Water Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that water is used judiciously and reused to the maximum extent possible, preventing water pollution, and increasing the use of treated and recycled water. This policy aims to set objectives for the University to meet in order to reduce water use within the campus and support Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all students, staff, and visitors of An-Najah National University.

3. Principles

An-Najah National University is committed to providing adequate resources to meet the following objectives:

1. Legal Compliance: Comply with all relevant legal and legislative requirements relating to water use, consumption, and efficiency.
2. Monitoring and Measurement: Monitor and measure water consumption to identify significant and abnormal water use, including leaks.
3. Water Reduction: Identify areas of significant water use to set appropriate objectives and action plans for reducing water use and waste. ANNU aims to reduce water consumption by 25% by 2030, focusing on improving efficiency in irrigation systems, plumbing systems, and overall water use. This includes the utilization of non-conventional water sources, such as rainwater harvesting (RWH).
4. Yearly Reduction: Strive to reduce year-on-year water consumption per staff and student.
5. Awareness and Conservation: Promote conscious water usage among staff, students, visitors, and the wider community to drive water efficiency and conservation.
6. Technological Implementation: Implement water-saving and harvesting technologies in all new buildings and rehabilitation projects and incorporate such technologies into existing university buildings.
7. Ethical Procurement: Procure water in accordance with the University’s Ethical and Sustainability Procurement Policy.
8. Low Water Consumption Standards: Introduce standards for low water consumption equipment as part of procurement processes.
9. Free Drinking Water: Provide free drinking water facilities to staff, students, and visitors across the university campus.
10. Educational Opportunities: Offer educational opportunities for staff, students, visitors, and the local community to learn about good water management.
11. Collaboration: Collaborate with local and international universities, authorities, and relevant parties to conduct water efficiency research projects.

4. Policy Statement

An-Najah National University recognizes that many aspects of its operations use water and is committed to supporting Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The university will effectively monitor water consumption, reduce water use, and promote water efficiency through the implementation of improvement initiatives across our campus.

The Water Research Unit, Public Services Department, and Engineering and Construction Department will monitor and reduce water consumption, ensuring all legal, regulatory, and service requirements are adhered to. This policy forms part of and should be read in conjunction with the University’s Environmental Policy.

5. Water Management

• Rainwater Harvesting: Install rainwater collection systems for use in irrigation and non-potable purposes.
• Water-Saving Fixtures: Implement low-flow faucets, toilets, and irrigation systems.
• Greywater Recycling: Explore greywater reuse for irrigation and landscaping mainly for new buildings.
• Drought-Resilient Landscaping: Expand the use of native plants and drought-tolerant species in the 30% green/open space.
• Green Building Certification: Ensure all future constructions adhere to green building standards /Codes (e.g., Green Buildings Guideline – Palestine).

6. Key Areas of Focus

• Water Sources: Ensure an uninterrupted supply of water for drinking and other purposes from multiple avenues such as municipal water networks, artesian wells, rainwater, and recycled water to reduce dependency on a single source.
• Conserving Water: Evaluate water-using equipment, including washroom facilities, and where practicable, replace old equipment with water-efficient alternatives. For example, modernizing washroom facilities can significantly reduce water use.
• Development Plans: In constructing and refurbishing buildings, pursue the best standards of water efficiency (Green Guidelines Buildings in Palestine 2024) to minimize water use and associated costs over the operational lifetime. This begins at project inception with the assessment of proposed water reduction technologies.
• Greywater / Rainwater Harvesting: Consider the capture and reuse of water in new buildings via systems for greywater and rainwater harvesting where practicable.
• Leak Detection and Maintenance: Ensure immediate fixing of leakages and regular maintenance to prevent water loss.
• Smart Water Management: Automate water tanks with sensor-based systems to prevent overflow and continuously monitor water levels. Use clean water for drinking and treated/recycled water for garden sprinklers, cleaning open spaces, cooling, fire systems, and toilet flushing.
• Wastewater Treatment and Recycling: An-Najah National University’s main campuses are located in an urban area that is well-served with waste water collection and treatment. The produced waste water from campuses is treated in the Nablus- West Waste Treatment Plant (WWTP) and this treated water use irrigate farms.
• Research and Technological Development: The An-Najah Water Research Unit serves as a crucial platform for disseminating technology and knowledge related to water and environmental aspects. This includes periodic publications, awareness events, simulation models, strengthening partnerships, advisory services, and consultations.
• Engagement and Collaboration: Engage with staff and students to influence water use through behavioral change campaigns. Support student and academic projects by providing water data and expertise, facilitating the implementation of on-site demonstrator projects, and enhancing the university’s research bids.

7. Related Policies

• Climate Action Plan
• Environmental Policy
• Sustainability Policy

Effective Date: December 22, 2022

Review Date: Jun 25, 2024