Water

Water Strategy on Campus

• Improving Water Efficiency

  NYU Abu Dhabi is reducing water use across campus through targeted infrastructure upgrades and smarter water management practices.

  Indoor Efficiency Measures

  • Replacing and upgrading faucets with water-efficient fixtures and aerators meeting EPA standards in A1 and F1.
  • Reducing toilet flush volumes from six liters to four liters across campus bathrooms.

  Outdoor Water Conservation

  • Weather-based irrigation systems that adjust watering to climate conditions
  • Optimized irrigation schedules on the south side of campus to reduce unnecessary water use while maintaining landscape health
• Eliminating Plastic Bottles

  NYUAD has taken significant steps to reduce plastic waste associated with drinking water.

  • February 2017: 500 ml water bottles were removed from campus and are no longer available for purchase.
  • March 2020: Removed water dispensers and five-gallon plastic water jugs. 
  • June 2024: Installed 15 water refill stations around campus.

  Impact

  • ~375,000 plastic bottles avoided across all campus refill stations.
  • ~10,000 kg of plastic waste prevented.
• Why Avoid Single-use Plastic Bottles?

  Single-use plastic bottles have environmental and potential health impacts, making reusable bottles the better choice.

  Environmental Impact

  • Made from fossil fuels and require significant energy and water to produce.
  • Many are not successfully recycled.
  • They persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

  Microplastics

  Research shows plastic bottles can shed microplastics into water, especially when exposed to heat or reused. Microplastics have been found in air, water, and the human body, and scientists continue to study their potential health effects.

  The Better Option: Refilling a reusable bottle!

• Water Bottle Refill Stations

  Water can be refilled using a variety of different water sources on campus. In 2025, NYUAD installed 15 automatic water refill stations throughout the campus to encourage the use of reusable water bottles.

• Campus Tap Water: Safe to Drink

  All water on campus is safe to drink, including tap water from sink faucets.

  Here’s how water quality is ensured:

  • Water arrives fully treated by the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company.
  • It undergoes a second treatment process on campus.
  • Water quality is then verified by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.
  • The NYUAD Facilities team also conducts regular testing to maintain high standards.
• Community Involvement

  Water sustainability is a shared responsibility. While NYUAD invests in efficient systems and infrastructure, individual actions to conserve water also make a meaningful difference.

  NYUAD encourages community members to:

  • Use campus refill stations instead of purchasing single-use bottled water.
  • Report leaks or faulty fixtures for quick repair.
  • Shorten showers by 1–2 minutes — this can save up to 150 gallons of water.
  • Collect water while waiting for the shower to warm up and reuse it for cleaning or watering plants.