ÖzU’s Sustainability Policy provides guidance and direction to minimize resource consumption through good design, including actively promoting efficient water use and maximizing its reuse across the University. In alignment with its environmental consciousness within the framework of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, Özyeğin University has recently published an Institutional Water Footprint Report. Compliant with the ISO 14046 Water Footprint Standard, this report serves as an extension of the university’s previous carbon footprint reports. University Campus Energy and Water Resources User Manual document and Environmental Management Plan illustrate university water management principles and measures taken in detail.

Özyeğin University implements the ISO 46001 Water Efficiency Management System standard to systematically manage water efficiency. The efforts carried out in compliance with the ISO 46001 standard ensure that the university uses its water resources more effectively and achieves water savings.

ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Standard

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is designed to systematically minimize and eliminate the environmental impacts caused by organizations, aiming to create a more sustainable and habitable future. In this context, water management is implemented to reduce water consumption and increase efficiency by protecting water resources.

Özyegin University has been certified to ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Standard since 2014 and fulfills the requirements of management systems. The functioning of the system is regularly checked every year through internal and external audits.

ISO 46001:2019 Water Efficiency Management System Standard

ISO 46001 is a water efficiency management system standard developed to help organizations use their water resources more effectively, sustainably, and efficiently. This standard aims to systematically manage the processes of measuring, monitoring, analyzing, and continuously improving water consumption. It enables organizations to reduce water waste, minimize environmental impacts, and support the sustainable management of water. As a result, both economic and environmental benefits are achieved. The continuity of the process is ensured through internal and external audits.

Water Management

Özyeğin University is committed to minimizing water consumption and reusing water. To ensure the preservation and sustainability of water resources, water consumption is monitored, reported, and minimized through a continuous improvement approach. The University aims to improve its water efficiency and performance, and adopt innovative technologies to minimize environmental impacts related to water throughout its life cycle. Drinking water is also obtained using technological solutions.

Free Drinking Water 

At OzU, free drinking water is provided for students and staff at community kitchens and various locations at the sports center. In the orientation week, new ÖzU students are gifted a steel water bottle as a gesture of the university's commitment to this policy.

Water Conservation

Various conservation measures and awareness details are being implemented at Ozyegin University, with the aim of reducing water losses and increasing water usage efficiency.  
- Climate-appropriate and low-water-demand plants are preferred.  
- Garden irrigation is carried out during the night or in the early hours of the morning.  
- Smart and automatic irrigation systems (drip irrigation, sprinklers, etc.) are used.  
- With automatic irrigation, the irrigation time can be scheduled, and programming contributing to water conservation can be implemented.  
- In wet areas, dual-flush toilets and dual-level reservoirs are used, and minimum water consumption levels are set.  
- Sensor-equipped and low-pressure faucets are used.  
- All faucets in wet areas of the buildings are equipped with aerators.

Treated Water Consumption

Raw water taken from water sources is treated at world standards in drinking water treatment plants and delivered to subscribers. Water treated by İSKİ comes to the campus and after entering, the university re-filters and re-treats water before use.

The water provided to us by ISKI under suitable conditions for consumption is collected in our raw water reservoir. Through the use of hydrofor pumps, it is processed through the purification system and delivered to the potable water reservoirs and soft water reservoirs.  
Similarly, with the help of the relevant potable water and soft water hydrofor pumps, water that has been treated and stored is made readily available for use. It is transported to the required points within our campus through main and secondary water pipes, ensuring the necessary water needs are met. The purification systems on our campus are subject to regular monthly and periodic inspections and audits by authorized service providers. The potable water used on our campus is periodically checked for its suitability by taking samples from external authorized service providers and conducting various analyses.  
Hydrofor and pump groups located on our campus are subject to regular maintenance by authorized service providers. The cleanliness and hygiene maintenance of the water reservoirs on our campus are carried out regularly by the Operation Management Team and checked by Health, Safety and Environment Department.

Water Pollution Control

OzU carries out all its operations within the scope of ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Standard and zero waste standards. Wastewater generated on our campus is conveyed to ISKI's collection points (sewer lines) through main pipelines and treated at The Paşaköy Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant.  
2. It is important that in order to prevent organic blockages, especially in kitchens that can negatively impact the infrastructure, grease separators are used at necessary points. The maintenance of this equipment is also carried out periodically.  
3. All the quality measurements are done by ISKI monthly and published on its web site.

Treatment of Waste Water

At OzU, bioremediation technology is used to use bacteria to solve wastewater pollution which is an environmental problem. These bacteria enable the biodegradation of organic molecules.  This allows us to prevent fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in wash water and wastewater.  The link presents the process that our supplier procures.  
Waste water produced at OzU is sent to  Paşaköy Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has a treatment capacity of 100,000 m3/day to serve a population of 500,000 and features advanced systems and equipment for sludge drying, UV disinfection, and biofiltration. Regular audits are conducted to verify that wastewater is treated.

Water Conscious Building Standards

Ozyegin University's academic buildings have LEED Gold certifications, and one academic building was built as a European Union Project ( NEED4b) exceeding LEED standards.  These buildings aim to minimize water usage.  More information on the building certificates can be accessed here.

Institutional Water Footprint Report

Özyeğin University publishes the Corporate Water Footprint Report in accordance with the ISO 14046 Water Footprint standard in order to analyze its corporate water footprint and support environmental sustainability by referencing its commitment to the management of water resources, in line with its environmental approach within the context of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.

Water Efficiency Mobilization Update  
The “Water Efficiency Mobilization" is a project developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the ultimate goals of ensuring sustainable prosperity, maintaining healthy and high-quality life standards, and leaving a proud legacy for future generations. The initiative embraces the principle of "zero loss" in our water resources, encouraging “Achieving the Same Benefit with Less Water" or “Achieving More Benefit with the Same Amount of Water."  
For more information about Water Efficiency Mobilization: 
OzU supports the water efficiency mobilization project, and a water efficiency mobilization action plan has been developed.

What’s what? How can I save?

• A faucet that leaks a droplet a second will result in water loss of 4.1 liters a day (corresponding to 12 cups of coffee), 1,533 liters a year (corresponding to the daily average water consumption of 11 people). Any leaking faucets or faucets with malfunctioning sensors must be reported.
• Sinks are equipped with aerators that mix the running water with air at certain ratios to increase its flow rate.    
• Making 1,000 liters of domestic water usable and passing it through wastewater treatment processes after use causes 404 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
• Instead of taking long showers in dormitory rooms, residents must try to take shorter showers.
• External irrigation systems should not be left on unnecessarily, and any sprinklers or hoses working unnecessarily should be reported.
• Only the required amount of water should be boiled in kettles.    
• The tap should not be left running while brushing teeth.    
• Water too hot must be reported.
• Pouring liquids such as oil down the drain creates a huge burden on treatment facilities.
• When washing vegetables and fruits in the dormitory kitchens, they should be washed in a bowl, not under running water.
• Washing machines and dishwashers must be started when they are full.