Programs & Initiatives
Water Conservation & Management Program
WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The world water supply is finite and limited. As the demand for water continues to increase, the pressing need to conserve water shall increase correspondingly to preserve freshwater supplies. Water management is one of the main elements of the overall drive of sustainable development.
Water may be a significant limited resource for human welfare and is renewable only if it is well managed. It plays a leading role in promoting the resilience of the environmental, social, and economic systems in the face of the fast and unpredictable changes. Sustainable water management can be considered as the reduction of water use through changes in user behavior, accompanied by the application of water efficiency technology.
Water bills reduced as an outcome of low water consumption can be beneficial to the institutions. However, the application of water sustainable systems in institutions is an excellent opportunity for educating students about the advantages of preserving our natural resources.
These systems lead to saving finances by not wasting water and help to instill an environmentally responsible attitude in the next generation. Water conservation represents a central portion of the increasingly important issue of sustainability. It will help students focus on social liability, which is one of the major elements of sustainable development.
Cebu Technological University is a premier university in Central Visayas, Philippines that uses a considerable amount of water daily proportionate with the institution’s increasing student population. Specifically, the water consumption of the university is mainly distributed through the following: toilets, drinking and taps, cafeteria, laboratories, outdoor playing areas, landscaping, and the on-going infrastructure development project of the institution. Hence, the institution is adapting a water conservation and management program to promote sustainable consumption and utilization of its potable water.
PURPOSE
This program defines CTU’s approach in adequately managing its water usage, leading to efficiency and conservation. It shall serve the following purposes:
decrease the water and energy costs: Water efficiency reduces the institution’s water and energy costs, meaning that the institution can do more with the current institution budget;
build young leaders and provide learning opportunities: Water efficiency activities provide excellent leadership chances and practical learning activities for the students, plus occupational development for the faculty, employees, and the other constituents;
establish a strong institutional culture based on excellent communication and shared goals: Getting the whole institution to work together allows the institution’s leadership to share successes;
Raise the institution’s profile: When the institution participates in water efficiency activities, it relates to the community through partnerships and local networks. This is increasingly important for institution reputation as students, teachers, and parents look for approaches to combat climate change and other environmental issues facing our communities; and
Contribute to attaining a better environment through adopting water efficiency: A better and more sustainable planet will be built for the present time and for future generations.
SCOPE
Faculty, staff, students, on-site contractors/suppliers working on CTU’s behalf, other non-academic employees, and visitors have a vital role to play in conserving the water resource in the university. Everyone must be responsible to use water efficiently.
GENERAL POLICIES
The Cebu Technological University is committed to implementing a Water Conservation and Management Program through the following initiatives:
- Compliance with all applicable legal requirements;
- Responsible water use and adoption of applicable methods and approaches to conserve water;
- Encouraging continuous improvement in water conservation by academic and non-academic personnel;
- Regular orientation of constituents on water conservation; and
- Regular conduct of a Water Usage Audit.
METHODS AND APPROACHES
- Institution sanitation facilities are among the most widely used water facilities so water- saving appliances, such as low-flux faucets and appliances with small economic flush tanks, can be used.
- Use advanced irrigation methods such as dripping and rationalization. Choose the appropriate times for irrigation to reduce evaporation and select local plants that adapt to the nature of the site.
- Reuse the water so that the gray water is separated from the water used in the sewers.
- Use natural water sources such as rainwater through installing formations and elements of design that work on collecting water.
- Water supply systems and sanitary tools can be chosen to decrease water consumption and losses. The use of low- flow water taps and small toilet tanks can be a practical solution to reduce clean water consumption.
- The building’s needs for clean water can be minimized by using institution roofs to collect rainwater using water storage tanks. It may be used without treatment to irrigate the plants or to feed the flush tanks of toilets and bathrooms.
- Diminish the quantities of water required to run the institution either indoors or outdoors.
- Growing plants that fit into the local environmental system of the institution site minimizes the consumption of water. Local plants adjust to the natural rainfall and don’t demand additional irrigation. When irrigation is needed, advanced irrigation techniques must be utilized to prevent wastewater.
- Assess various water uses: distinguishing between those that can be fulfilled using raw water (untreated), and those requiring treated water.
- Assess strategies to provide the desired raw water supply using the resources available on site.
INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION APPROACHES
- Install timed taps or motion sensors that will automatically close when not in use.
- Buy water-efficient toilets and taps soon. Substitute old models with more advanced ones that utilize less water, and can sustain their value over the lifetime of the fixture.
- Use toilet dams. In institutions with toilet tanks, put toilet dams inside the tank to take up space that would otherwise be filled with water.
- Repair any leakage in taps and water fountains.
- Install aerators. These devices are installed at the tips of the taps to decrease water flow and maintain high water pressure.
- Replace old showerheads and faucets with new down-sized models to reduce water use during showers in locker rooms.