About Goals
In Indonesia, the problem of access to clean water and adequate sanitation is still a major challenge. In the Indonesian context, there are still many areas that experience limited access to clean water and proper sanitation. In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal number 6, namely "Clean Water and Adequate Sanitation". To support this sustainable development, USU created a program in the form of facilities for managing wastewater, preventing polluted water, and free drinking water for students which can be obtained at every faculty. This program aims to increase public awareness and understanding of the importance of clean water and proper sanitation. USU also collaborates with the government, NGOs and local communities to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to meet the needs of clean water and sanitation in Indonesia. Let's join hands towards a better future by solving clean water and sanitation problems in Indonesia.
Universitas Sumatera Utara's Action to the SDGs
Water Consumption per Person
Water Consumption Tracking
USU systematically measures total water volume used across its campuses for sustainability and resource management. The main water supply comes from the Regional Drinking Water Company, provided via a piped distribution network. Usage data are recorded and verified monthly through billing reports. In2024, USU recorded an average monthly usage of 69.94 million liters (approximately839,280 cubic meters annually). USU operates rainwater harvesting systems at multiple faculties and recycled wastewater facilities at the Digital Learning Center for non-potable uses (flushing and irrigation). Combined with retention ponds, infiltration wells, and water-saving devices, these systems demonstrate USU’s integrated approach to efficient, traceable, and sustainable water resource management.
Volume of Water Used in The University: Inbound (treated/extracted water)
839,278m³
Campus Population
45,580
Water Usage and Care
Wastewater Treatment
USU operates multiple wastewater treatment systems to ensure environmental safety, sustainability, and compliance with national discharge regulations. The primary Sewage Treatment Plant the Digital Learning Center processes domestic wastewater, including greywater from bathrooms and laundry, through a structured multi-stage treatment flow. Key water quality parameters pH, ammonia, COD, BOD, suspended solids, and coliforms are regularly tested by PTSUCOFINDO and the North Sumatra Environmental Agency confirming compliance with Regulation No.P.68/Menlhk/Setjen/Kum.1/8/2016. Additional facilities include a 150 m³/day extended aeration system at USU Hospital, a chemical wastewater unit at the Faculty of Pharmacy, and bio-bless STP biotechnology at the Dental and Oral Hospital. The Environmental Engineering Department also operates a Japanese Johkasou system, reinforcing USU’s integrated and scientifically monitored approach to safe, efficient wastewater treatment.
Preventing Water System Pollution
Yes. USU maintains a comprehensive system to prevent polluted water from entering the environment, including during operational incidents or pollution risks. Wastewater from toilets, laboratories, and greywater sources is treated through aerobic and anaerobic biological processes, followed by filtration, chlorination, and sedimentation. Treated water is discharged only after meeting national standards under Regulation No. P.68/Menlhk/Setjen/Kum.1/8/2016 on effluent quality. USU conducts routine third-party inspections through SUCOFINDO and the North Sumatra Provincial Environmental Agency to ensure compliance. The campus also features rainwater retention ponds and infiltration wells to control runoff and reduce surface pollution. Water quality laboratories provide early detection systems and support academic training in environmental management.
Free Drinking Water Provided
USU provides free access to safe drinking water for students, academic staff , and visitors as part of its commitment to health, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Under Rector’s Regulation No. 3 of 2019 on the Implementation of the Green Campus Movement, USU prohibits single-use plastic bottles and promotes the use of refillable tumblers. Drinking water dispensers and refill stations are installed across lecture rooms, administrative offices, laboratories, and public areas, including the Integrated Research Laboratory, ensuring convenient access throughout the campus. The initiative is supported by certified water suppliers to maintain hygiene and quality standards. This policy is also reinforced by ongoing campus campaigns, student engagement programs, and signage encouraging reusable containers integrating sustainability principles into daily academic life and campus operations.
Water-Conscious Building Standards
USU implements green building standards in all new construction and renovation projects, ensuring that every facility supports efficient water management and sustainable design. These standards require the use of sensor-based faucets, low-flow toilets, and automatic irrigation systems, significantly reducing water consumption. Buildings such as the Digital Learning Center integrate rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling systems, allowing treated water to be reused for flushing and landscape irrigation. Construction guidelines emphasize reduced dependence on potable water, maximized rainwater utilization, and recycling of non-potable sources to sustain long-term efficiency. Through institutional policy and continuous engineering improvements, USU aims to achieve campus-wide installation of water-efficient technologies by 2029, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible infrastructure and operational excellence.
