Circular Watermanagement 2020-2030
A transition plan for circular water management is considered an important part of this climate plan, both for climate adaptation, and in the transition to more circularity. Read the transition plan circular water management 2020-2030 here.
Goals
UGent pursues an integrated water policy that closes water cycles locally as much as possible and mitigates the effects of climate change.
This means that Ghent University
- realise an additional reduction of tap water of 15% by 2030 in comparison with 2020
- makes maximum use of alternative water sources depending on the application and strives for 80% reuse in new buildings and renovations
- making space for water by removing (superfluous) hard surfaces and converting them into an area where water can infiltrate
- making an active contribution to improving the quality and quantity of ground and surface water
- is now working on an integrated approach to water management in new building and renovation projects and is joining forces with experts, students and policy staff to do so
- set up living labs around circular water management in order to facilitate innovation.
Strategic framework
To achieve the above objectives, an ambitious action plan is needed. This contains study work, investment measures and measures to achieve behaviourl and system change. It is built around 6 pillars:
- Reduction of water consumption
- Use of alternative water sources in function of the application
- Space for water (see also biodiversity plan)
- Increasing water quality
- Working on an integrated approach in new building and renovation projects
- Use of UGent expertise and commitment, for own projects and to enable innovation
Measures
Here some of the measures:
- Monitoring of water consumption via digital meters, focus on large consuming appliances (e.g. purified water installations).
- Maximum use of grey water in construction and renovation projects for sanitary applications.
- Eliminating and greening unnecessary infrastructure.
- Making water transition plans per campus and adjust planned renovations and new buildings accordingly.
- Detecting opportunities for living labs and setting these up with researchers, students and policy staff.