Clean Water and Sanitation
Water consumption tracking
https://www.yuntech-csr.tw/tw/environmental/management
YunTech purchases tap water from the government-owned Taiwan Water Corporation for its use.
We measure the total volume of water utilized throughout the university. Additionally, YunTech adheres to environmental protection laws and regulations. The university has a sewage treatment plant with a maximum daily capacity of approximately 1,500 tons. The biological extended aeration method is employed to treat the domestic sewage produced, ensuring that the water quality meets the effluent standards before being discharged into the Bajiao River Basin without causing pollution. Moreover, YunTech has built a campus water recycling system for landscape irrigation, fountains, firefighting, road moisturizing, hydrophilic facilities, and watering of flora.
Water usage and care
Wastewater treatment
http://en.yuntech-csr.tw/clean-water-and-sanitation/
https://green.yuntech.edu.tw/link.php?id=11
YunTech abides by environmental protection regulations, effectively controlling and preventing environmental pollution and hazards. Embracing the concept of recycling and regeneration, the university treasures water resources to achieve the goals of environmental protection, ecological conservation, economical use of resources, and environmental education.
From the outset, the university planned a sewage collection pipeline system that uses the biological extended aeration method to treat domestic sewage generated by the entire campus community, ensuring the water quality meets effluent standards before being discharged into the Bajiao River Basin. Additionally, the campus has a gray water recycling system, which is used for campus landscaping, fountains, fire fighting, road moisturizing, hydrophilic facilities, and the irrigation of plants and trees.
Preventing water system pollution
https://green.yuntech.edu.tw/link.php?id=11
The sewage system, reclaimed water reuse system, and tap water system set up in our school are all independent systems, so there is no possibility of sewage entering the water system for pollution.
The reclaimed water utilization system in campus is to process the urban sewage to reach certain water quality standards and use the reclaimed water repeatedly in non-drinking water and water without contacts with human bodies. The main use of reclaimed water is for flushing in toilet, garden irrigation, road moisturizing, car washing, fountains, water used in promenade facilities, and water for cooling down equipment. There is also billboard hanging above faucets for watering. (the secondary waterway providing reclaimed water for watering flowers only and cannot be used as water to drink or washing hands)
In the early stage of establishment, school already planned sewage collection pipeline system and set a sewage treatment to process the sewage produced by students and faculty in daily lives with biological extension aeration method. The sewage is firstly processed with secondary extension aeration method and part of the processed sewage is further proceeded thirdly. Then the processed water will be recycled to groundwater water supply system to replace the original groundwater to serve as the water used in landscaping, firefighting, artificial lakes, and flushing of toilets in student dormitories.
Free drinking water provided
Our school has a total of 190 public drinking fountains, with numbers continuously increasing. All drinking fountains are equipped with reverse osmosis systems and are maintained and tested for water quality by professional service providers regularly, to enhance the quality of drinking water and ensure it meets safe drinking water standards. We also post notices explaining the maintenance and inspection records of each drinking fountain to reassure users. Students, staff, and visitors can drink directly from these fountains free of charge.
Water-conscious building standards
https://green.yuntech.edu.tw/link.php?id=11
The school adopts the building standards to minimize the water use. Every toilet sets up the water-saving toilets, water saving measures for stopcocks, and other facilities. YunTech has five green buildings, which are designed to be environmentally friendly and effective in the resources use. Two of the green buildings are equipped with the rainwater temporary storage pool. The rainwater storage pool provides the plant irrigation around the building, so as to reduce the use of water resources.
The campus’s sewage is treated by the secondary extended aeration unit, and the treated wastewater is used as the campus landscape water, fire water, artificial lake replenishment and toilet flushing.
To provide a place to exhibit the innovations energy-saving lectures and energy saving results, our school self-raised funds and adding 15 millions of donation from Scholarship of Zhuo-Zhang Zong Education Foundation to invest 30 million dollars to build a sustainable, green and smart Vision Gallery next to Yun Meng Lake, which utilizes the functions of the lake and pools to design waterfront ecology, rainwater recovery, heat exchange system of lake and ground water, photovoltaic system, sun-chasing system, energy saving air conditioning, and energy monitoring system , etc. to serve as the displaying platform for innovations of industry and academia. Cross-domain green low-carbon technology and innovations were also integrated in the implementations of green energy, smart energy-saving and the researches, development, and lecturing of smart green building to cultivate talents for green smart innovations. Besides, YunTech serves as fields to practice and experience cross-domain “Green Tech Program” and” Energy & Electricity Saving Program”, and shows the results of innovations from industry and academics. This could serve as references for industry and academia via the promotion of concepts and techniques of smart energy-saving.
Water-conscious planting
https://green.yuntech.edu.tw/c01.php?id=3 (English)
https://view.yuntech.edu.tw/Ecological.html (Chinese)
Since its establishment, YunTech has completed a comprehensive campus planning document and has established guidelines for campus environmental design. These guidelines not only cover basic layout and architectural styles but also dictate specific design standards for landscaping and plant selection in different areas, such as roads, parking lots, plazas, courtyards, and sports fields. In terms of plant selection, the principles align with Taiwan’s subtropical climate and regional characteristics, favoring easy-to-maintain and drought-resistant species to minimize water resource demands. Recycled water is used for irrigation as part of our ongoing commitment to a green and environmentally friendly campus.
Since its inception, YunTech has been dedicated to fostering a sustainable campus. Within the total area of 581,241.09 square meters, there are a total of 6,989 trees planted (5,526 large trees and 1,463 small trees), covering approximately 235,511 square meters. The grassy areas account for 174,798.76 square meters; green walls and rooftop gardens cover 37,500 square meters; and sports fields with turf approximately 25,546 square meters. In total, this amounts to 473,355.76 square meters, representing about 81.43% of the campus area, showcasing an outstanding coverage rate of plant species across the campus.
Water reuse
YunTech has consistently adhered to government regulations and is dedicated to maximizing water reuse. We established a wastewater recycling system early on, utilizing it for purposes such as toilet flushing, landscape irrigation, artificial lake replenishment, and firefighting water. In 2022, YunTech formulated the water conservation principles of National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, explicitly documenting the previous water conservation policies.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Management
YunTech has long adhered to government regulations and is dedicated to maximizing water reuse. The Center of Science and Technology for Environmental and Safety Affairs manages the water purification plant operations as follows:
- Processing is carried out in accordance with the Water Pollution Control Act and related regulations stipulated by the Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan.
- Operations are conducted in compliance with “Water Pollution Control Measures” approved by the local Environmental Protection Bureau.
- Accurate records of the inflow, outflow, reclaimed water volume, electricity consumption, and other related on-site activities are maintained.
- Every quarter, a testing company recognized by the Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan is commissioned to analyze the quality of raw sewage, effluent, and reclaimed water.
- Biannual reports are submitted to the Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan’s Water Pollution Control Information Management System by the end of January and July.
For instance, in 2022, the recycled water volume was 136,768 (m3). Tap water consumption was 101,717 (m3). Additionally, the rainwater collection volume is 11,446 (m3) cubic meters, with a total recovery and utilization rate of 76.35%.