Water-conscious Planting
USU implements sustainable landscape management practices designed to minimize water consumption and enhance ecological balance across campus. Rainwater harvesting systems located at the Faculty of Engineering, Mini Stadium, and Information Study Center provide irrigation water, while recycled water from the USU Hospital and Faculty of Medicine is used to maintain green areas and clean outdoor facilities. Landscape planning prioritizes native and drought-tolerant vegetation, including Trembesi (Samanea saman), Beringin (Ficus benjamina), Flamboyan (Delonix regia), and Tabebuya, which thrive with minimal watering. These measures are integrated into the university’s construction and maintenance standards, emphasizing reduced dependence on groundwater and rainwater reuse. Through strategic planting, efficient irrigation, and ongoing maintenance, USU ensures that its green spaces actively support sustainable water use and long-term environmental stewardship.
Water Reuse
Water Reuse Policy
USU enforces a comprehensive policy to maximize water reuse through Rector’s Regulation No. 3 of 2019 on the Green Campus Movement, which institutionalizes sustainability across all faculties and facilities. This regulation mandates efficiency in water management and requires every unit to adopt water-saving and reuse measures. Implementation includes the use of recycled greywater, rainwater harvesting, and treated wastewater for non-potable applications such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and cleaning. Dedicated infrastructure supports this policy, including wastewater treatment facilities at the Digital Learning Center, USU Hospital, and other major buildings. Through this integrated approach combining policy, infrastructure, and monitoring, USU achieves a 25–50% water reuse rate, demonstrating that water recycling is both required by regulation and embedded in daily operations as a model of environmental governance and efficiency.
Water Reuse Measurement
USU systematically measures and monitors its water reuse performance as part of its institutional sustainability program. The university maintains a water recycling rate of25–50%, equivalent to approximately210,000–420,000 cubic meters per year, meaning that up to half of the total water used on campus is recycled for non-potable purposes such as landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and sanitation. Water reuse sources include treated greywater, rainwater, and recycled ablution water collected from campus worship facilities. These systems operate in key facilities such as the Faculty of Engineering, Mini Stadium, Digital Learning Center, and USU Hospital, which utilize dedicated wastewater treatment plants and rainwater harvesting systems. USU’s Facilities and Environmental Units routinely record reuse volumes and efficiency indicators, ensuring continuous improvement and reinforcing the university’s commitment to responsible water management and sustainability leadership.
Water in The Community
Water Management Educational Opportunities
USU actively provides educational opportunities for local communities to enhance understanding of sustainable water management through a combination of academic learning, training, and community outreach. Courses and workshops are offered on water quality analysis, wastewater treatment planning, drinking water treatment design, and environmental remediation of soil and water, involving both students and the public. Through its Community Service Institution , USU also conducts public lectures, hands-on training, and awareness campaigns on water conservation, sanitation, pollution prevention, and safe water practices. These activities are supported by environmental engineering faculty, student volunteer groups, and local government partnerships. By promoting practical knowledge and civic engagement, USU strengthens community capacity for responsible water use and expands its environmental mission beyond the academic setting.
Off-Campus Water Conservation Support
USU actively extends its water conservation programs beyond campus through community service, applied research, and partnerships. In Deli Serdang Regency, USU leads a mangrove rehabilitation project in Regumek Village, Pantai Labu District, utilizing a kite-planting/silvofishery model with the Serdang Bahari Natural Forest Farmer Group to restore coastal ecosystems and strengthen local livelihoods. Complementary initiatives include rainwater harvesting installation, reusable water container campaigns, and efficient irrigation training for communities. Through the Community Service Institution, faculty and students partner with local governments, NGOs, and stakeholders to conduct marine waste management, water quality education, and pollution prevention programs. These integrated eff orts foster sustainable water stewardship, promote community resilience, and advance regional environmental sustainability
Sustainable Water Extraction on Campus
USU demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable water use and extraction through integrated conservation technologies on its campuses. While the primary water source remains the Regional Water Supply Company, USU supplements this with rainwater harvesting systems, recycled wastewater reuse, and groundwater storage reservoirs to reduce dependence on piped and aquifer water. Rainwater collection facilities located at the Faculty of Engineering, Information Study Center, and Central Administration area supply irrigation and vehicle washing needs. At the Digital Learning Center, USU Hospital, and Faculty of Medicine, wastewater including from ablution facilities is treated and reused for toilet flushing and landscaping, forming a closed-loop system that limits environmental discharge. Additionally, the Faculty of Public Health uses an automatic float ball tank system to manage clean water storage, ensuring water is extracted efficiently and only as required.
