6.5.6

Promoting Conscious Water Usage on Campus

The University of Thessaly (UTh) is committed to fostering a culture of responsible and conscious water use across all campuses.

Recognizing water as a shared and finite resource, this policy establishes the framework for education, engagement, monitoring, and behavioral transformation to reduce unnecessary consumption and ensure long-term sustainability of the University’s water resources.

Purpose

This policy aims to:

Promote awareness and behavioral responsibility among students, faculty, and staff regarding water usage;

Integrate water efficiency principles into campus operations, teaching, and research;

Reduce overall water consumption and waste through informed user practices;

Reinforce the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship and climate resilience;

Support the implementation of SDG 6, SDG 12, and SDG 13.

Legal and Strategic Framework

This policy is consistent with:

Law 4957/2022, Articles 87 and 88 (Sustainability and University Social Responsibility),

Law 3199/2003 (Integrated Water Resources Management),

EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC,

EU Regulation 2020/741 (Water Efficiency and Reuse),

and the University of Thessaly Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

Scope

This policy applies to:

All students, faculty, administrative staff, and contractors operating within the University’s facilities;

All academic and administrative buildings, laboratories, residences, cafeterias, and landscaped areas;

All research projects and campus services involving water use.

Key Provisions

Awareness and Education

The University will conduct ongoing campaigns to educate the academic community about water conservation.

Signage, posters, and digital communication materials will remind users of efficient water practices.

Workshops and seminars on sustainable water use will be integrated into student orientation and staff training programs.

Academic departments are encouraged to embed sustainability and water literacy into relevant curricula.

Monitoring and Feedback

All major facilities shall be equipped with digital water meters for real-time monitoring.

Monthly reports on consumption trends will be published internally to promote transparency and accountability.

Departments with high consumption (e.g., laboratories, cafeterias, dormitories) will receive tailored feedback and improvement targets.

Infrastructure and Efficiency

The Technical Services Department will identify and replace inefficient fixtures (e.g., taps, toilets, irrigation systems) with low-flow or smart alternatives.

Maintenance teams shall prioritize leak detection and repair as part of preventive maintenance procedures.

Sustainable irrigation practices, such as timed watering and drought-tolerant planting, will be applied to all landscaped areas.

Behavioral Incentives

Each department will nominate a Water Steward responsible for promoting conservation and collecting ideas from staff and students.

Annual awards or recognition programs will celebrate departments and student groups that achieve measurable water savings.

Students will be encouraged to participate in peer-led initiatives and competitions to foster a collective culture of conservation.

Research and Innovation

The University will support interdisciplinary research on behavioral change, water efficiency technologies, and sustainable design.

Pilot projects and living laboratories will be used to test and scale innovative water-saving solutions.

Partnerships and Outreach

UTh will collaborate with local municipalities, NGOs, and schools to extend awareness programs to the wider community.

Communication materials developed for the University will be shared publicly as open educational resources.

Governance

Responsible Authority: Rector

Operational Oversight: Technical Services Office

Educational Coordination: Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs

Implementation Partners: Student Associations, Departmental Sustainability Officers

Review

This policy will be reviewed every three years or earlier if required by changes in technology, legislation, or sustainability objectives.

Through this framework, the University of Thessaly ensures that all members of its community become active participants in water conservation, embedding sustainability in daily university life.