Water consumption tracking

CUT conducts comprehensive water consumption tracking across all campus facilities. All inbound water is supplied exclusively through the municipal mains network of the District Local Government Organisations of Limassol and Paphos. CUT does not extract water from rivers, lakes, aquifers, nor operate on-site desalination. The municipal supply is a seasonal blend of treated surface water and desalinated seawater. Total water use is measured through the annual metered volumes recorded on EOAs’ billing meters, which cover all buildings, irrigation areas, and cooling systems. Laboratory DI/RO units and point-of-use filters rely solely on the same mains supply. In 2024, CUT consumed 8468 m³, all from treated mains water, with 0 m³ from groundwater, surface water abstraction, or on-site desalination.

Wastewater treatment

CUT ensures full wastewater treatment by directing all wastewater into the central sewage system of Limassol and Paphos, as documented by the Environmental Policy Office. The wastewater is processed at the respective central wastewater treatment plants in full compliance with environmental protection and public health standards under Directive (EU) 2024/3019. The resulting treated wastewater is primarily reused for irrigation in agriculture and horticulture. Through this process, CUT actively supports the national wastewater reuse policy, contributing to sustainable development and environmentally responsible practices. Further information on treatment operations is available through the Sewerage Boards of Limassol and Paphos.

Preventing water system pollution

CUT implements strict procedures for preventing water system pollution by ensuring the safe collection and management of all laboratory waste. No hazardous substances are ever discharged into the municipal sewage system. All waste is separated into dedicated containers according to category-chemical (organic, inorganic, metal/organometallic, chlorinated and non-chlorinated compounds) and biological-and removed exclusively by a licensed company authorised by the Ministry of Environment. The contractor provides full documentation confirming compliant recycling or environmentally sound disposal, in line with national and EU environmental protection regulations. CUT also promotes safe practices by selecting environmentally friendly laboratory and cleaning products and by offering targeted sustainability training under its ISO 45001 health and safety system, supported by annual refresher courses.

Free drinking water provided

CUT provides free drinking water to its community as part of its strategic commitment to environmental, social, and health sustainability. All staff have access to filtered drinking water through filtration units installed in the kitchens of every university building, supplied via the public water network of the District Local Government Organisation. This initiative reduces plastic bottle use, lowers emissions from plastic transportation, and limits exposure to plastic-leaching pollutants, as confirmed by CUT research. To further promote sustainability and support students, CUT has also installed an outdoor drinking water fountain, offering free and safe water access. The fountain was implemented through the “Refill, don’t landfill” campaign of the NGO Let’s Make Cyprus Green, which sponsored the filter and installation, reinforcing CUT’s efforts to encourage responsible water use across campus.

Water-conscious building standards

CUT applies water-conscious building standards across its facilities to minimise water use and support sustainable operations. All university buildings are equipped with water-efficient fixtures, including automatic faucets with mechanisms that stop water flow immediately after use and motion-sensor taps that ensure water runs only when needed. Additionally, dual-flush toilet systems allow users to select lower or higher water-volume options, contributing to responsible and efficient water management. These measures form part of CUT’s broader commitment to sustainability and conscious water consumption, and detailed evidence of the installations is provided on the webpage of the Environmental Policy Office.

Water-conscious planting

CUT implements water-conscious planting across all available green areas, selecting drought-tolerant and climate-appropriate species to minimise water use and promote sustainable water management. Native Mediterranean plants, including olive and carob trees, are incorporated into campus landscapes such as the Andreas Themistocleous building. Additional water-efficient planting takes place at the University’s agricultural field in Lofou and within the CUT greenhouse, which also hosts an aromatic garden of traditional and endemic species that support biodiversity. Through research projects and plant-adoption initiatives, CUT promotes the use of drought-resistant species within the wider community. Planned green spaces at the future Berengaria development will further strengthen CUT’s long-term commitment to sustainable, water-conscious landscaping.

Water reuse policy

CUT implements a comprehensive water reuse policy through its official Water Management Policy, which guides sustainable water use, recycling, and responsible resource management across all operations. The Policy ensures that water is sourced exclusively from the District Local Authorities in line with legislation, while opportunities for water recycling, reuse, and the use of recycled water are explored wherever technically feasible. Provisions also include the evaluation of water-recycling technologies, the sustainable use of potential groundwater sources, and the prompt reporting of leaks to minimise losses. CUT promotes education, research, and innovation in water resource management, encouraging participation in initiatives that enhance water-use efficiency. Implementation is supported by an Action Plan with defined objectives and monitoring procedures. CUT remains committed to responsible water management and the protection of water as a valuable natural resource.

