Wastewater Treatment

Processes in place to treat and safely manage wastewater produced by the university.

Introduction

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) operates a comprehensive and governance-based Wastewater Treatment Framework that ensures all wastewater generated across campus facilities is collected, treated, and managed in full compliance with national environmental regulations and international water-safety standards. The university’s wastewater operations are guided by officially approved institutional documents, including the Wastewater Treatment Procedure, the Water Pollution Prevention Procedure, and the Water Reuse Procedure, all publicly available on AAU’s sustainability webpage.

AAU’s wastewater system follows a structured, multi-stage treatment process that includes collection, preliminary separation, filtration, disinfection, and quality verification before any reuse or discharge. These stages are implemented through a coordinated effort between the Sustainability and Global Ranking Center, the Environmental Health and Safety Unit, and specialized technical teams responsible for treatment operations and infrastructure maintenance.

Quality assurance is maintained through periodic laboratory testing, continuous monitoring of treatment parameters, and collaboration with accredited environmental agencies to validate compliance with safety and environmental thresholds. This systematic oversight ensures that treated effluent meets the required standards for safe non-potable applications.

A portion of the treated wastewater is reused within the university’s landscape and irrigation systems under a controlled and monitored reuse program, supporting circular-water management practices and reinforcing AAU’s commitment to sustainable resource use. The remaining treated water is discharged safely in accordance with regulatory guidelines, ensuring full environmental protection.

Through this institutionalized and policy-driven approach, AAU contributes directly to SDG 6.3 (Improvement of Water Quality), while supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by embedding safe wastewater management and reuse practices within campus operations.

Centers and Departments

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01Sustainability and International Ranking Center – Oversight of Wastewater Governance and SDG 6 Compliance

Leads the strategic management and reporting of wastewater treatment and reuse performance in alignment with AAU’s sustainability framework and the United Nations SDG indicators. This center ensures the integration of wastewater data into sustainability reporting and guarantees institutional compliance with international environmental standards.

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02General Supplies and Services Department – Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Systems

Oversees daily operation, maintenance, and monitoring of wastewater networks, ensuring safe collection, treatment, and reuse according to national environmental standards. This department acts as the operational backbone of the wastewater management framework, ensuring 24/7 functionality and safety across all facilities.

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03Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Center – Water Quality Testing and Laboratory Verification

Performs chemical and microbiological analyses to ensure treated wastewater meets Jordanian regulations and WHO guidelines for reuse in irrigation. The center’s analyses provide certified verification for treated water safety, linking research excellence with environmental compliance.

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04Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research – Applied Studies on Water Reuse Technologies

Conducts experimental and applied research on biofiltration systems, membrane purification, and environmental engineering solutions for wastewater management. Through applied research, the center transforms scientific innovation into scalable wastewater treatment solutions that support AAU’s SDG6 performance.

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05Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Student Projects in Water Recycling and Smart Monitoring

Encourages innovation by supporting startups and student research projects focused on wastewater reuse, IoT-based monitoring, and green technology integration. This center bridges academic creativity and environmental engineering, turning student innovations into real solutions that enhance campus sustainability.

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06Medical Services Department – Occupational Health and Hygiene Supervision

Ensures the health and safety of maintenance teams handling wastewater operations and supports hygiene awareness across campus. By prioritizing occupational safety, this department safeguards both staff wellbeing and environmental hygiene standards within wastewater facilities.

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07Women’s Health Center – Public Health Awareness and Community Education

Promotes health awareness related to sanitation, hygiene, and safe water use through educational campaigns and student-led outreach programs. Its outreach efforts extend the university’s wastewater awareness beyond campus, fostering a culture of community responsibility and hygiene.

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08Marketing and Communications Unit – Awareness Campaigns and Impact Dissemination

Designs and promotes public communication materials highlighting AAU’s efforts in wastewater management and sustainability performance. This unit ensures transparent public communication and visibility of AAU’s wastewater achievements, enhancing institutional reputation and stakeholder trust.

