Goal 6. Clean Water and Sanitation
6.4.2 Water Reuse Measurement
AASTMT practices sustainable water management practices at AASTMT, focusing on groundwater extraction, rainwater harvesting, and innovative pilot projects.
- Groundwater Utilization: The institution extracted 81,000 cubic meters of groundwater in 2022-2023 for irrigation and fire protection systems. Submersible pumps and borehole wells, monitored monthly, ensure water quality compliance with irrigation standards.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater is collected via drainage systems and reused for irrigation, supporting green landscapes and alleviating pressure on municipal water systems. Storage in tanks facilitates year-round use for hydroponics and agriculture.
- Sustainable Technologies:
- Solar-Powered Water Systems: A solar-powered nanofiltration setup treats groundwater, producing drinking water and water suitable for agriculture while reducing water contamination and reliance on non-renewable energy.
- Desalination Units: Solar-powered reverse osmosis units produce potable water from saline groundwater, offering a sustainable solution for arid regions.
- A micro-aquaponic system recycles water from fish tanks for agriculture, leveraging nutrient-rich effluents to enhance soil productivity.
- Atmospheric Water Generation: Using wind energy, these systems extract water from humidity for residential and commercial applications
- Implementing New Irrigation System:AASTMT constantly updates its irrigation system by adding less water consumption planting and replacing old and outdated irrigation tools
- Research and Innovation: By actively involvin in water reuse projects through dedicated research funding, enabling in-depth studies on water related technologies, and sustainable practices.
Sustainable Underground Water Extraction through PV- automated Pumping System (2022-present)
Some AASTMT campuses (especially those with large landscape areas) uses underground water extraction for irrigation. The Abukir campus in AASTMT is about 25-acre of landscape area that is mostly gardens. In that area, palm trees as well as the green land cover are irrigated by borehole wells of groundwater distributed as shown in Figures. Locations and Coordinates of the Borehole Wells are shown below. Water is extracted through deep wells using mechanical drilling, and submersible pumps are used to draw groundwater. The depth of each well is 15 meters, each is equipped with the following:
- A submersible water pump with a power of 3 horsepower.
- Each well covers an area of 8,000 square meters.
- Extracted water flows into dedicated pipes (black in diagram)
- Each well is equipped with a water meter to measure the amount of water extracted during the month.
Underground water is utilized to cover all irrigation needs for all green areas in AAST as well as for filling up fire protection water system. Underground is carefully monitored and analyzed monthly to make sure that water quality meets irrigation specifications. The amount of underground extracted water for the year 2022-2023 was 81000 cubic meters. Underground water is monitored via metering systems monthly and the annual extraction in cubic meters is as follows:
Table 1: Underground Water Extraction Capacity (m3) | |||
2020-2019 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 |
216,000 | 237,000 | 102,000 | 81000 |
Part of the underground water extracted is being treated, utilizing solar energy to power a three-phase pump and an advanced four-stage nanofiltration system. The setup includes JA Solar Mono-455 W photovoltaic panels that capture solar energy, an ABB inverter to convert this power to operate the pump, and the pump itself, which extracts water from the well. The extracted water then passes through the nanofiltration system, designed with four filtration stages to ensure purity, making it suitable for drinking and agricultural use. The nanofiltration approach effectively removes contaminants at a microscopic level, ensuring high-quality, purified water. This solar-powered system is environmentally friendly, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and providing a reliable, renewable method for water purification in remote or resource-limited areas. By combining solar energy with advanced filtration technology, it offers a sustainable, efficient solution for clean water access.
Rainwater Reuse Measures in Campus (2019-present)
Rainwater is harvested through drainage systems and pipes, redirected to soil, green areas, and landscapes for reuse in irrigation and other non-potable applications. Open drainage channels on public surfaces and walkways guide rainwater to agricultural basins and green spaces, reducing pressure on the sanitary sewer network. A rainwater collection pit, located near the College of Architecture and Computers, channels harvested rainwater to garden pipes for campus landscaping. Additionally, rainwater is collected from greenhouse roofs in the Aquaculture Center and stored in ten water tanks with a 500-liter capacity. This water is used year-round in hydroponic systems and fertilizer production units, promoting efficient water use and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Some buildings feature sloped roofs designed for optimal rainwater harvesting. Specialized piping systems channel water from roof surfaces to collection points, where it flows through gutters and downspouts into designated storage or usage systems, ensuring effective and sustainable rainwater reuse.