Water reuse measurement

CUT conducts water reuse measurement by tracking the total volume of water used on campus, which generates an equivalent volume of wastewater discharged into the central sewage systems of Limassol and Paphos. As documented by the Environmental Policy Office, this wastewater is treated at the respective central wastewater treatment plants in full compliance with Directive (EU) 2024/3019. After treatment, the treated wastewater is primarily reused for irrigation in agriculture and horticulture, in alignment with national wastewater reuse practices. For 2024, an estimated 8000 m³ of treated effluent- adjusted for less than 5% losses from leaks and evaporation- was made available for reuse by municipalities and farmers in the Limassol and Paphos districts

Water management educational opportunities

CUT provides free and paid water management educational opportunities for local communities, schools, competent authorities, professionals, and citizens. Throughout 2024, the University delivered a wide range of open-access events, workshops, seminars, mobile applications, and conferences that enhanced public understanding of good water management. Free activities included school awareness campaigns, educational mobile apps, museum engagement tools, an Open Day on cyanobacterial bloom management, and public demonstrations of water treatment processes. Paid opportunities included international scientific conferences on water technologies and a specialised professional Training Programme on Environmental Impact Assessment with water-related modules. Through these initiatives, CUT strengthens community knowledge, professional capacity, and societal awareness, actively advancing SDG 6 and promoting responsible and sustainable water use across Cyprus.

Off-campus water conservation support

CUT actively strengthens off-campus water conservation through research, community engagement, and capacity-building initiatives that extend sustainable water management beyond the University. The Water Treatment Laboratory (WTL-AQUA) monitors cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in collaboration with national authorities, supporting compliance with EU Directive 2020/2184 and safeguarding surface-water quality. Under the INTERREG DOMUS-CW project, CUT partnered with the Choletria Community to reconstruct a nature-based wastewater-treatment wetland, which now operates as a living classroom offering field labs, workshops, and training for residents. These actions enhance community-level skills in water stewardship, monitoring, and conservation. Collectively, CUT’s initiatives reinforce Cyprus’s water-conservation capacity and advance SDG 6 through practical, off-campus environmental support.

Sustainable water extraction on campus

CUT ensures sustainable water extraction by sourcing all campus water exclusively through the central municipal distribution system of Limassol. As the University does not extract water on campus from aquifers, lakes, rivers, or any natural sources, all water supplied to CUT is obtained off campus by the national Water Development Department. This authority employs certified sustainable water extraction technologies and practices, as documented on its official platform. Since water sourcing is carried out solely by the national department, CUT relies entirely on these sustainably managed processes for its water supply, ensuring full compliance with national standards and environmentally responsible resource management.

Cooperation on water security

CUT cooperates extensively on water security through local, national, regional, and global partnerships that strengthen research, monitoring, and capacity-building. At the local level, CUT contributes to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize by supporting youth-led water-innovation initiatives. Nationally, CUT advances water-quality research through AQUA’s cyanobacteria monitoring, the Water & Health Laboratory’s environmental health studies, and nationwide tap-water analyses under the CHILDREN FIRST Network. Regionally, the Eratosthenes CoE supports water-resource optimisation through digital tools such as the Agri NexusHub. Globally, CUT collaborates with international institutions, including an MoU with ICHA University (South Korea) and representation in the EU COST Action CYANOACTION. Collectively, these collaborations enhance resilience to water scarcity and reinforce progress toward SDG 6.

Promoting conscious water usage on campus

CUT actively promotes conscious water usage across its campuses, in alignment with its sustainable Water Management Policy. Water use mainly relates to toilets, taps, and kitchen areas, where water-efficient installations- including dual-flush toilets and sensor- or time-controlled taps- minimise unnecessary consumption. The University also provides filtered drinking water through kitchen water coolers and an outdoor refill station, reducing plastic use and supporting responsible water use. All buildings are connected to the central sewage system, where wastewater is treated and indirectly reused for irrigation, contributing to national water-reuse efforts. Additionally, CUT maintains climate-appropriate greenery, ensuring that any planted areas follow water-efficient landscaping practices suited to Cyprus’s environmental conditions.

Promoting conscious water usage in the wider community

CUT actively promotes conscious water usage in the wider community through educational outreach, youth engagement, and dissemination of scientific knowledge. At the 2024 European Researchers’ Night, CUT demonstrated a small-scale water treatment plant to educate the public on national water-treatment processes and water-quality monitoring. CUT academics also mentored secondary-school teams for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, supporting youth-led solutions to global water challenges. Additionally, the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence presented the Agri NexusHub, a digital tool that provides evapotranspiration data to help farmers and local authorities improve irrigation efficiency. Through these targeted initiatives, CUT strengthens public awareness and community capacity for sustainable and responsible water use, reinforcing its contribution to SDG 6.