WATER EFFICIENCY POTENTIAL OF UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES TOWARDS LEED CRITERIA:: A CASE STUDY IN TURKEY

Many buildings worldwide feature outdated and inefficient sanitary systems, which is particularly pronounced in densely populated university campuses, where high water consumption poses a significant challenge to sustainable water management. This study aimed to investigate the impact of installed sanitary systems on water consumption in a university building in Istanbul and assess potential savings through high-efficiency systems as per the LEED certification criteria, and emphasize the environmental, social, and economic significance of improving water use efficiency on university campuses in Turkey. Annual consumption was first calculated using the TS1258 standard, then a new model with efficient fixtures was developed. Results showed that the proposed systems could increase water efficiency by approximately 78% with a payback period of 14 months. From an environmental perspective, the study highlights the importance of water conservation, and from a social standpoint, it promotes equity in water access, and economically, it demonstrates significant cost reductions and long-term financial savings. Furthermore, the research identifies a gap in the TS1258 standard, which did not consider gender-based differences in water use. By presenting key data for policymakers and administrators, this study aims to emphasize the necessity of adopting more efficient water management strategies in educational institutions and contribute to future research on sustainable campus development.