Institutional policy to maximize water reuse across campus operations and facilities.
Water Reuse Policy (6.4.1)
Introduction:
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:
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:
Activities:
January
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3. Rainwater 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.
January
01
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4. Research 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.
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 SummaryWater 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.
