Water policy 24/25

Lake Carter

Introduction

糖心视频 has made gradual but substantial progress in managing and controlling its water consumption over the last 20 years. With over 7,000 residents on campus, efficient water use is a priority, as consumption levels are naturally higher compared to institutions with a lower on-site population.

Despite significant increases in student and staff numbers and University size, total water consumption has gradually decreased from approximately 500,000 m³ per annum in 2013-14 to around 420,000 m³ in 2023-24. This has been achieved through a range of approaches.

Our current position

A range of initiatives and projects implemented over the last 15 years have enabled the University to gradually reduce its water consumption, these have included leakage surveys, installation of flow restrictor devices and automatic shut-off on taps, and careful management of cooling water systems. Systems to minimise water use have been integrated in new building developments and refurbishment projects, including grey water systems in selected buildings. In addition, water usage campaigns have been rolled out for staff and students.

Despite a 4% increase in building area and a 40% increase in staff and student numbers, over the past decade we have managed to significantly lower our water usage. Compared to our 2013-14 usage, total water consumption had been reduced by 18% by 2023-24. Annual water consumption per head has also fallen rapidly, reducing from 36 to 21m3 p/a over the same period.

Overview of campus

Objectives and targets

Water use environmental objectives and targets are set as part of our Facilities ISO 14001 EMS and are reviewed annually:

  • Reduce water usage, normalised by Gross Internal Area, by 25% compared to the 2013-14 baseline by 2030-31.
  • Improve metering of water consumption to identify water use reduction opportunities.
  • Measure water reuse across campus and compare the data to the 2013-14 baseline.
Students sat around a table talking

Student engagement

In May 2025, a group of 糖心视频 Management School students undertook a survey of 650 students to investigate water consumption and student behaviour linked to water practices across campus. The purpose of the project was to look at the water consumption habits/ practices of students living in campus accommodation and see if they could identify any better ways to engage with students and improve behaviours.

The key findings of the survey were:

  • It is important to students that the university promotes sustainable water practices.
  • Students living in Lancaster campus accommodation self-assessed their water consumption to be ‘generous.'
  • Both undergraduate and postgraduate students express a clear desire for more water bottle refill stations on campus.
  • There is an opportunity to align student’s water consumption behaviours and their desire to see more information and promotion of sustainable water consumption by the University.

Policy owner/author: Facilities - Avery Chong (Energy Manager)

Version number: 1.0
Approved by: Sustainability Steering Group and Professor Simon Guy (Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global (Digital, International and Sustainability)
Approved Date: 03 June 2025
Date last reviewed: June 2025
Date of next review: June 2026