Activities

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01Campus Wastewater Treatment Enhancement Project

Installation of additional filtration and aeration units within the on-campus treatment facility to increase processing capacity and improve water reuse quality for irrigation purposes. This initiative demonstrates technical advancement and contributes directly to SDG 6.3 by reducing untreated discharge and improving effluent quality.

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02Water Quality Monitoring and Verification Program (Ongoing)

Monthly and quarterly laboratory testing of treated water by the Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Center (PDRC), in collaboration with the Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research, to ensure compliance with Jordanian and WHO standards. This activity guarantees transparency and scientific validation of wastewater management performance.

03Smart Monitoring and IoT Integration Project (2025)

Development of a digital dashboard integrating IoT sensors to monitor flow rates, turbidity, and biological oxygen demand (BOD) in real time. Data is connected to the Sustainability and International Ranking Center’s database for continuous tracking. This system enables predictive maintenance and data-driven decision-making, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

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04Wastewater Safety and Hygiene Training Workshop (2025)

Organized jointly by the Medical Services Department and the Women’s Health Center, this workshop trained maintenance staff and students on safe wastewater handling, use of protective equipment, and sanitation awareness. The initiative strengthens occupational safety and links wastewater management to community health under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

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05Community Outreach and Awareness Campaign – “Water Reuse for a Sustainable Future” (2023–2024)

Led by the Sustainability and International Ranking Center, this campaign disseminated awareness materials, campus exhibitions highlighting the importance of wastewater reuse and sustainable water management. The program promoted behavioral change and extended the impact of AAU’s wastewater initiatives beyond campus boundaries, supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

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Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation

Treatment Capacity: Covers 100% of wastewater generated on campus.
Reuse Rate: 20% of total water used is treated and reused (2024–2025).
Compliance: Treated effluent meets national environmental standards (Jordan Water Regulations No. 85/2015).
Monitoring Frequency: Monthly internal tests and semi-annual external verification.
Operational Efficiency: 98% uptime of treatment system; minimal discharge into municipal sewage lines.

These metrics reflect AAU’s tangible impact in reducing environmental risk, improving operational sustainability, and contributing to national water security goals.
Development Actions
Action 1: Expand the capacity of treatment tanks to accommodate future population growth and campus expansion. Action 2: Integrate AI-based sensors for real-time monitoring of pH, turbidity, and biological oxygen demand (BOD) in treated water. Action 3: Implement student-led research projects in wastewater innovation – such as membrane filtration, bioreactor systems, and natural treatment wetlands. Action 4: Partner with local municipalities to exchange treated water data and collaborate on regional wastewater reuse initiatives. Action 5: Develop a training and certification program for maintenance teams and students to build technical capacity in wastewater management and environmental engineering.
Benchmarking & Best Practice
Adopted Practice: AAU aligns its wastewater management practices with the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation’s national strategy and ISO 14001 environmental management standards. Local Adaptation: The university customizes its approach through decentralized treatment systems and a dual-pipeline reuse network that irrigates green areas and campus gardens efficiently. Future Benchmark Goal (by 2028):
- Treat and reuse ≥50% of all wastewater generated on campus.
- Achieve zero untreated discharge into municipal systems.
- Attain third-party ISO certification for wastewater quality compliance.
Institutional Integration Summary Wastewater treatment is fully integrated within AAU’s institutional sustainability governance system. The Sustainability and Global Ranking Center collects performance data and aligns it with SDG reporting, while the Facilities Department ensures daily operation and system maintenance. The Environmental Laboratories verify compliance through scientific testing and documentation. This multi-level integration ensures continuous improvement under the Plan–Do–Check–Act (PDCA) cycle, linking operational data to academic research and policy. The result is a transparent, accountable, and replicable model of wastewater management that exemplifies AAU’s leadership in achieving SDG 6.3 – Improve Water Quality and Reuse, and strengthens the university’s impact ranking through verifiable, data-backed sustainability outcomes.