Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The İzmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation. The institute actively pursues research and technological advancements that address water scarcity, water quality, and efficient water usage. Through its interdisciplinary and international doctoral training programs such as Water4All Doctoral Training Program and International Water Resources Program, and collaboration with both local and international organizations, IZTECH develops innovative solutions for water treatment, conservation, and sustainable management practices tailored to the region’s specific needs. Furthermore, IZTECH promotes education and awareness on sustainable water practices among students and the broader community, fostering a culture of responsibility towards water resources. By integrating sustainability principles into its curricula and supporting initiatives that aim to improve water access and sanitation, the İzmir Institute of Technology underscores its dedication to a future where clean water and effective sanitation are accessible to all.
Water is supplied to IZTECH through closed pipelines of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Water and Wastewater Directorate. In the year the water consumption on the campus was measured as 235.680 m3. The University’s Directorate of Construction and Technical Works unit regularly records water consumption on campus.
Water Usage and Care
IZTECH’s wastewater is collected and transported through pipes to the nearest wastewater treatment plant run by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Water and Wastewater Treatment Directorate. The wastewater treatment plant is operated based on an activated sludge process that can achieve carbon and nitrogen removal.
Any pollution that can be caused by an accidental spill is prevented through the activities (raising awareness, training, etc.) of the Occupational Health and Security Unit. The Occupational Health and Security Directive of IZTECH determines the framework of all activities related to health and security on IZTECH campus.
Increase in bottled water prices and its impact on the drastic increase of single-use plastics prompted IZTECH to build water fountains around the campus with purified and potable water. It was IZTECH’s priority for the fountains to not only be a classical structure, but also to be monuments to IZTECH.
IZTECH is bound by law to abide by the Planned Areas Zoning Regulation that was put in effect in 2017 by The Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change.
IZTECH is located on the Karaburun Peninsula of İzmir, Türkiye. The location experiences Mediterranean climate around the year. However, decreasing rainfall in recent years makes water conservation a priority for IZTECH.
Rector Prof. within the scope of the ‘Water Route’ project prepared to draw attention to drought and make the historical water resources of our region visible. Dr. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Yusuf Baran.
The 14th International Hydroscience and Engineering Conference (ICHE 2022), hosted by IZTECH, was held.
International Gediz and Aegean River Basins Symposium was organized under the coordination of IZTECH.
Water Reuse
Sewage is collected through closed pipes at IZTECH campus and it flows towards the IZTECH Wastewater Treatment Plant, that is managed and operated by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality (IzMM) Water Directorate abiding the national sanitary rules and regulations.
Treated wastewater is pumped from the IZTECH wastewater treatment plant (WWTP – 20 m) to a water tank that is located at a higher elevation (80 m). The pump capacity is 20 m3/h and the water tank can hold 1000 m3. Recycled water is used for landscape irrigation by gravity flow.
Water in the Community
The Water Heritage booklet was prepared in line with the data of the research project, “A Model for the Evaluation of Groundwater Resources in the Context of Cultural Heritage” to form a model on the local Scale and from a cultural heritage perspective to create awareness on the global water problem.
IZTECH is bound by law to abide by the Planned Areas Zoning Regulation that was put in effect in 2017 by The Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change. A recent change in the regulation states “In order to save water, it is essential that the flow rates shall not exceed 6 lt/min in sinks and 8 lt/min in showers.”
In the Urban GreenUP project, the nature-based solutions that were implemented during the project cover a variety of complementary yet interconnected aspects of urban life and infrastructures.
Furthermore, a rainwater harvesting project was designed by the students and academics. The project was realized in collaboration with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Rotary Club. The rainwater is collected to be used for watering of the nearby landscape.