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Water

Running water from a water dispenser
Water dispenser in the Kollegienhaus of the University of Basel. (Image: Anna Wirz, © NMC, University of Basel)

Water is used for many purposes in research, teaching and administration: as drinking water, for cleaning, in cafeterias, in steam production for sterilization, and as cooling water in laboratories. After an increase in 2019 of 6.4 % in comparison with previous years, water consumption in 2020 dropped by 20.2 % to 201,680 m³ due to the coronavirus pandemic among other reasons.

Icon of SDG 6.4
Contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/)

 


Water is an essential resource with limited availability. The University of Basel strives for sustainable use of water along the organization's entire value chain. For this purpose, water-saving measures are constantly tested on campus and data collection methods improved.

Christopher Weiss, Campusmanager Schällemätteli, Rosental & Allschwil

On the Schällemätteli and Rosental campuses, water is primarily used in research and the associated facilities. To reduce water consumption, we make sure to purchase instruments and equipment that require less water and try to optimize management of building services

Christopher Weiss, Campusmanager Schällemätteli, Rosental & Allschwil

Goals & actions

Goals 2021/2022
Actions
Responsible unit
Goals 2021/2022

Improve data collection and monitoring of energy and water consumption

Actions

Implement a new energy management and monitoring system (EMMS) to improve controlling and optimize operations. First use at new Petersplatz central cooling system from mid-2021

Responsible unit

Project management & engineering

Goals 2021/2022

Reduce water consumption at the University of Basel

Actions

Examine water-saving measures at the campus level

Responsible unit

Facilities
Campus managers

Achieved Goals 2019/2020
Actions
Responsible unit
Achieved Goals 2019/2020

Improve data collection and monitoring of energy and water consumption

Actions

Collect data for usable floor space to calculate energy and water consumption per m2 (of usable floor space)


Calculate total energy and water consumption, like-for-like (based on usable floor space)

Responsible unit

Real estate development

 

 

 


Sustainability Office
Project management & engineering

Footnote
Footnote

[1] Associated buildings including the Swiss Tropical Institute and the university hospital were not taken into account.

Footnote

[2] In 2019, daily household consumption of private individuals in Switzerland was 142 liters per day, or 52,000 liters (52 m3) per year.

Footnote

[3] Cooling water consumption for 2016-2018 was estimated due to lack of data. 

Footnote

[4] Full Time Equivalents (FTE) include the number of employees (100% = 1 FTE) and the number of students. Students are counted as 0.68 FTE. A total of 11,716 FTE was used for 2019 and 12,012 FTE for 2020.

Footnote

[5] A total of 154,971 m2 was used in 2019 and 160,933 m2 in 2020.

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