Water Management

EdUHK is committed to responsible water stewardship and the protection of water resources. Through regulatory compliance, water-efficient infrastructure, pollution prevention, rainwater harvesting, regular monitoring and community engagement, the University seeks to reduce water consumption, protect water quality and promote sustainable water use across campus.

Our approach to water management is guided by the University’s Water Management Policy and supports our wider sustainability commitments.

Tracking and Monitoring Water Consumption

The University tracks and monitors water consumption to identify usage patterns, detect abnormal consumption and assess the effectiveness of water-saving measures. The findings support operational decisions, including leak detection, maintenance planning and the implementation of water-efficiency measures.

Water consumption data are reviewed regularly. Performance is compared with baseline year to support continuous improvement. For details, please click HERE.

Where appropriate, water consumption information is used to:

identify areas of unusually high consumption
support leak detection and repair
evaluate water-efficient fittings and appliances
assess the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems
facilitate the planning of water-saving measures

Preventing Water System Pollution

The University is dedicated to safeguarding our water resources through comprehensive measures that prevent water system pollution across campus. We strictly adhere to the requirements of the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358) to ensure all activities comply with established environmental standards.

All campus operations are monitored to identify and control potential sources of water pollution. These measures include:

appropriate drainage and wastewater management systems
regular inspection and maintenance of water and drainage infrastructure
monitoring and analysis of wastewater quality, where applicable
proper handling and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances
procedures for responding to spills, leaks and other environmental incidents
controls to prevent pollutants, oils and other harmful substances from entering drains

The procedures for the storage, use, handling and disposal of hazardous substances are set out in the Health, Safety and Environmental Manual. Staff and students must follow these procedures when working with chemicals and other potentially polluting materials.

Drinking Water Quality and Safety

The University is committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water for all campus members and visitors.

Since 2020, the University has participated in the Quality Water Supply Scheme for Buildings – Fresh Water (Management System) initiated by the Water Supplies Department. Through this scheme, EdUHK implements a water safety management approach covering the University’s internal plumbing systems.

The University’s water safety measures include:

maintaining the integrity of internal water supply systems
implementing appropriate inspection and maintenance procedures
managing potential risks associated with water storage and distribution
taking corrective action when irregularities are identified

Wastewater Discharge Management, Guidelines and Standards

The University manages wastewater discharge in accordance with the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 358), applicable discharge licences and conditions, and relevant technical standards and guidelines issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The Water Pollution Control Ordinance provides the regulatory framework for controlling water pollution in Hong Kong by establishing discharge requirements, licensing arrangements and permissible pollutant limits for wastewater discharged into drainage and sewerage systems or receiving waters.

The University follows the standards set out in the EPD’s Technical Memorandum for Effluents Discharged into Drainage and Sewerage Systems, Inland and Coastal Waters. These standards specify limits for parameters such as suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, pH, temperature, oils, grease, metals and other substances, depending on the nature and destination of the discharge.

Wastewater generated from campus buildings and facilities is discharged into the government sewerage network and conveyed to the Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works for treatment. The treatment process includes screening and degritting, followed by biological treatment before the treated effluent is discharged in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. While the University’s wastewater is treated through the public sewerage system, the University remains responsible for maintaining suitable on-campus drainage infrastructure and controlling wastewater at the point of discharge.

The University takes practicable measures to ensure that wastewater entering the sewerage network is properly managed and does not contain substances that could damage the sewerage system, interfere with treatment processes or cause pollution. These measures include:

maintaining suitable drainage, wastewater and sewage infrastructure;
monitoring wastewater quality where required or appropriate;
assessing relevant wastewater sources and discharge risks;
preventing oils, chemicals, hazardous substances and other pollutants from entering drains;
providing appropriate arrangements for the storage and handling of chemicals and other substances that may affect water quality;
inspecting, cleaning and maintaining relevant drainage and wastewater equipment;
identifying and addressing leaks, blockages, abnormal discharges and other potential sources of pollution;
communicating applicable wastewater-discharge requirements to relevant staff, contractors and service providers; and
responding promptly to abnormal discharge conditions or pollution incidents, including taking corrective and containment measures where necessary.

We retain relevant maintenance, inspection and monitoring and periodically review its wastewater management arrangements to support regulatory compliance, pollution prevention and continual improvement. Through these measures, the University seeks to uphold water quality and minimize the impact of wastewater discharges on ecosystems, wildlife, human health and welfare. For further information on Hong Kong’s water pollution control requirements and effluent standards, please click HERE.

