AASTMT relies on two primary water sources: tap water treated from government purification facilities and groundwater extracted from underground sources, mainly for irrigation. Since 2017, AASTMT has implemented monthly water consumption monitoring to establish a systematic approach to tracking water usage trends. Data is collected through meters that measure potable water supplied by the municipal water distribution system, groundwater extraction from wells, and wastewater discharged into the sewage system.
Water usage across all AASTMT campuses is systematically measured using flow meters, with the data recorded monthly. The collected information tracks water consumption for various purposes, including drinking, cooking, fire suppression, laundry, pool maintenance, irrigation, and sanitation taking into account that some campuses have student dorms. Below is an example of the measured consumption data for Abukir Campus, which is the largest one among all in AAST for 2022-2023, followed by a comparison for annual water consumption since 2017-2023. Abukir campus on its own has a total of 25 water meters as in the table below. Additionally, all AASTMT campuses are demonstrated showing the total annual consumption of each since 2021.
Function | Number |
District Alexandria Water Company (Government) meters | 7 |
AAST meters for water consumption of the leased entities (cafeterias) | 11 |
AAST meters for extracted underground water used in irrigation | 7 |
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In 2022-2023, a significant reduction of 38.3% in water consumption was observed compared to 2020 levels, excluding 2021 due to the pandemic. This reduction highlights the impact of sustainable practices aimed at optimizing water use, minimizing wastage, and promoting environmental responsibility within the campus. Abukir has the highest contribution among all campuses, the figure below presents the water consumption for the month of August, which consistently records the highest levels in recent years (The billing of August appears in the September bill as indicated below).
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Carbon Footprint Estimation and Reduction in the AASTMT Campus Towards developing a Model for Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (Green Campus) (2020-2021)
Maintaining a comprehensive record of water bills for each AASTMT campus and analyzing the overall water consumption of the university is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it enables the university to actively monitor and manage its water usage patterns, identifying areas of high consumption and potential areas for optimization. By having detailed records, AASTMT can implement targeted water conservation measures, promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact. Additionally, analyzing water bills provides valuable data for budgeting and resource allocation, allowing the university to make informed decisions about water-related expenditures. The main objective of the study is to calculate a transparent carbon footprint of AASTMT’s Abu Kir campus from 2018 to 2021, identify the role of COVID-19 on the carbon footprint of AASTMT. The project aimed to establish a framework for ongoing monitoring and reporting of water consumption, both yearly and monthly, which can help to mitigate climate change by reducing AASTMT’s greenhouse gas emissions. Abu Kir campus was used as a pilot project as an initial step.
The report provides a detailed analysis of water consumption and resulting carbon emissions in AASTMT. It includes data on water consumption for each year from 2018 to 2021, as well as figures and tables that illustrate the trends in water consumption and carbon emissions over time. For example, Figure 8 shows the total amount of water consumption in cubic meters per year, while Figures 9 to 16 visualize the monthly water consumption and resulting emissions for each year individually. The graphs exhibit variations in water consumption and emissions throughout the year, which can be attributed to various factors such as the academic calendar, weather, and specific events or activities on campus. The report also presents figures that show the emissions resulting from water consumption, such as Figure 11, which displays the calculated emissions (in kg CO2e/year) from water consumption in 2018.
In addition, the report highlights various measures that have been implemented to reduce water consumption and associated carbon emissions on campus, such as the installation of water-efficient fixtures and the implementation of water conservation campaigns.
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