Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract/Objectives
The university actively monitors water usage on campus, particularly focusing on recycling pool water for irrigation and ecological purposes. Initiatives for water conservation have been implemented, such as the installation of water-saving faucets. From 2019 to 2023, annual water consumption varied due to the pandemic's impact on campus activity and attendance. In terms of rainwater management, the university's policy leverages the campus's natural topography to collect and reuse rainwater for vegetation irrigation, thus replenishing groundwater. The campus spans 120 hectares, with 40.63 hectares covered in vegetation, achieving a green coverage rate of 74%. Despite an estimated irrigation demand, the natural rainfall and healthy forest ecosystems contribute ample groundwater resources, reducing the need for supplemental irrigation, as open water bodies can effectively store rainwater for vegetation maintenance.
Results/Contributions

Our university regularly monitors and reviews on-campus water usage. Currently, campus water recycling primarily focuses on pool water. Replacement water from the main campus swimming pool is used for irrigation at athletic fields, while replacement water from the Nanda campus pool is directed to ecological ponds. In recent years, we have implemented initiatives such as increasing the proportion of water-saving faucets in buildings. From 2019 to 2023 (the past five years), annual water consumption was 949,011 cubic meters, 921,255 cubic meters, 868,008 cubic meters, 931,160 cubic meters, and 966,431 cubic meters, respectively. Due to the pandemic, campus activities have been affected in recent years, with some classes conducted online and fewer staff and students on campus. The long-term impact of these changes requires ongoing observation.


Rainwater Management：

Our rainwater management policy considers the original topography of the campus, which slopes gently from south to north, as part of green building design to incorporate rainwater collection and reuse. The campus has water channels that connect multiple lakes, allowing us to leverage the terrain to collect rainwater within the area. This collected rainwater is used for vegetation irrigation, effectively utilizing natural resources while replenishing groundwater within the campus area.


Irrigation Operations：

Our campus covers a total area of 120 hectares, with vegetation covering 40.63 hectares. Based on a campus building area of 65.106 hectares, the overall green coverage rate reaches 74% (40.63 / (120 - 65.106) * 100). Given the 40.63 hectares of vegetated area, it is estimated that daily irrigation water demand is 20 cubic meters per hectare, amounting to a daily requirement of 812.6 cubic meters and an annual requirement of 296,599 cubic meters. However, due to the hillside location and Taiwan's abundant rainfall, daily rainwater naturally covers the entire campus, providing ample groundwater resources. The campus forests have a healthy ecosystem, enhancing water retention. Additionally, open water bodies on campus (lakes and ponds) can store rainwater to recharge groundwater, which can then be used for vegetation maintenance, thus eliminating the need for additional irrigation.

Keywords
Campus water management, Water recycling, Rainwater management
References
Contact Information
吳瑞祥
jhwu@mx.nthu.edu.tw