Drinking water is supplied to our campuses by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality’s İzmir Water and Sewerage Administration. Based on 2023 water production data, of the total 237,774,184 m³ of drinking water supplied to İzmir, 54% comes from underground water sources, and 46% is sourced from surface waters, such as dams distributed across the city. Before being supplied both to the city and to DEU campuses, the drinking water undergoes thorough treatment. There are seven drinking water treatment plants spread across the city. The water supplied to DEU campuses comes from Tahtalı Dam, the largest surface water source, and passes through the Tahtalı Drinking Water Treatment Plant before reaching the campuses.

Approximately 56.2% of DEU campus areas are covered by forested land, while 12.4% are covered by vegetation. Additionally, 25% of the campus areas consist of solid surfaces capable of absorbing rainwater. These hard surfaces are constructed with permeable interlocking paving stones. As a result, rainwater is naturally absorbed by the soil in most areas of the campus, contributing to the replenishment of groundwater levels.

The Technical Workshops at Tınaztepe Campus have a rainwater harvesting reservoir with a capacity of 48 tons. The roof currently measures 60 m x 6 m (360 m²), and the reservoir can be filled after four heavy rains. The green areas feature 40 olive and fruit trees, and the harvested water is used to irrigate these trees for approximately three dry months. Drip irrigation systems are used for garden watering across our university campuses, ensuring water conservation. A scientific research project proposal to harvest water from the roofs of more buildings has been submitted to the University Senior Management, and the project evaluation phase is nearing completion. As a result, water harvesting will soon become more widespread across DEU campuses. Therefore, about 25-50 % of the water is conserved in campuses. Currently, DEU’s water recycling program is in the early stages, with 1-25% of the plan implemented.

DEU demonstrates its commitment to water efficiency through the adoption of various water-saving appliances. Examples include:

Photo Cellular Water Taps and Urinal Flushes: DEU campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art photo-cellular water taps and urinal flushes. These devices are designed to operate based on sensor inputs, ensuring that water is only dispensed when needed, which significantly reduces water wastage.

Two-Stage WC Flushes: Dual-flush toilet systems are employed in restroom facilities throughout DEU. These two-stage WC flushes provide users with the option to use a reduced amount of water for liquid waste or a full flush for solid waste, promoting water conservation.

Water Springs with Pressure Latches: DEU incorporates water springs equipped with pressure latches in various locations. These devices require users to apply pressure to release water, making them an efficient choice for minimizing water usage, as water is dispensed only while the latch is engaged.

These water-efficient appliances help DEU in its mission to conserve water resources and reduce unnecessary consumption on its campuses. At DEU, >50% of water-efficient appliances are installed.

There are 9 potable water treatment plants  located in different areas for the underground and surface water sources that provide drinking water to the city of Izmir. Within the DEU campuses, the water taken is treated at the Tahtalı Drinking Water Treatment Plant and the Balçova Drinking Water Treatment Plants.

Additionally, in DEU kitchens, water received from the Metropolitan Municipality is subjected to treatment before use. In the Tınaztepe Kitchen, there are two treatment facilities in the Boiler Room, and meals are prepared using this treated water. Furthermore, on each floor of the cafeteria, there are 2-3 water dispensers with built-in purification systems, providing purified drinking water to the staff. This ensures that more than 75% of the water used on the campuses is treated water.

Our university utilizes treated water provided by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, which is part of the city’s water supply network. Moreover, additional treatment facilities are available in the kitchens and dining areas across DEU campuses. In Dokuz Eylul University, assessments of water and wastewater are carried out in high-water-use areas, including dining halls, the hospital, and laundry facilities. Regular chemical and microbiological tests are conducted in the Environmental Engineering Department’s dedicated laboratories and are subsequently submitted to the Office of the Rector.