The University of Thessaly (UTh) recognizes the importance of sustainable water management as a fundamental component of environmental stewardship, public health, and community responsibility.<\/p>\n
This policy establishes a comprehensive framework for the collection, treatment, monitoring, and reuse of wastewater generated by the University\u2019s campuses, laboratories, and facilities, in accordance with Greek and European environmental legislation.<\/p>\n
Purpose<\/p>\n
This policy aims to:<\/p>\n
Ensure that all wastewater generated by the University is collected and treated in accordance with environmental and public health standards.<\/p>\n
Promote the reuse and recycling of treated water wherever possible, contributing to the reduction of freshwater consumption.<\/p>\n
Prevent contamination of natural water bodies, groundwater, and surrounding ecosystems.<\/p>\n
Align University operations with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and national sustainability objectives.<\/p>\n
Encourage research, innovation, and education in sustainable wastewater management.<\/p>\n
Legal and Institutional Framework<\/p>\n
This policy complies with:<\/p>\n
Law 3199\/2003 on water protection and management,<\/p>\n
Presidential Decree 51\/2007, transposing Directive 2000\/60\/EC (EU Water Framework Directive),<\/p>\n
Joint Ministerial Decision 5673\/400\/1997 and Directive 91\/271\/EEC on urban wastewater treatment,<\/p>\n
Law 4042\/2012 on environmental responsibility, waste management, and water protection, and<\/p>\n
The University of Thessaly Environmental and Sustainability Plan.<\/p>\n
Scope<\/p>\n
This policy applies to:<\/p>\n
All campuses, laboratories, student residences, cafeterias, and research facilities of the University.<\/p>\n
All forms of wastewater, including domestic, laboratory, and stormwater effluent.<\/p>\n
Both on-site and off-site treatment systems, whether managed directly by the University or through municipal partnerships.<\/p>\n
Key Provisions<\/p>\n
The University ensures that all wastewater is safely collected and directed to approved treatment systems.<\/p>\n
On campuses equipped with treatment infrastructure, wastewater must undergo biological or advanced treatment before discharge or reuse.<\/p>\n
Campuses connected to municipal wastewater networks must ensure pre-treatment where required (e.g., laboratory waste, food service effluent).<\/p>\n
The Technical Services Department monitors water quality indicators (pH, suspended solids, BOD, COD, nutrients, pathogens) to ensure compliance with Greek and EU standards.<\/p>\n
Regular inspections and reports are conducted in collaboration with certified environmental laboratories.<\/p>\n
Records of wastewater treatment performance are maintained and publicly available through the University\u2019s Environmental Portal.<\/p>\n
Treated wastewater shall be reused for irrigation of green areas, cleaning, or cooling systems where safe and technically feasible.<\/p>\n
Reuse projects must comply with Joint Ministerial Decision 145116\/2011 on the reuse of treated wastewater.<\/p>\n
Pilot initiatives for water reuse and circular economy are encouraged and supported by the University\u2019s Environmental Research Center.<\/p>\n
All laboratory and research units must implement pre-treatment systems (e.g., neutralization, filtration) before wastewater enters the general collection network.<\/p>\n
The Health and Safety Office oversees compliance and maintains a register of approved laboratory discharge procedures.<\/p>\n
The University promotes educational programs, workshops, and research on sustainable wastewater management.<\/p>\n
Collaboration with local authorities, NGOs, and research networks is encouraged to share knowledge and technology.<\/p>\n
Students are involved in monitoring and applied research through coursework, theses, and volunteer projects.<\/p>\n
An annual environmental report shall include data on wastewater treatment volumes, quality indicators, reuse rates, and compliance.<\/p>\n
Reports are submitted to the Governing Council.<\/p>\n
Governance and Oversight<\/p>\n
The Rector is responsible for overseeing implementation.<\/p>\n
The Technical Services Department ensures daily operation and maintenance of systems.<\/p>\n
Review<\/p>\n
This policy shall be reviewed every three years or following major changes in environmental legislation or infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The University of Thessaly reaffirms its commitment to protecting water resources, minimizing pollution, and serving as a model of environmental responsibility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Wastewater Treatment Policy The University of Thessaly (UTh) recognizes the importance of sustainable water management as a fundamental component of environmental stewardship, public health, and community responsibility. This policy establishes a comprehensive framework for the collection, treatment, monitoring, and reuse of wastewater generated by the University\u2019s campuses, laboratories, and facilities, in accordance with Greek and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-765","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sdg.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sdg.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sdg.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sdg.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sdg.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=765"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/sdg.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1661,"href":"https:\/\/sdg.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/765\/revisions\/1661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sdg.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}