25 September 2024
-
.webp)
Medan, Indonesia, 25 September 2024 — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is strengthening its commitment to sustainable water use and extraction by deploying a range of modern water‑management technologies across its campuses. While the university’s primary clean water supply comes from the Regional Water Supply Company (PDAM), USU complements this with its own systems for rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and groundwater conservation, creating an integrated network that supports both environmental protection and operational efficiency.
To reduce dependence on piped water and limit groundwater extraction, USU has developed rainwater harvesting systems at several key locations. Facilities such as the Faculty of Engineering, the Information Study Center, and the Central Administration Building are equipped with infrastructure that captures and stores rainwater for non‑potable use.
The collected water is used to irrigate campus vegetation and clean vehicles and outdoor areas, easing pressure on the municipal supply and helping to lower the university’s overall water footprint. This approach offers a practical example of how higher education institutions can integrate rainwater use into everyday campus operations.
.webp)
At the Digital Learning Center, USU Hospital, and the Faculty of Medicine, wastewater – including greywater and water from ablution facilities – is treated on site using filtration and purification technologies. Once treated, the water is reused for toilet flushing and irrigating green spaces, forming part of a closed‑loop system that reduces discharge to the environment and avoids unnecessary extraction of fresh water.
These installations are designed around the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle, ensuring that each litre of water is used as efficiently as possible before it is safely returned to the natural cycle.
.webp)
To further support conservation, USU has introduced clean water storage and automation mechanisms that prevent over‑extraction. At the Faculty of Public Health, for example, an automatic float‑ball tank system regulates water intake so that clean water is drawn only when needed. This helps maintain a stable supply while avoiding wastage, and demonstrates how smart engineering solutions can optimise water use in institutional settings.
.webp)
Taken together, these initiatives reflect USU’s ongoing implementation of the Green Campus Movement, as mandated by Rector’s Regulation No. 3 of 2019, which emphasises efficient management of water, energy, waste, and other resources. They also contribute directly to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by promoting conservation, reuse, and responsible extraction.
Through continuous innovation, infrastructure investment, and policy support, Universitas Sumatera Utara is reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable campus management. The university’s experience shows how technology, clear regulation, and awareness‑raising can work together to safeguard vital water resources for future generations.
.webp)
USU Advances SDG 3 and SDG 17 Through Indonesia–Malaysia Technical Exchange on Zoonotic Malaria Surveillance
Universitas Satya Terra Bhinneka Visits USU for Benchmarking on SDGs Center and Sustainability Living Lab Development
USU and VNU Hanoi Forge Strategic Partnership: A Cross-Border Collaboration on History and Education
