Showering Smarter: HKUST's Initiative for Water Conservation 

Why We Did 

After a long day filled with lectures, meetings, and assignments, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm shower to help us unwind and recharge. However, the longer we linger under the water, the more this precious resource slips away unnoticed. In student halls, where hundreds share the same facilities, the impact can quickly accumulate.  

To address this issue and conserve our vital water supply, HKUST has launched a showerhead replacement project in student halls as part of its commitment to the 2028 Sustainability Challenge. These simple yet effective upgrades are designed to reduce daily water usage, promoting greener living on campus and encouraging students to shower more responsibly.  

What We Did  

Over the summer break, 110 water-efficient showerheads were installed across all student halls except for UG Hall III for technical difficulties while most students were away. These fixtures are engineered to reduce water flow without compromising the shower experience. Since the upgrade, we’ve seen a remarkable 23% reduction in quarterly water consumption compared to the same period last year.  

Sister Initiative: Smart LED Showerheads  

In addition to the standard installations, HKUST has piloted 85 smart showerheads equipped with water-powered LED lights in two halls. These innovative fixtures encourage responsible water use by changing color every 10 liters consumed, turning red after 30 liters to remind users to wrap up. Early data indicates that average shower time has decreased by about five minutes. Soon, a real-time dashboard will be launched to track water usage hall-by-hall, fostering engagement and friendly competition among residents.  

For more information about the Smart LED Showerhead initiative, please click here.  

Together, let’s make a positive impact on our campus and conserve our precious water resources!