both staff and students across the University. On a day-to-day basis, staff and students influence water use. The University will establish behavioral change campaigns for staff and students to educate and empower them to act in reducing water use.

Collaboration will also follow in the form of supporting student and academic projects by providing water data and where required, expertise whilst facilitating the implementation of

onsite-demonstrator projects. This will enhance the University’s research bids by providing on-site projects whilst contributing to an increased chance of research success.

Policy Statement

University recognizes that many aspects of its operations use water and is therefore committed to reducing water use and promoting water efficiency. The University has set a target of a 20 % reduction in water use to be delivered by the end of the academic year. All staff, students, are expected to collaborate to deliver water consumption reductions and efficiencies.

University is committed to providing adequate resources to meet the following objectives:

1. Monitor and measure water consumption and identify significant and abnormal water use including leaks
2. Meet and where possible exceed all relevant legal requirements
3. Improve the water efficiency of existing buildings and facilities with a targeted capital programme of works
4. Investigate and develop opportunities for rainwater / grey water harvesting based on a whole life costing approach
5. Minimize the use of water through best practice maintenance & cleaning routines
6. Achieve the highest practicable water efficiency standards in the development of the Estate
7. Integrate a whole-life costings approach in assessing the value for money of building and construction specifications against operational water savings
8. Introduce standards for low water consumption equipment as part of procurement processes
9. Engage with University students and staff to inspire them to take actions to reduce water consumption
10. Collaborate with University academics on water efficiency research projects
11. Communicate with staff and students to encourage water saving behaviour

This policy will be reviewed on a 2 yearly basis. 

Related Goal