UKM has a policy to maximize water reuse across the university, in which UKM has published the Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030, which includes five sustainability pillars, one of which is Sustainable Campus, which aims to diversify the use of water resources by strengthening management of treated water, rainwater, and reservoir water (Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030, page 43).

By regularly controlling and monitoring the quality of the water supply system and establishing policies on water usage and conservation, UKM also tends to optimize water consumption and lower the rate of pollution (Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030, page 44).

Thus, we have repurposed the college and faculty used water that gathered in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Lake, a water catchment area, for campus landscape irrigation.

Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation (ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all)

Access to clean water and sanitation is vital for health and development, yet over 2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water. Furthermore, more than 4.2 billion lack access to adequate sanitation facilities, leading to severe health risks and environmental degradation. The impacts of climate change, urbanization, and pollution exacerbate these issues, with a large proportion of wastewater going untreated. Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for urgent, collective action to ensure that everyone can access safe water and sanitation by 2030.

Key Points on SDG 6

1. Universal Access: Achieving universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation is essential for health and well-being. Currently, 2.2 billion people face challenges accessing clean water, and 4.2 billion lack adequate sanitation facilities, contributing to widespread health crises.
2. Health Risks: Insufficient water and sanitation lead to diseases such as cholera and dysentery, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
3. Environmental Challenges: Climate change intensifies water scarcity and alters water quality, while urbanization increases pollution and demand on limited resources.
4. Treatment of Wastewater: Treating wastewater is crucial for protecting ecosystems and public health, yet a significant amount goes untreated, resulting in contamination of water bodies.
5. Global Commitment: SDG 6 emphasizes the need for global cooperation and investment to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, aiming for sustainable management by 2030.

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

Source: https://sdgs.un.org/topics/water-and-sanitation
Source: https://www.ukm.my/kelestarian/sdgukm/sdg-6/