Regular Maintenance and Leak Prevention

Regular inspection and maintenance of plumbing, drainage, irrigation and water-related equipment are essential components of water management approach. Estates Office carries out routine inspections to identify and address:

leaking faucets, pipes and water tanks
defective flushing systems
damaged irrigation equipment
abnormal water consumption
blocked or damaged drainage systems
faults in water-efficient or monitoring equipment

Campus members are encouraged to report leaks or other water-related problems promptly through online Defects Rectification Works Request Form (staff only) or via email at wmeo@eduhk.hk.

Water Conscious Building Standards

Our campus infrastructure is designed with sustainability and water efficiency in mind. Key features include:

Water Efficiency of Cooling Tower: We employ real-time chemical monitoring and dosing controllers that optimize chemical usage and enhance water quality. These systems are integrated with automated bleed-off mechanisms, which discharge water based on live water quality data, minimizing unnecessary water wastage.
Water-Efficient Fittings and Appliances: We install fixtures and appliances that are certified under the Hong Kong Water Supplies Department’s Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme or equivalent standards (Grade 1 and 2), ensuring optimal water use across our facilities.
Rainwater Harvesting System: In Eco-Garden, rainwater is collected in the Rainwater Harvesting System for irrigation, significantly reducing the reliance on potable water for landscaping needs.
Behaviour-activated Showerheads: Behaviour-activated showerhead has a built-in LED light system and water usage monitor. The indicator light will be changed according to users’ water usage and serves as a reminder when water is overused. The showerheads have been installed in the Grantham Hall and Robert Black Hall as a joint-university pilot programme.

Through these measures, our campus continually strives to reduce water consumption, promote sustainable practices, and foster a culture of conservation among our community members.

Drinking Water Stations

There are 22 drinking water stations across the Tai Po Campus, offering students, staff and visitors convenient access to free drinking water.

The availability of these stations supports healthy hydration and encourages members of the University community to carry and refill reusable water bottles. By providing an alternative to purchasing bottled water, the stations help reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles and the amount of plastic waste generated on campus.

The drinking water stations are located at convenient points across the campus, including areas used by students, staff and visitors. Members of the University community are encouraged to make use of these facilities and bring reusable bottles as part of their daily water-saving and waste-reduction practices.

For locations of the drinking water stations, please click HERE.

Sustainable Water Extraction on Campus

The University promotes the sustainable use of rainwater through the rainwater harvesting system at the Eco-Garden. The water pond collects rainwater from the surrounding area, which is then used for landscape irrigation, reducing reliance on potable water for non-potable purposes.

Collected rainwater is transferred by pumps to an irrigation tank and distributed to landscaped areas through an automated, timer-controlled irrigation system. Irrigation schedules are adjusted according to weather conditions, landscaping needs and operational requirements to support efficient water use and minimize wastage.

The system and associated equipment are inspected and maintained regularly. This includes checking the pond, pumps, irrigation tank, pipes and sprinkler system to identify leaks, equipment faults or inefficient water distribution. Where practicable, the University will monitor the amount of harvested rainwater used and explore opportunities to expand water-reuse measures on campus.

Water Conscious Planting

Estates Office manages extensive landscaped areas across its campuses, including more than 1,000 trees. These trees and other plants help provide shade, reduce heat, support biodiversity and enhance the campus environment.

To reduce irrigation demand, we select plant species that are appropriate for Hong Kong’s climate and site conditions. Where practicable, native, locally adapted and drought-tolerant species are used because they generally require less frequent watering once established. Plant selection also takes account of soil conditions, sunlight exposure, maintenance requirements and suitability for the campus environment.

Rainwater collected through the Eco-Garden rainwater harvesting system is used for landscape irrigation, reducing reliance on potable water. The irrigation system uses stored rainwater from the water pond and transfers it to an irrigation tank for distribution to landscaped areas. Timer-controlled irrigation helps ensure that watering is carried out at appropriate times and avoids unnecessary water use.

We also adopt water-saving irrigation practices, including targeted watering of planting areas and regular adjustment of irrigation schedules according to plant requirements and weather conditions. Irrigation systems are inspected and maintained to identify leaks, blockages, faulty equipment and areas of overwatering.

Landscape maintenance practices include regular tree and plant care, pruning, weed control, soil management and replacement of unhealthy plants with species suited to the local conditions. Where appropriate, mulching and other soil-moisture retention practices may be used to reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture.

Promoting Responsible Water Use

The University seeks to foster a culture of responsible water consumption among students, staff, contractors and visitor, and promotes practical actions such as:

taking shorter showers
turning off faucets when water is not required
reporting leaks promptly
avoiding the unnecessary use of potable water
following water-saving instructions displayed on campus
using water responsibly in laboratories, residences, offices and other facilities

Strategically placed signs and educational materials remind users to adopt water-saving practices at washrooms, shower facilities, drinking water stations and other relevant locations.

Campus Sustainability