small fish swarming in a tank

Water management

We are working to use water effectively and to protect our natural waterways. We are also committed to making drinking water accessible.

We want to create a campus that uses water from the environment responsibly and provides accessible water options to the campus community. Our vision is to use no more water than the amount of precipitation that naturally falls on campus and encourage the use of grey water instead of potable water when possible.

All of the water used on campus comes from City of Ottawa water network, and is not extracted from aquifers or rivers. The University strictly monitors its waste water to ensure that it is not polluting any natural water sources. 

Progress

  • The University of Ottawa was one of the first universities in Canada to ban bottled water on its campus.
  • In 2023, the University of Ottawa consumed 566,350 cubic metres of water.
  • In 2023, the amount of water consumed per person on campus was 11.27 litres/person
Annual volume of water consumption in cubic metres
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023
444,995 m3453,957 m3455,377 m3518,167 m3538,933 m3552,885 m3486,931 m3391,748 m3431,998 m3566,350 m3

Water saving tips

When it comes to water, every drop counts. Check out some of our conscious water usage tips.

Report Leaks and Drips
Whenever you see a leak or a drip, report it right away. Did you know you can report leaks or drips on social media? You can send us a tweet with a picture or location of the drip @uOttawaSustain.

Don’t Let the Water Run
Turn off the tap in between washing your hands or brushing your teeth.

For more tips, please check out our Sustainability Tips page.

an empty disposable plastic water bottle

Bottled Water Free Campus

Since 2010, uOttawa has proudly been a bottled water–free campus. We were the first campus in Canada to remove bottled water entirely from vending machines and retail points of sale.
A collaboration with the student union and Food Services, this initiative not only eliminated the sale of bottled water but also helped raise awareness about water access as a human rights issue.
A key part of maintaining a bottled water–free campus is ensuring access to safe and convenient alternatives. The Facilities and Sustainability teams manage and maintain the campus water infrastructure. This includes surveying all water fountains, repairing or replacing those in poor condition and installing new ones where needed. The Office of Campus Sustainability regularly audits the water fountain network to ensure it’s operating efficiently and to a high standard.

Why are we bottled water–free?

The United Nations recognizes access to water as a basic human right. Restricting access to water by making it a commercial commodity contradicts uOttawa’s mission to foster a healthy and inclusive learning environment.

Bottled water also carries significant environmental costs. The energy used for manufacturing, transportation and refrigeration contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Plastic bottles often aren’t recycled and end up in landfills or as litter in natural ecosystems.

Marketing bottled water can also undermine public confidence in municipal tap water, even though Ottawa’s city water supply delivers some of the cleanest and safest drinking water in the world. Every day, it serves nearly 900,000 people, including the uOttawa community.

In contrast, bottled water isn’t subject to the same rigorous standards as municipal tap water. Research also shows bottled water that’s stored improperly may contain harmful microplastics leached from the packaging.

What we offer on campus

Drinking fountains are available on nearly every floor of every building across all uOttawa campuses. These fountains offer free, clean drinking water to everyone.

While bottled water isn’t sold on campus, other natural and low-calorie beverage options are available at food service locations.

Reducing bottled water at events

To support our commitment to being bottled water–free, here’s how you can reduce bottled water use at events:

  • Don’t distribute or sell bottled water at your event.
  • Remind guests, speakers and vendors that uOttawa is a bottled water–free campus.
  • Encourage attendees to bring their own reusable water bottles.
  • Let participants know where nearby water fountains are located.
  • Offer reusable bottles as event swag when possible.
  • For outdoor or remote events without nearby fountains, consider renting a hydration station. 

Programs

Water fountain at uOttawa

Water Fountain Renewal

A pivotal part of being a bottled water free campus is the constant revitalization of the drinking fountains on campus. The Facilities and Sustainability team, as the stewards of the water infrastructure network on campus, undertake the task of surveying all the water fountains on campus every year, repairing those in bad condition, and installing new ones where appropriate.

Every year, the University invests in improving and adding new fountains on campus. The objective of this renewal is to increase drinking water quality and accessibility. 

Check our annual reports for more information.

Celeste DiGiovanni, a student and founder of the H2Ottawa project holds her water bottle in front of the living wall in the FSS building

H2Ottawa Revives Bottled Water Free

In 2018, Celeste DiGiovanni, a student at the uOttawa School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies, helped revitalize the bottled water free campaign by convincing the University to install reusable water bottles in vending machines. The project, called H2Ottawa, helps reduce plastic, privatize less water, and make a statement about water as a human right.

Learn more about H2Ottawa
Campus green space with shrubs and trees along a sidewalk

Storm water management

In order to reduce the University’s impact on surrounding communities, uOttawa actively engages in bio swales to filter rainwater as well as rain water collection.

Fish in an aquarium at uOttawa

Water reuse

Water Recirculation
The University's Aquatic Care Centre reduces water consumption by employing a recirculating aquaculture system along with traditional flow-through aquaculture systems.

Condensate Recovery
The University of Ottawa recovers water created from condensation to reduce consumption.

A tap at uOttawa dripping

Low flow fixtures

Any new water fixtures installed on campus are low flow. These fixtures use significantly less water and are installed all over the campus (faucets, toilets, and urinals).

Irrigation system watering grass

Low and no irrigation

The University of Ottawa does not install automated irrigation systems on campus as its standard practice. Instead, the University focuses on using native and drought tolerant plant species.

large plastic water jugs

Off-campus water conservation programs

uOttawa participates in "Let’s Talk Science", an award-winning, national, charitable organization focused on education and outreach to support youth development. Workshops related to water conservation and protection are offered to secondary school students to help them learn about the amazing aquatic environments around us.

Let's Talk Science