• Water Conservation Policy
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Water Conservation Policy

_{University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa (UOWA)}

Policy ID: UOWA-WCP-2025-v2.0
Effective Date: January 2020
Revision Date: March 2025
Review Cycle: Annual
Governing Body: University Council / Sustainable Development Committee

^{1. Rationale and Strategic Objectives}

The University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa (UOWA) recognizes its moral and strategic responsibility to address local and global water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, river water reduction, and increased salinity in Iraq. This policy commits the university to achieving water sustainability by maximizing efficiency, prioritizing resource reuse, and protecting water quality.

Metric	Baseline/Current Status	Strategic Goal (Target Date)
Water Efficiency	84% of fixtures upgraded (low-flow, low-flush)	100% water-saving fixture deployment by 2026, in line with Iraqi national water-efficiency regulations and international standards (LEED WE, ISO 46001).
Non-Potable Use (Recycling)	55–60% of total campus water use is recycled/treated water	Increase treated wastewater coverage for irrigation to 70% within three years.
Campus Water Self-Sufficiency	20–25% of potable water supplied by on-campus purification plants	Increase the capacity and output of purification plants to supply 30% of potable water demand by 2030.

^{2. Water Source and Quality Management}

UOWA maintains a robust system for securing and monitoring water sources to ensure both quality and security, mitigating reliance on municipal supplies.

2.1 Potable Water Provision

·        Self-Sufficiency: Two on-campus purification plants treat underground, rain, and river water, supplying 20–25% of drinking water needs.

·        Quality Control: Water quality is tested monthly to meet Iraqi national standards and international benchmarks for potable water safety.

·        Single-Use Reduction: Free water stations are maintained to reduce reliance on bottled water, aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).

2.2 Pollution Control and Abstraction

·        Groundwater Management: Abstraction is controlled to avoid over-extraction.

·        Chemical Handling: Strict protocols are enforced for hazardous laboratory and industrial waste to prevent contamination of drains and sewer systems.

·        Infrastructure Maintenance: Preventative maintenance and rapid-response systems detect and repair leaks promptly.

^{3. Water Use Efficiency and Infrastructure}

3.1 Fixtures and Appliances

·        Efficiency Mandate: All new construction and renovation projects must use dual-flush toilets, low-flow taps, and waterless urinals.

·        Upgrade Completion: Facility Management will replace all remaining conventional fixtures by 2026.

·        Standards Compliance: All fixtures and appliances comply with Iraqi water-efficiency regulations and, where applicable, LEED WE guidelines and ISO 46001.

3.2 Landscaping and Irrigation

·        Smart Irrigation: ICT-enabled systems monitor soil moisture and automate watering schedules across all green spaces.

·        Water-Wise Planting: Landscaping prioritizes native and drought-tolerant species and uses rainwater-harvested or recycled water only, in compliance with national and international water-efficiency standards.

·        Campus Green Coverage: Forest vegetation: 4,083 m² (3.6% of campus); planted vegetation: 35,320 m² (31%); water absorption areas: 60,886 m² (53.3%).

·        These green systems enhance stormwater infiltration, reduce runoff, support biodiversity, moderate microclimates, and provide research, teaching, and recreation spaces.

^{4. Water Reuse and Recycling}

4.1 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

·        Advanced Systems: Maintain and upgrade on-campus treatment systems for safe, non-potable water reuse.

·        Recycling Target: Treated wastewater to supply 70% of irrigation within three years.

·        Application Protocol: Recycled water is clearly distinguished and used only for irrigation, toilet flushing, and cooling tower make-up.

4.2 Rainwater Harvesting and Recharge

·        System Expansion: Expand RWH systems to store seasonal reserves.

·        Groundwater Replenishment: Maintain absorption areas and recharge wells to replenish aquifers.

·        All systems are designed and operated in accordance with national water-management standards and ISO 46001 principles.

^{5. Culture, Research, and Accountability}

5.1 Awareness and Behavior

·        Mandatory Training: All new students, faculty, and staff undergo responsible water-use training.

·        Signage & Campaigns: Encourage behavioral change and leak reporting.

5.2 Research and Innovation

·        Investment Priority: Focus on water treatment technologies, efficient irrigation, and climate resilience.

·        Collaboration: Partner locally, nationally, and internationally to enhance water management solutions (SDG 9, SDG 6).

5.3 Accountability

·        Monitoring: The University President and Sustainable Development Committee oversee implementation.

·        Reporting: Water usage, efficiency, and recycling metrics are tracked via ICT-enabled systems and published annually.

Policy Revision and Review History

Version	Revision Date	Summary of Changes	Reviewed By
v1.0	January 2020	Initial policy release, establishing water conservation framework and governance	University Council
v1.1	October 2021	Updated fixture efficiency targets and preliminary wastewater reuse goals	Sustainable Development Committee
v1.2	September 2023	Added smart irrigation, native/drought-tolerant landscaping, and rainwater harvesting	Sustainable Development Committee
v2.0	March 2025	Updated metrics, included standards references (Iraqi regulations, LEED WE, ISO 46001), and revised reuse targets	Sustainable Development Committee