Sustainable Water Management and Infrastructure in Pre-University Education: A Comprehensive Assessment of All Educational Institutions in Cluj County, Romania

Nicolae-Leontin Petruța (), Marinela Marc, Ioana Petruța, Ioana Monica Sur (), Tudor Andrei Rusu, Timea Gabor and Ramona Bianca Sonher
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Nicolae-Leontin Petruța: Department of Environment Engineering and Entrepreneurship of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103–105 Muncii Avenue, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Marinela Marc: Cluj County School Inspectorate, 24 Argeș Street, 400159 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ioana Petruța: Cluj County School Inspectorate, 24 Argeș Street, 400159 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ioana Monica Sur: Department of Environment Engineering and Entrepreneurship of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103–105 Muncii Avenue, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Tudor Andrei Rusu: Department of Environment Engineering and Entrepreneurship of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103–105 Muncii Avenue, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Timea Gabor: Department of Environment Engineering and Entrepreneurship of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103–105 Muncii Avenue, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ramona Bianca Sonher: Department of Environment Engineering and Entrepreneurship of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103–105 Muncii Avenue, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-25

Abstract: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of water infrastructure, consumption management, and educational practices across all public pre-university educational institutions in Cluj County, Romania. The research addresses the increasingly urgent imperative of sustainable water resource management within educational settings, in alignment with both European and global priorities. This analysis is based on a comprehensive data set collected in June 2025 from all 392 public pre-university educational institutions in Cluj County, encompassing both urban and rural areas, all educational levels, and all types of institutions. Data was gathered using a standardized questionnaire, which was validated with the official support of the Cluj County School Inspectorate. The quantitative analysis highlights significant urban–rural disparities: 95.566% of urban institutions are equipped with modern meters and connected to public water networks, compared to only 68.254% in rural areas. Water consumption monitoring relies predominantly on invoice data (69.388%), while the adoption of advanced monitoring technologies remains limited. Reported water losses are minimal (1.531%), and only 0.765% of educational institutions have indicated non-compliance issues related to water quality in the past three years. Educational measures and water-saving awareness campaigns are present in 65.562% of institutions, yet only about one-third (32.908%) have implemented dedicated projects or partnerships. The financial analysis reveals that 90.487% of annual water and sewerage costs are borne by urban institutions. The study highlights both the progress achieved and the persistent challenges, particularly in rural infrastructure and the expansion of educational interventions. The results provide a robust empirical basis for informing regional and national policies, supporting targeted investments, integrated educational programs, and continuous monitoring to ensure sustainable water resource management in the Romanian educational system.

Keywords: water management; educational infrastructure; sustainability; water consumption; smart monitoring; water quality; operational costs; public policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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