Wastewater Treatment Processes

An-Najah National University (ANNU) operates an integrated water treatment processes that combines several sustainable systems — including off-campus, on-campus wastewater treatment, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and aquaculture water reuse.

Through these interconnected systems, ANNU meets more than 70% of its non-potable water needs for irrigation, facility operations, and cleaning using recycled water sources.

This approach significantly reduces reliance on municipal freshwater supplies, helping to protect local water resources while positioning ANNU as a leading example of sustainable water management in Palestine. The program supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and strengthens the University’s overall sustainability vision, while also offering valuable hands-on learning and research opportunities for students in advanced water reuse technologies.

Off-Campus Treatment Process

An-Najah National University’s four main campuses (New Campus, Old Campus, Hisham Hijjawi College, and University Hospital) are all located within the well-serviced urban area of Nablus. Each campus is fully connected to the Nablus West Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) through a dedicated municipal sewage network.

Wastewater from the campuses is transferred via this network to the Nablus West WWTP, where it undergoes a multi-stage activated sludge process with tertiary treatment. This advanced system ensures that the treated effluent fully complies with Palestinian environmental standards, allowing for safe discharge or potential reuse in agricultural and non-potable applications.

Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Nablus, Palestine

Process Flow Chart for Nablus WWTP Wastewater Treatment

On-Campus Treatment Process

• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Agriculture Engineering

At the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Tulkarm, An-Najah National University (ANNU) operates a dedicated on-campus wastewater purification facility to ensure safe and sustainable water management. Because the city of Tulkarm lacks a municipal wastewater treatment plant, ANNU established this system to treat and reuse wastewater generated from campus operations.

Collected wastewater undergoes primary and secondary treatment processes before being stored in specialized tanks with an annual capacity of approximately 500 m³. The treated water is then reused for irrigating campus landscapes, trees, and experimental vegetable plots, covering around 20% of the Faculty’s total irrigation demand.

An-Najah National University Hospital (NNUH)

An-Najah National University Hospital (NNUH) implements strict pre-treatment protocols to ensure that all medical wastewater is safely managed before entering the municipal sewage network. This process effectively reduces contaminants, minimizes pollutant loads, and ensures full compliance with environmental and public health standards.

After pre-treatment, the wastewater is transferred to the Western Nablus Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), where it undergoes a multi-stage activated sludge process with tertiary treatment. This ensures that the final effluent meets Palestinian environmental standards for either safe reuse in agriculture or environmentally responsible discharge.

Through these measures, NNUH plays a vital role in protecting public health, reducing the environmental footprint of hospital operations, and strengthening An-Najah University’s contribution to sustainable water management at the city-wide level.

Rainwater Recycling and Reuse

An-Najah National University has implemented an advanced rainwater collection and treatment system that efficiently captures runoff from rooftops and open spaces across its campuses. The collected rainwater passes through a robust filtration process to remove sediments and impurities before being stored in designated tanks for reuse.

Each year, approximately 7,000 m³ of treated rainwater is repurposed for a variety of non-potable applications, including irrigation of gardens and green areas, cleaning of pedestrian and open spaces, and supplying cooling towers, fire prevention systems, and toilet flushing units in selected facilities.

This integrated system not only minimizes surface runoff and alleviates pressure on groundwater resources but also exemplifies the University’s circular water management approach, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, resource efficiency, and responsible water stewardship across all campus operations.

Innovative Aquaculture Water Reuse

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Agriculture Engineering in Tulkarm, operates a research-based aquaculture unit that exemplifies innovation in circular water management. In this system, water from fish tanks is continuously filtered, treated, and reused, creating a closed-loop model that links aquaculture with agriculture.

Each year, the unit produces approximately 150 m³ of recycled aquaculture water, which is repurposed for irrigating trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants surrounding the aquaculture and agricultural facilities. This process not only reduces reliance on freshwater sources but also enhances campus landscaping and biodiversity.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the system serves as a living laboratory for students and researchers, providing hands-on experience in sustainable water management and integrated farming practices. Through this initiative, the University demonstrates how innovative approaches can transform resource use while advancing sustainability education and applied research.

Advanced Medical and Laboratory Water Filtration

At An-Najah National University Hospital, a multi-stage purification system—including cartridge, carbon, and sand filtration, softening, reverse osmosis, deionization, UV, and ultra-pure filtration—treats process water for reuse.
The recovered water is utilized for equipment sterilization, laboratory cleaning, and maintenance, reducing overall freshwater consumption and operational costs.

Greywater Recycling

As part of its commitment to sustainability, the University has launched a pilot greywater recycling system across several Sports Complex facilities, including locker rooms, shower areas, and washbasins. This innovative system treats the greywater on-site, allowing it to be safely reused for irrigation and cleaning purposes. Each year, the system produces approximately 1,500 cubic meters of recycled greywater, significantly reducing freshwater demand and promoting more responsible water management across the campus.