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Zero Waste
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Izmir Institute of Technology (IYTE) has started reusing wastewater after it has been treated at the purification facilities on campus to provide a sustainable water source and prevent water waste. The treated water used for irrigating the school's green areas will reduce the use of municipal water, resulting in cost savings on the school's water expenses.
Izmir Institute of Technology’s Sustainable Water Project
The Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) has launched a new project to provide a sustainable water source for its campus. Through this project, wastewater from the campus and surrounding residential areas is treated at the Water Treatment Center operated by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and then pumped into a storage tank. The stored clean water is used to irrigate the green areas across the 35,000-acre campus. By enabling the recycling of 2,253 cubic meters of water per hour, this project serves as an example of sustainable energy for universities in Izmir. It aims to create a greener campus by reducing IZTECH’s annual water expenses, which currently amount to 2.5 million TL.
40% Savings on Water Bills
Prof. Dr. Alper Baba, Lecturer in the Civil Engineering Department and Vice Rector of IZTECH, noted that a significant portion of groundwater resources is used in agriculture and irrigation. Baba explained, “If you want green spaces, you must ensure a reliable water source. Groundwater usage is common in this region, and our campus receives water from the İçmeler region. We believe in using water resources more efficiently. Due to climate change, there has been a considerable decrease in groundwater levels, which could cause issues in the near future. Our project aims to treat wastewater and then use it within the campus area. We aim to reduce water costs by 40%. Our goals include the sustainability of water resources and creating a green campus. We plan to reduce water loss to below 5%. Our project has been operational for two weeks,” he said.
Irrigating Trees and Lawns
IZTECH Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Baran emphasized that the project is conducted under the "Zero Waste" initiative, stating, “Recovering and reusing wastewater on our campus is of great importance. We use the treated water to irrigate the trees and lawns on our campus. Additionally, we are a university aspiring to earn the green campus title. This project will also significantly contribute to managing our university’s budget,” he said.
This project not only supports environmental sustainability but also enables more efficient budget management for the university.