The concerns surrounding water, a basic resource for human life, affect us all

21 March 2023

Join us in the celebration of the World Water Day. Learn more ways to save and preserve this scarce resource. Share them with your friends and family.

At NOVA we are a community of more than 26 000 people. Our behaviours make a difference and the daily action of each one of us is decisive for reducing the consumption of this resource.

(PT) Dia Mundial da Água 2023 – o que posso fazer? – Download Pdf

(EN) World Water Day 2023 – what can I do? – Download pdf

CONTRIBUTE TO THE EFFICIENT AND RATIONAL USE OF WATER! WHAT CAN YOU DO?

At the University/School

  • Always report any waste of water that you notice (if you do not know how and to whom, inform the security guard on duty).
  • Always check that taps are turned off when using toilets or other facilities.
  • Use the correct flush option if the WC cistern is dual flush.

If you work in the services in one of NOVA’s Campi, canteens and laboratories, among others, you can also collaborate in the context of your activity. Some examples:

  • Make available and communicate the mechanism (e.g. email) so that all users of the Campi can alert about water waste or leaks.
  • Monitor water consumption for better management (adhere to platforms such as those suggested by ADENE).
  • Install flow reducers in existing equipment.
  • Install dual flush WC cisterns whenever possible, for example when replacing faulty equipment.
  • Select equipment with minimum water efficiency class – A.
  • Give immediate priority to correcting water leaks as soon as detected.
  • Plan water efficiency investments, identifying needs guided by high efficiency equipment. Invest in internal skills training, namely to access funding for water efficiency.
  • Evaluate the replacement of water demanding green areas by solutions adapted to the Mediterranean climate.

At home

  • Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, shave or soap up.
  • Take a shower rather than a bath and make it shorter – if possible, 5 minutes.
  • Catch the water while the shower flow warms and reuse it for flushing the toilet, watering plants or washing small items of clothing by hand.
  • Reduce the volume of water released with each flush – install dual flush devices or put a full bottle inside the toilet tank, and avoid throwing waste in the toilet.
  • Install flow reducers on taps and showers.
  • Use washing machines and dishwashers with full load.
  • Repair dripping taps, pipes and cisterns.
  • Do not defrost food in running water.
  • Water the garden first thing in the morning or at the end of the day.

GET INFORMED AND PARTICIPATE

Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030 has been consigned in the United Nations SDG 6. A goal that is far from being met.

Visit the United Nations website dedicated to the celebration of the World Water Day 2023 and join the Be the Change campaign.