At the KAUST School (TKS), the second Plant Science Family Night, held on March 6, 2024, showcased the significant contributions of Facilities Management, especially those by the Wastewater Treatment and Distribution Systems team.

Facilities Management (FM) played a pivotal role in this educational event, emphasizing the importance of sustainable wastewater management. Interactive exhibits provided by the FM Utilities Service team allowed children and families to interact with specialists and learn about the collection, treatment, and sustainable repurposing of wastewater.

A standout feature of the evening was the booth led by the FM Utilities Service team, where an educational presentation mapped the journey of wastewater from collection to eco-friendly treatment, detailing its transformation into grey water for irrigation and waste material into fertilizer. Using models and simulations, the team illustrated the water treatment stages, highlighting the safety of using treated water for irrigation and its role in conserving freshwater resources.

This year's event was particularly tailored to captivate the young minds of TKS students aged 6 to 11. With this demographic in mind, KAUST shared an animated clip that simplified the complexities of wastewater treatment into an understandable format for children. The animation detailed the domestic generation of wastewater and its subsequent treatment at the plant through a bioreactor process that leverages biological mechanisms for purification.

KAUST's dedication to environmental education and sustainability was further evidenced by the presentation's inclusion of factual data and analyses. Daily water testing at the plant and throughout the network was highlighted, demonstrating compliance with WHO and SASO quality standards. Continuous monitoring and rigorous quality assurance audits underscore the safety and standards compliance of the treated sewage effluent (TSE) for irrigation.

This initiative, integrating age-appropriate animations with live demonstrations and data-backed explanations, represents KAUST's commitment to fostering environmental consciousness and sustainable practices among the next generation.