Water

Water resources at HKUST come from two main sources: portable water and seawater. Portable water is clean and drinkable. It is supplied by the Hong Kong Water Supplies Department and is used for cooking, cleaning, showers, and drinking. On the other hand, our toilets use seawater from the Clear Water Bay. Using seawater for toilets helps conserve the precious fresh water we need for all other uses. Rainwater reuse is adopted in the Jockey Club Global Graduate Tower for irrigation and cooling tower bleed-off at the library is reused for flushing.

In 2024-25, total potable water consumption reached 483,992 cubic meters. It increased by around 4% compared to 2023-24 but still below the reduction target of 500,000 cubic meters.

The main academic building, canteens & commercial outlets, and student housing, accounted for 34%, 25%, and 21% of total potable water consumption respectively in 2024-25.

Water Consumption 2024-25

TOTAL = 483,992 CUBIC METER