SDG 6 – CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

SDG 6 Indicator

6.2.1 6.3.1 6.3.2 6.3.3 6.3.5 6.4.2 6.5.1 6.5.3 6.5.4 6.5.5 6.5.6 6.5.7

6.4 – Water usage and care

6.4.2 – Water reuse measurement

UKM is dedicated to enhancing water reuse across its campus as part of its Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030. This plan, which is structured around five sustainability pillars, emphasizes the creation of a Sustainable Campus, with a key focus on optimizing water resource management. The strategy aims to expand the use of recycled water through the improved management of treated water, rainwater and reservoir water.

UKM’s water reuse initiative supports its sustainability commitment by reducing potable water consumption and repurposing water for non-potable uses like irrigation, landscaping, and toilet flushing. This approach minimizes UKM’s environmental impact and promotes efficient water management. Regular monitoring and assessments ensure water quality, optimize consumption, and reduce pollution, reinforcing UKM’s dedication to resource conservation.

In UKM’s Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030, which outlines specific goals to optimize the use of water across the campus. This program not only supports UKM’s efforts to conserve water but also aligns with the broader global movement towards sustainable water management. Through its water recycling program, UKM continues to demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship and resource efficiency.

Link: https://www.ukm.my/kelestarian/sustainability-strategic-planning/strategic-plan-2030/

UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 in optimizing the use of water

A significant example of UKM’s water reuse initiative is the repurposing of water collected from the Ghazali Lake, Alur Ilmu stream, the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) and the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FKAB) Lake. This water is primarily used for irrigating the campus landscape, thereby reducing the need for additional freshwater resources.

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FKAB) Lake:   Water from the FKAB Lake is pumped into tanks twice a week used for landscaping activities, with each operation moving approximately 520 gallons of water for landscape irrigation.

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FKAB)`s lake
Workers are transferring water from the lake at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FKAB) into a tank for landscape irrigation. The lake water is pumped twice a week with a volume of 520 gallons.

Student Initiatives:
UKM students, particularly those involved with the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small & Medium Enterprises Development (UKM-CESMED), have creatively utilized reused water for various agricultural practices on campus. These include fertigation, hydroponic systems, and oyster mushroom irrigation, showcasing the integration of sustainable practices into academic and practical learning experiences.

UKM students under CESMED utilized reused water for fertigation, hydroponic and oyster mushroom irrigation systems.

UKM’s policy and practices on water reuse exemplify the university’s strong commitment to SDG 6 and the broader goal of sustainable water management. By implementing these measures, UKM not only reduces its ecological footprint but also sets a precedent for other institutions to follow in promoting water sustainability. The ongoing efforts to measure and optimize water reuse ensure that UKM remains a leader in sustainability within the higher education sector.