Medan, 2024. As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has developed a series of comprehensive wastewater treatment systems across its main campus. These facilities are designed to manage and reduce the environmental impacts of both domestic and laboratory wastewater, while ensuring full compliance with Indonesia’s national environmental standards.

By integrating engineering innovation, regulatory compliance, and independent third-party monitoring, USU’s wastewater management system serves as a practical example of responsible and sustainable campus operations.

Comprehensive and Compliant Wastewater Infrastructure

USU’s wastewater treatment facilities are strategically located across the campus and connected to key buildings such as health centres, laboratories, and academic facilities. Each system is developed in line with national environmental regulations so that all effluents released into the environment are properly treated and safe.

One of the university’s most advanced installations is the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at the Digital Learning Center Building, which processes domestic wastewater from toilets, bathrooms, and laundry areas. The plant uses a structured, multi-phase treatment process that effectively treats faeces, urine, and greywater before discharge.

The quality of treated water is regularly monitored by PT SUCOFINDO, a national testing and certification company, together with the North Sumatra Provincial Environmental Agency (DLH). Routine laboratory analyses measure key parameters such as pH, ammonia, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and coliform levels.

According to recent reports, all treated effluents comply with national wastewater discharge standards as stipulated in the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. P.68/Menlhk/Setjen/Kum.1/8/2016.

Hospital and Clinical Wastewater Treatment

Another major installation operates at the USU Hospital, which treats both medical and domestic wastewater using a 150 m³/day extended aeration system. The process follows a complete treatment sequence that includes:

  1. Pre-treatment: collection and equalisation tanks
  2. Aeration: biological treatment through oxygenation
  3. Sedimentation: separation of solids
  4. Chlorination: disinfection
  5. Post-treatment: fishpond polishing and sludge holding tanks

The hospital’s wastewater system is guided by a formal operation and maintenance manual and is subject to regular external quality assessments to ensure reliability and environmental safety.

The Dental and Oral Hospital applies Bio-Bless STP biotechnology, an advanced biofiltration system that efficiently degrades organic pollutants and pathogens in clinical wastewater. This technology is specifically designed to handle the unique characteristics of healthcare effluent, reducing risks to both public health and the environment.

Laboratory Wastewater Management

Beyond healthcare facilities, USU also prioritises the safe management of laboratory wastewater to prevent chemical pollution. The Faculty of Pharmacy operates a dedicated Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) specifically designed for chemical laboratory effluents, ensuring that hazardous substances from experimental activities are treated before discharge.

Source: https://ft.usu.ac.id/id/fasilitas/laboratorium-kualitas-air

Similarly, the Department of Environmental Engineering manages a Japanese Johkasou wastewater treatment system, a compact, high-efficiency technology donated through collaboration with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). The Johkasou unit is designed for small-scale but intensive wastewater treatment and represents a model of technological innovation and international partnership in sustainable water management.

Sustainability Through Engineering and Oversight

USU’s wastewater systems reflect a holistic, science-based approach to environmental protection. By combining engineering excellence, international collaboration, and third-party supervision, the university ensures that all wastewater treatment activities are technically robust and environmentally safe.

These initiatives directly support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which calls for improved water quality through pollution reduction and the minimisation of hazardous chemical releases, and they reinforce USU’s role as a leader in sustainable campus operations within Indonesia’s higher education sector.

Through innovation, regulatory compliance, and continuous environmental monitoring, Universitas Sumatera Utara is helping to protect local ecosystems and setting a national benchmark for sustainable wastewater management in higher education.