Cooperation on Water Security
USU actively collaborates with local, regional, national, and international institutions to enhance water security and sustainable management. Internationally, USU partners with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the City Government of Kitakyushu through the Environmental Education for Deli River program, resulting in the installation of a Johkasou wastewater treatment system at the Department of Environmental Engineering. This advanced technology serves as a model for integrating international innovation to reduce pollution in the Deli River. Regionally, USU works with the North Sumatra Environmental Agency and PTSUCOFINDO (a state-owned inspection agency) to monitor and assess water quality parameters such as pH, ammonia, BOD,COD, and coliform levels. These partnerships strengthen environmental governance, improve wastewater infrastructure, and build institutional capacity in sustainable water management.
Promoting Conscious Water Usage on Campus (N)
USU actively promotes responsible and efficient water use as part of its sustainability commitment under the university’s environmental policy. This initiative is guided by Rector’s Regulation No. 3 of 2019, which mandates reductions in water, energy, paper, and plastic use across all faculties and administrative units. Implementation occurs through faculty circulars and awareness campaigns, such as water-saving stickers and visual reminders placed in restrooms at the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, and USU Hospital. Complementing these behavioral initiatives, USU has upgraded its infrastructure by installing sensor-activated faucets and low-flow toilet systems in major academic and administrative buildings. These combined efforts have resulted in a steady reduction in water consumption per capita, demonstrating how policy, education, and technology are integrated to foster a culture of water consciousness and sustainable campus operations.
Promoting Conscious Water Usage in The Wider Community (N)
Yes. USU expands its commitment to sustainable water use beyond campus through outreach, education, and partnerships led by the Community Service Institute. Guided by Rector’s Regulation No. 3 of 2019 on the Green Campus Movement, faculties are directed to incorporate water conservation into their programs and activities. Community Service supports these initiatives through training, workshops, and community projects involving schools, villages, and local governments. The university also funds research and demonstration projects on water-saving technologies, including rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and sensor-based faucets. Awareness campaigns, such as water-saving stickers, promote behavioral change. In partnership with JICA and the Kitakyushu City Government, USU advances wastewater treatment innovation and river conservation education for broader community benefit.
SDGs Articles
Activities
PRIORITY STATEMENTS
Indonesia membutuhkan Anda, para akademisi yang berkomitmen untuk membawa perubahan nyata. Kami mengundang Anda untuk berbagi penelitian, inovasi, dan ide-ide brilian Anda guna melawan kemiskinan, meningkatkan kesejahteraan sumber daya manusia (SDM) dalam negeri, dan menyukseskan masa depan Republik Indonesia.
Infographic
Research and Publications
Performance optimization of CuO-ZnO ceramic electrode on the electrocoagulation of wastewater
Hasanah M., Susilawati S., Ramadhan A.
Filter material based on zeolite-activated charcoal from cocoa shells as ammonium adsorbent in greywater treatment
Susilawati, Sihombing Y.A., Rahayu S.U., Sembiring Y.Y.B., Waldiansyah L., Irma M.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Nanoadsorbent for Remediation of Polluted Water
Khairiah K., Frida E., Sebayang K., Sinuhaji P., Humaidi S., Ridwanto, Fudholi A., Marwoto P.
Assessment of pollution status of tropical coastal lakes using modified Water Quality Index (WQI) based on physio-chemical parameters
Muhtadi A., Yulianda F., Boer M., Krisanti M., Riani E., Leidonald R., Hasani Q., Cordova M.R.
Design and fabrication of shell and tube heat exchanger with one pass shell and two pass tube as a water heater with hot sulfur water
Napitupulu F.H., Sitorus T.B., Sihombing H.V., Siburian A.H., Siagian H.
Ecological conditions and coral recovery in Jaboi waters, Weh Island Sabang Indonesia.