Pilot Projects Employing Sustainable Sources: (2022-present)
- Development of an automated and mobile water treatment system using solar-powered reverse osmosis to provide and deliver water to arid and remote areas in Egypt. The desalination unit produces between 1.5 to 3 liters per minute, depending on the salinity of groundwater. This system desalinates water using PV system as a sustainable source of energy
- The atmospheric water generator (AWG) extracts water from the humidity present in the air through the process of condensation and purifies it. The atmospheric water generators are divided into two types: production volume rate depending on the size of the application, the target market is bifurcated into residential, commercial, and others. This system is designed to extract 3 liters water per hour. This system extracts water using a wind turbine system as a sustainable source of energy.
- Development of a micro aquaponic integrated system with a capacity of 400 kg per day. This system recycles water used in fish tanks for agriculture purposes since the nutrient content of the water is high and rich for soil.
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Implementing New Irrigation Systems
President Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag visited the agricultural plant nursery at the main campus of the Academy in Abu Qir to assess progress and recent developments. During the visit, he inspected newly added plants, as well as new irrigation systems implemented in the general area and new agricultural greenhouses. The President commended the nursery team for their efforts, especially in adopting modern agricultural and irrigation techniques. He expressed hope for continued efficiency and adherence to modern methods in their work.
Research and Innovation (2019 - present)
More information about internally funded AASTMT projects
Internally funded projects within the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) can significantly contribute to research for water reuse in several ways:
- Research Funding: Internally funded projects provide the financial resources necessary to conduct in-depth research on water reuse technologies, methodologies, and sustainability practices.
- Infrastructure Development: Funding can be allocated to build or enhance facilities like water treatment plants or research laboratories, providing the necessary infrastructure for testing and development.
- Expertise and Collaboration: Projects can bring together multidisciplinary teams of experts from various departments or institutions within AASTMT, fostering collaboration between engineers, environmental scientists, chemists, and policymakers.
- Technology Development: Funding enables the exploration and development of innovative technologies tailored to water reuse, such as advanced filtration systems, membrane technologies, or efficient purification methods.
Advancing Water Resource Management: The Experience of the MED-QUAD Project
The AASTMT, as the Egyptian partner of the MED-QUAD project, played an active role in transferring innovative cross-border knowledge and skills throughout the project's implementation. Professor Yasser Gaber Dessouky, the Dean of Scientific Research and Innovation and local project manager for AASTMT, expressed satisfaction with the collaborative efforts. He shared the project's achievements at both the European and local levels. Notably, the MED-QUAD project in Egypt adopted the Quadruple Helix approach, leading to significant accomplishments in water resource management and cultural heritage preservation. This partnership has contributed to advancements in sustainable water management, community engagement, and cutting-edge research, showcasing the transformative impact of MED-QUAD on Egypt's water resources and cultural heritage.The SWUAP Living Lab has achieved significant research outcomes, including MSc theses exploring the use of macroalgae as a sustainable bio-adsorbent for dye removal in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The lab has also focused on spatial-temporal monitoring of groundwater quality, particularly in understanding the impacts of climate change. Collaborative publications in reputable journals like the Fermentation Journal and the Global NEST Journal cover diverse topics, ranging from sustainable biomethane production to the agricultural benefits of zeolite and backwash water. A study submitted to the Global NEST Journal highlights the application of Metal–Organic Frameworks in industrial wastewater treatment. Notably, research findings on the biosorption potential of red algae for dye removal were published in the Scientific Reports Journal, contributing significantly to sustainable water treatment methods. On the other hand, the ARCHEO Living Lab in Egypt utilizes virtual and augmented reality to provide a unique cultural experience for visitors, both physically present and virtually connected, contributing to the Applied Research on Utilization of Cultural Heritage (ARCHEO).
Advancing Water Resource Management: the experience of the MED-QUAD Project
Advancing Water Resource Management: the experience of the MED-QUAD Project
