Middle East Technical University (METU) enforces continuous, highly structured operational protocols through its Heat and Water Administration Office (İSİM) ([http://isim.metu.edu.tr/gorev]) to guarantee safe water distribution, prevent system leaks, and eliminate contamination across the entire campus infrastructure.

• 24/7 Continuous Infrastructure Operation & Maintenance:

İSİM ensures the uninterrupted 24-hour operation and maintenance of METU’s heating, water distribution, and sewage networks. This covers the extraction, purification, and daily distribution of 4500 cubic metres of potable, utility, and irrigation water, including systematic chlorination processes.

• High-Pressure Pipeline Safety & Leak Prevention:

Water extracted from campus wells is treated and transferred under high pressure (40 bar) through specialized pipelines passing exclusively through non-urban areas. This high-pressure differential prevents outside contaminants or untreated groundwater from leaking into the supply system. In addition, field personnel and automated telemetry continuously monitor extraction pools and distribution lines to immediately address pipe bursts or leaks.

• Integrated Storage, Sewer, and Facility Maintenance:
  • Storage & Pressure Control: İSİM manages 5 drinking water reservoirs and 3 pressure-reducing break tanks (maslak) to prevent pressure spikes and pipe failures.
  • Sanitary & Sewage Management: Active maintenance covers the repair and unblocking of hundreds of manholes, sewage lines, toilets, sinks, and thousands of water fixtures across 620,000 square metres of indoor space (faculties, dormitories, and staff housing), ensuring no wastewater spills into the surrounding environment.
  • Purified Pure Water Production: High-purity water generation is maintained for central steam boilers, preventing chemical contamination or scaling in heating networks.

• Regulatory Basin Protection & Discharge Compliance:

All water extraction and distribution activities comply with the ASKİ Basin Protection Regulation for the protection of Ankara's water sources. Wastewater disposal adheres strictly to the ASKİ Wastewater Discharge Regulation (enforced via Law No. 2560 and Law No. 3305), guaranteeing safe connection to sewage lines and preventing environmental pollution.

https://www.aski.gov.tr/Yukle/Dosya/mevzuatlar/2020atiksularinkanalsebekeyonetmeligi.pdf

https://www.aski.gov.tr/Yukle/Dosya/mevzuatlar/2020havzakorumayonetmeligi.pdf