Afkar, Barus T.A., John A.H., Sarong M.A.
Trophic state index and spatio-temporal analysis of trophic parameters of Laut Tawar Lake, Aceh, Indonesia
Adhar S., Barus T.A., Nababan E.S.N., Wahyuningsih H.
The Association Between Lipid Serum and Semen Parameters: a Systematic Review
Pakpahan C., Rezano A., Margiana R., Amanda B., Agustinus A., Darmadi D.
Variations of Organic Loading Rate on Tofu Wastewater Degradation using Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor by Modified Stover-Kincannon Model
Batubara F., Turmuzi M., Irvan I., Yanqoritha N.
The effectiveness of phytoremediation using water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) in liquid waste treatment
Hartono R., Tambun R., Nasution H.
Distribution of Silver (Ag) and Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) in Aquatic Environment
Mat Lazim Z., Salmiati S., Marpongahtun M., Arman N.Z., Mohd Haniffah M.R., Azman S., Yong E.L., Salim M.R.
Potential Risks of Open Waste Burning at the Household Level: A Case Study of Semarang, Indonesia
Ramadan B.S., Tina Rosmalina R., Syafrudin, Munawir, Khair H., Rachman I., Matsumoto T.
Variability of the thermocline layers during Indian Ocean dipole phenomenon in the western waters of Sumatra
Puteri I.R., Tarigan K., Sinambela M., Humaidi S., Situmorang M., Sembiring K., Hartanto, Sugiyono
Water distribution network optimization
Sutarman, Mawengkang H.
Banana peels activated carbon performance for the remediation of lead contaminated heavy metal water (Pb)
Khairiah, Frida E., Sebayang K., Sinuhaji P., Humaidi S.
Designing a dynamic model of waste management to get a sustainable living condition
Husain, Mawengkang H., Mathelinea D., Fitriani N., Detinty A.B.
A sustainable forest planning model with water allocation optimization for power plant
Sinaga J.A., Tulus, Mawengkang H., Nasution M.K.M.
Zeolite Filter-Activated Charcoal Cocoa Bark As Ammonium Absorbing Material in Greywater Waste
Susilawati, Sihombing Y.A., Rahayu S.U., Sembiring Y.Y.B., Waldiansyah L., Irma M.
Utilization of Breadfruit Starch Nanoparticle (Artocarpus altilis) as Oil-in-Water Microemulsion as Drug Delivery Matrix
Zuhra C.F., Sinaga M.Z.E., Suharman S., Nasution R.A.S., Manullang H., Ginting N.M., Sebayang Y.H., Nurhadija S.
Tensile Characteristics of Fiberglass-filled High Density Poyethylene Composites Formed Using Hot Press Mold for Cold Water Pipe
Dalil M., Wirjosentono B., Koto J., Ginting A., Arief D.S.
Antibacterial activities of water extract of Vernonia amygdalina Delile leaves
Mahatir M., Effendy D.L., Henni C., Denny S.
Hypoglycemic Effect of Biscuit Made from Flour, Starch, and Fiber Rich Flour from Purple Sweet Potato Starch Processing Waste in Rats
Fanny, Julianti E., Lubis L.M.
Effect of Sea Current to Composites Cold Water Pipeline of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion in Indonesia
Dalil M., Wirjosentono B., Koto J., Arief D.S., Junaidi A.
Water Distribution Network Optimization Model with Reliability Considerations in Water Flow (Debit)
Mawengkang H., Syahputra M.R., Sutarman S., Weber G.W.
STUDY ON ADSORPTION CAPACITY OF CORN STALKS IN DECREASING THE TURBIDITY OF BABURA RIVER WATER WITH BATCH OPERATION
Haryanto B., Batubara F., Ginting E.T., Situmorang D.A.D., Alexander V.
Study on the effect of oil palm shells on fresh water productivity of double slope solar still
Sibagariang Y.P., Napitupulu F.H., Kawai H., Ambarita H.
The development of a novel FM nanoadsorbent for heavy metal remediation in polluted water
Lubis K., Frida E., Sebayang K., Sinuhaji P., Humaidi S., Fudholi A.
Artificial Intelligence simulation of water treatment using nanostructure composite ordered materials
Syah R., Piri F., Elveny M., Khan A.
Akreditasi Fasilkom-TI
