Water Reuse Policy

Institutional policy to maximize water reuse across campus operations and facilities.

Executive Summary

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) adopts a comprehensive Water Reuse Policy aimed at maximizing the recycling and safe reuse of water throughout all campus facilities. The university’s integrated system covers collection, treatment, storage, and distribution of treated wastewater and harvested rainwater, which are reused for irrigation, cleaning, and cooling systems.

This policy is governed by the following official documents that form the backbone of AAU’s circular-water framework:

Water Treatment and Reuse Policy

Water Reuse Procedure

Waste Water Treatment Procedure

Campus Water Consumption Management Policy

Together, they ensure a closed-loop system that reduces freshwater dependency, optimizes resource efficiency, and aligns with SDG 6.3 (Improve Water Quality and Reuse) and SDG 6.4 (Water-Use Efficiency), while contributing indirectly to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Centers and Departments

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01Sustainability and International Ranking Center – Policy Oversight and Data Reporting

Leads the monitoring, evaluation, and annual reporting of water reuse performance within the university’s sustainability framework. Ensures that reuse data are collected, verified, and integrated into SDG 6 reporting.

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02Facilities and General Supplies Department – System Operation and Maintenance

Operates and maintains wastewater-treatment units, pumping systems, and irrigation networks using treated water. Acts as the operational driver of AAU’s water-reuse infrastructure.

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03Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research – Research and Innovation Support

Develops applied research on greywater reuse, filtration membranes, and eco-engineering techniques to enhance treatment efficiency. Bridges innovation with practical reuse applications.

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04Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Center (PDRC) – Laboratory Verification and Testing

Conducts chemical and biological tests of treated water to ensure compliance with Jordanian environmental standards. Provides scientific assurance of reuse water safety.

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05Finance Department – Sustainability Investment and Budgeting

Allocates resources for upgrading treatment plants, reuse pipelines, and monitoring systems. Ensures financial sustainability and long-term efficiency of reuse projects.

Activities

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01Implementation of the Water Reuse Procedure

AAU officially adopted and implemented the Water Reuse Procedure, defining technical standards for collecting and distributing treated water. All irrigation systems and outdoor cleaning operations are connected to the reuse network. This established the foundation for a campus-wide circular water system.

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02Expansion of Treated Water Irrigation Network

Pipelines were extended to serve newly landscaped areas and sports zones, enabling 100% irrigation with reused water. This directly reduced reliance on municipal water sources and supported campus greenery.

03Rainwater Harvesting and Storage Integration

Based on the Water Security and Conservation Collaboration Policy, AAU installed rainwater collection tanks for use in cleaning and landscaping. This initiative complements treated-water reuse and enhances water-security resilience.

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04Research and Pilot Projects on Water Recycling

The Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research and PDRC conducted pilot studies on low-cost bio-filtration units and membrane technology for water recycling. These projects strengthen academic contribution to applied reuse innovation.

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05Awareness and Training Program – “Reuse for Sustainability”

The Sustainability and International Ranking Center organized workshops for students and staff on safe reuse practices and the importance of closing the water cycle. This initiative reinforced behavioral change and community engagement around sustainable water use.

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Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation

Reuse coverage: 100% of irrigated areas supplied by treated or harvested water.
Reuse volume: ≈ 20% of total campus consumption.
Efficiency trend: ↑ by 25% since 2022 through infrastructure expansion.
Water quality compliance: 100% meets national standards based on PDRC testing.
Operational reliability: 98% system uptime for treatment and reuse networks.

Development Actions

Action 1: Upgrade existing treatment tanks to increase reuse capacity by 50%. Action 2: Integrate AI-based monitoring for real-time quality and flow tracking. Action 3: Expand rainwater harvesting systems to cover all building rooftops. Action 4: Publish annual “Water Reuse and Efficiency Performance Report. Action 5: Establish student projects on innovative reuse applications (such as green roofs and hydro-gardens).
Benchmarking & Best Practice
Adopted Practice: Aligned with Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation Reuse Regulations, FAO Water Reuse Guidelines, and ISO 14046 Water Footprint Standard. Local Adaptation: AAU customizes these frameworks to Jordan’s semi-arid context through closed-loop reuse systems and treated-water irrigation networks tailored to campus topography. Future Benchmark Goal (by 2028):
- Achieve 50% total water reuse ratio across campus operations.
- Maintain zero untreated discharge.
- Obtain third-party reuse certification for quality compliance.
Institutional Integration Summary Water reuse is embedded within AAU’s sustainability governance system, led by the Sustainability and International Ranking Center in cooperation with the Facilities Department, PDRC, and Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research. This collaboration links policy, operations, and scientific verification to ensure safe and efficient reuse throughout campus facilities. AAU’s approach demonstrates a successful transition from traditional linear water use to a circular reuse system, reducing environmental impact and enhancing resource security. This institutional integration illustrates AAU’s leadership in SDG 6.3 and 6.4 performance and its commitment to a sustainable, resilient future.

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