6.5.3 Off-campus water conservation support

Off-Campus Water Conservation Support

Boğaziçi University also actively contributes to water conservation and sustainable water management efforts off-campus. Within the scope of the INDEPENDENT Project, the university's AlgBU Microalgae Technologies Centre has conducted research on the use of microalgae in wastewater treatment systems and the reduction of water pollution. Microalgae have the capacity to absorb heavy metals, toxins and nutrients in wastewater, thus purifying the water from organic pollutants

The ultrasonic water purification method developed by Boğaziçi University Institute of Environmental Sciences is used to remove residues of pharmaceuticals and wastes from personal care products that can be mixed into municipal and drinking water. This method is a first in Turkey and has taken an important step towards improving the chemical quality of water.

The University also prepared the report ‘Plastic Waste Problem in Turkey and Policy Recommendations’ in cooperation with WWF-Turkey. This report offers solutions to reduce plastic wastes that cause pollution by mixing into fresh water and seas.

Organised in 2023, the ‘Climate-Water-Agriculture Summit for a Sustainable Future’ focused on sustainable water policies, and representatives from different sectors were informed about water management and water saving.

Finally, with the ‘Drainage by Design: Optimising Stormwater Infrastructure in Istanbul’ project carried out jointly with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), solutions have been developed for Istanbul's flood and infrastructure problems and guidance continues to be provided on rainwater recovery.

Related Links

2024 Sustainability Report SDG-6 (Related Section)

Off-Campus Water Conservation Support

Boğaziçi University raises awareness on conscious water consumption and sustainable water management in off-campus communities through meetings, civil society projects and scientific research.

Climate-Water-Agriculture Summit for a Sustainable Future

In 2023, at the ‘Climate-Water-Agriculture Summit for a Sustainable Future’ organised by Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policy Research and Application Centre (İklimBU) and Argo TV, representatives and experts from various sectors came together to discuss water policies, problems and solutions, and examples of good practices in the world on water policies were given.

For More Information

https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/gelecegin-surdurulebilir-tarimi-bogazicinde-t/2693

Integrated Biorefinery Concept for Bioeconomy Driven Development (INDEPENDENT)

Within the scope of the Integrated Biorefinery Concept for Bioeconomy Driven Development (INDEPENDENT) project carried out at Boğaziçi University AlgBU Microalgae Technologies Centre, research has been carried out on the use of microalgae in wastewater treatment systems and reduction of water pollution. Microalgae have the capacity to absorb heavy metals, toxins and nutrients in wastewater, thus purifying water from organic and inorganic pollutants. The use of microalgae in domestic, industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment has a strong potential for water conservation and protection of water resources.

For More Information

https://algbu.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/cevre-ve-enerji

Drainage by Design: Optimizing Stormwater Infrastructure in İstanbul

The ‘Drainage by Design: Optimising Stormwater Infrastructure in Istanbul’ project, implemented in collaboration with Boğaziçi University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has provided guidance for both disaster prevention and stormwater recycling by offering infrastructure optimisation solutions suitable for climate change in Istanbul.

For More Information

http://www.eng.boun.edu.tr/tr/bogazici-universitesi-ve-mitden-istanbulu-sel-ve-su-baskinlarindan-korumak-icin-ortak-proje

https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/en/news/academic/1/a-project-from-bogazici-university-and-mit-to/1622

Water Treatment with Ultrasonic Waves

The ultrasonic water treatment method developed by Boğaziçi University Institute of Environmental Sciences enables the cleaning of pharmaceutical residues and personal care product wastes (toothpaste, cosmetic creams, shampoo, body gel, etc.) that can be mixed into municipal and drinking water. With this method, which is a first in Turkey, an important step has been taken to improve the chemical quality of water and to save money by recycling water.

For More Information

https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/akademik/1/icme-suyundaki-ilac-kalintilari-sagligimizi-t/438

Green Generation Restaurant Movement

Boğaziçi University also raises awareness on conscious water consumption through civil society projects and scientific research. The Green Generation Restaurant Movement, organised in cooperation with Boğaziçi University and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF-Turkey), encouraged the conscious use of water by adopting sustainable consumption habits in the food and beverage sector.

For More Information

https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/yesil-nesil-restoran-hareketine-bogazici-univ/94