Dublin City University – toward a sustainable campus: water

Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 W6Y4, Ireland

^* Corresponding author: samantha.fahy@dcu.ie

Abstract

Dublin City University, originally established in 1989, is located approximately 5km to the north of Dublin City Centre and is the most significant and comprehensive provider of university education on the rapidly growing and economically important Irish Eastern corridor. DCU is committed to embedding an ethos of sustainability across the entire institution. Sustainable operations are a core element of the DCU Sustainability Plan. Baseline ecological footprint metrics have been agreed and ambitious targets are set on an annual basis to reduce these with the eventual target of delivering a carbon neutral campus. Such baselines have been agreed for all campuses for water consumption. Several projects have been undertaken both on an operational and research footing to address consumption levels. Such projects include full water surveys of all campuses leading to significant savings due to fixing of leaks. In addition to operational projects, DCU focuses on educating and information its internal and external communities raising awareness of the importance of this essential resource and seeking behavioural change to reduce consumption and increase the implementation of water efficient principles and practices.