Water Usage and Care
In Fiscal Year 2021-2022, FIU used 193,230,921 gallons of treated/extracted water for consumption, sanitation and university operations to support a total population of 66,723 students, faculty and staff. Domestic water is supplied by Miami-Dade County and measured through a metering system. Irrigation water from lakes and aquifers is measured through flow meters. Per objective WS-6 of Miami-Dade County’s Water Sewer and Solid Waste Element, sustainable water extraction techniques are designed to be safe and compatible with natural ecosystems. Wastewater from campus operations is discharged to Miami-Dade County’s South District Wastewater Treatment Plant. Miami-Dade County’s wastewater management practices include the use of reclaimed water to help preserve the Biscayne Aquifer.
FIU’s Environmental Management Policy requires all members of the university community to minimize potential hazards to the environment and comply with all local, state and national laws and regulations designed to protect the environment. This includes water quality standards set by the U.S. Clean Water Act and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection.
As a campus community, we work to minimize negative impacts on the environment and contribute to the restoration, reuse and recycling of resources. This includes minimizing wastewater and ensuring all waste is disposed of in accordance with regulatory and university requirements, as outlined on page 4 of the FIU Environmental Management Policy. FIU maintains a zero tolerance policy for illicit discharge within the university. Our commitment is to prevent pollution of all kinds, whether working on campus, in the community, on the water or in the water.