6.4.2

Water Reuse Measurement Policy

The University of Thessaly (UTh) commits to systematically measuring, recording, and evaluating all forms of water reuse across its campuses and facilities.

This policy defines the means, methods, and procedures for quantifying reused water volumes, ensuring data accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement in water efficiency.

Purpose

This policy aims to:

Establish standardized measurement and verification methods for all water reuse systems;

Provide reliable data to support sustainability reporting and performance benchmarking;

Facilitate data-driven decision-making on infrastructure upgrades and conservation priorities;

Ensure compliance with Greek and EU legislation and the University’s Sustainability Plan.

Legal and Technical Framework

The policy complies with:

Law 3199/2003 and P.D. 51/2007 (transposing Directive 2000/60/EC),

KYA 145116/2011 on treated-water reuse,

EU Regulation 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse,

Law 4042/2012 on resource efficiency, and

the University of Thessaly Environmental Sustainability Plan.

Scope

Applies to:

All campuses, research farms, laboratories, dormitories, and sports facilities using reused, grey, or rain water;

Projects and systems involving water treatment, storage, and distribution;

Technical staff, facility managers, researchers, and contractors engaged in water-management operations.

Key Provisions

Instrumentation and Monitoring Systems

All water-reuse systems shall be equipped with certified flow meters, level sensors, or smart monitoring devices to measure inflow and outflow volumes.

Measurement devices must comply with EN ISO 4064 or equivalent standards.

Meters shall be installed at:

the outlet of treatment plants,

distribution points to irrigation or cleaning systems, and

storage reservoirs for rainwater harvesting.

Data Collection and Recording

The Technical Services Department shall maintain a centralized digital water-management platform.

Data shall be recorded monthly, verified quarterly, and archived for at least five years.

Each site will maintain calibration records of its monitoring instruments.

Verification and Quality Control

The Department of Civil Engineering and Department of Agriculture will jointly conduct annual audits of measurement accuracy.

Calibration checks shall be performed twice per year or as specified by the manufacturer.

Inconsistencies or deviations above ±5 % must trigger a technical review.

Performance Indicators

Key performance indicators (KPIs) include:

Reused-to-total-water ratio (%),

Volume of reused water per campus (m³/year),

Reduction in potable-water use (%),

Annual water savings (€/year and m³/year).

Reporting and Transparency

The Technical Services Department shall publish an annual summary of reuse performance.

Data will support compliance with THE Impact Rankings, QS Sustainability, and HAHE (ΜΟΔΙΠ) reporting.

All results must be publicly available.

Research and Capacity Building

UTh encourages student and faculty research on metering technologies, digital twins, and water-reuse optimization.

Periodic training sessions will ensure technical staff can operate and maintain monitoring systems effectively.

Governance

Responsible Authority: Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Sustainability

Operational Oversight: Technical Services Department

Scientific Advisors: Departments of Civil Engineering and Agriculture

Monitoring and Reporting: Office of Environmental Sustainability

Review

This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier in response to technological or regulatory updates.

Through this framework, the University of Thessaly ensures that water reuse is quantified, accountable, and continuously improved, reinforcing its role as a model of sustainable resource management.