6.4.1 Water reuse policy

Contents

1. Purpose of the Policy

2. Legal Framework and National Alignment

3. Water Recycling Infrastructure: Current Operational Capacity

4. Water-Conscious Building Standards and Equipment

5. Sustainable Landscaping and Vegetation Management

6. Research-informed water policy

7. Monitoring, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement

8. Operational Action Points

9. Definitions

1. Purpose of the Policy

1.1. Qassim University (QU) is dedicated to efficiently managing water resources and maximising water reuse within the campus. The university commits to integrating water recycling, conservation, and sustainable practices across all operations in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy 2030, with the target of 100% wastewater reuse by 2040 and a 43% reduction in per capita water consumption.

1.2. This policy establishes a comprehensive framework to reshape and enhance the water recycling program, reduce potable water demand, and ensure responsible management of this critical resource. The policy governs all campus water use, treatment, recycling, infrastructure development, and conservation initiatives.

2. Legal Framework and National Alignment

2.1. Qassim University operates under and commits to full compliance with:

• Vision 2030: Contributing to the Kingdom’s goal of achieving 100% wastewater reuse by 2040 and reducing per capita water consumption by 43% (from 263 to 150 litres per day).
• Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (MEWA) and Saudi Water Authority (SWA) water directives and regulations (such as Water Law): The university adheres to MEWA directives requiring utilisation of water conservation equipment meeting approved technical specifications and standard regulations.
• Saudi Building Code (SBC): All buildings and construction follow SBC standards for design, operation, maintenance, and renovation, with particular emphasis on the Saudi Green Building Code (SBC 1001), which mandates water-conscious equipment installation.
• Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) technical regulation: All water rationalisation tools and equipment must meet SASO specifications and be classified as Category A water efficiency rating (most efficient).

3. Water Recycling Infrastructure: Current Operational Capacity

3.1. Qassim University operates a secondary/tertiary wastewater treatment facility with the following verified operational capacity:

• Technology: Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC) system with two treatment streams
• Average Capacity: 5,250 m³/day; expandable to 13,125 m³/day
• Monthly Sewage Processing: 9,620 m³/month average (verified 2021–2023)
• Treated Water Output: 24,714 m³/month average for irrigation use
• Environmental Compliance: minimal-to-negligible impact on groundwater and soil.

3.2.Verified treatment performance:

3.3. All treated water meets irrigation standards and is non-harmful to vegetation. Quality verified through 1,400+ laboratory tests over three years.

3.4. Water production and reuse in the previous periods:

• 3-Year Production Summary (2021–2023):
• Total Treated Water Produced: 734,000 m³
• Irrigation Water Supplied: 330,000 m³ (45% of production)
• Drinking Water Produced: 404,000 m³ (55% of production)

3.5. Distribution network includes 21 underground substations that manage campus-wide recycled water distribution to landscaping and green spaces.

4. Water-Conscious Building Standards and Equipment

4.1. All new construction, renovation, and facility upgrades at Qassim University incorporate water-conscious building standards aligned with the Saudi Green Building Code and SASO Technical Regulation:

• Faucet aerators to reduce tap water flow while maintaining functionality
• Re-circulating hot water pumps installed on hot water supply lines (residential and administrative villas) to provide instant flow, eliminating waste during warm-up periods
• Water-efficient flush tanks—high-efficiency systems meeting SASO Category A specifications, utilising dual-flush or low-volume technology
• Greywater separation infrastructure—separate drain lines collect wastewater from wash basins, showers, and kitchen sinks for potential recycling
• Equipment classification: All water equipment installed is classified under SASO Category A, representing the most efficient available in the Kingdom.

4.2. The university ensures that all water-related procurement adheres to:

• MEWA approved technical specifications and standards
• SASO certification requirements
• Saudi standards for sanitary ware and water-saving materials
• Efficiency ratings and performance verification before installation.

5. Sustainable Landscaping and Vegetation Management

5.1. Qassim University integrates treated wastewater into its landscaping strategy:

• Water Source: 100% of landscape irrigation uses recycled treated water
• Environmental Impact: Reduce reliance on potable water for non-essential uses; supports the Saudi Green Initiative, implements the Greening Courses Project.

5.2. The university’s integrated water recycling and landscaping efforts have achieved international recognition:

• Global Ranking: 48th worldwide (Green Metric World University Rankings 2024)
• Regional Ranking: 2nd among Arab universities
• National Ranking: 1st in Saudi Arabia
• Overall Score: 8,750 (out of 10,000).

6. Research-informed water policy

6.1. Qassim University’s Center for Sustainable Development conducts research that directly informs policy decisions on:

• Water treatment and purification technologies—research on advanced treatment methods
• Greywater recycling systems—development of optimised recycling protocols
• Solar-powered saline water treatment—innovation in renewable-energy water processing
• Sustainable extraction and management—research addressing regional water scarcity.

6.2. Research outcomes drive continuous improvement of the water recycling facility and campus conservation practices.

7. Monitoring, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement

7.1. The Center for Sustainable Development shall be responsible for the overall strategic direction, development, and periodic review and updating of the university’s water reuse policy in alignment with national sustainability objectives and international best practices.

7.2. The General Administration of Maintenance and Services, through its Water Operation and Maintenance Section, shall be responsible for the day-to-day implementation, operational oversight, and continuous monitoring of all water reuse systems, infrastructure, and measures across the university campus.

7.3. Both bodies shall collaborate to ensure that policy objectives are met, performance data are collected and analysed, and necessary adjustments are made to maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of the university’s water reuse programme.

7.4. The university monitors the following metrics annually through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Total recycled water volume
• Percentage of campus irrigation supplied by recycled water (target: 100%)
• Treatment plant operational efficiency (COD/TSS removal rates)
• Per capita water consumption on campus
• Potable water reduction year-on-year.

7.5. Center for Sustainable Development provides annual reporting on:

• Water recycling facility performance (volume, quality, efficiency)
• Landscape irrigation metrics and vegetation cover growth
• Equipment maintenance and compliance with SASO standards
• Environmental audit results
• Progress toward Vision 2030 targets.

7.6. This policy is reviewed biennially (every two years) or sooner if:

• National water and building regulations and certification systems (MEWA, SASO, National Committee for the Saudi Building Code) change
• The treatment facility requires a major upgrade or expansion
• Significant gaps between actual and target reuse percentages emerge.

8. Operational Action Points

8.1. Qassim University is taking the following actions to implement this policy:

• Maintain and expand the wastewater treatment facility to increase recycled water volume and support the strategic goals
• Complete greywater separation infrastructure in all new and renovated buildings for future recycling integration
• Upgrade all existing water equipment to SASO Category A standards over a rolling programme
• Conduct quarterly water quality audits to ensure treatment efficacy and regulatory compliance
• Integrate the sustainability curriculum on water reuse with research activities
• Participate in regional greening initiatives through MEWA partnerships
• Publish annual water reuse and sustainability data.

9. Definitions

1. Water reuse: The utilisation of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes, including irrigation, landscaping, toilet flushing, and industrial processes.
2. Recycled water: Wastewater that has undergone secondary and/or tertiary treatment to meet quality standards for reuse applications.
3. Water-conscious equipment: Fixtures and systems (aerators, low-flow toilets, re-circulating pumps) designed to minimise water consumption while maintaining functionality.
4. SASO Category A: Equipment meeting the highest efficiency classification under Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization technical regulations.
5. Sustainable resource management: Practices ensuring water, energy, and materials are used responsibly to meet current needs without compromising future generations’ access to these resources.