Clean Water and adequate Sanitation are important for all and it is the key foundations for good health. By managing water sustainability, we are able to manage the production of food, energy, environmental protection, economic development and also we can preserve our water ecosystems and their biodiversity. According to United Nations statement, due to bad economics or poor infrastructure millions of people including children die every year from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology emphasizes sustainable water management by continuously monitoring water quality, ensuring that all water sources meet health and safety standards while reducing environmental impact. It also provides educational opportunities for local communities to learn about good water management.
The institute has developed water quality standards and a water discharge policy to ensure sustainable water management, protect water resources, and maintain environmental safety in line with SDG 6.
A.CAMPUS WATER USAGE MONITORING SYSTEM:
The campus meets its water needs from private suppliers, including ponds and wells located within the institution’s premises and the water is transported through tanker lorries that comply with safety and quality standards. The institution continuously monitors water usage to ensure its commitment to sustainable water management as part of its contribution to SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.
Campus water consumption overview:
Raw water sourced from private supply: 20,00,000 litres/day
Treated water reused from STP: 10,00,000 litres/day
Total water consumption: 30,00,000 litres/day
Through efficient treatment systems such as the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), the university recovers and reuses approximately one-third of its daily water requirement, reducing dependency on external sources. With a campus population of 18,500 students, faculty, and staff, the average per-person water consumption is approximately 50 litres per day, covering basic needs such as drinking, cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene supporting sustainable water use in line with SDG 6.
SIST offers free drinking water through filtered water stations and coolers in common areas, academic buildings, libraries, hostels, and administrative offices.
B.CAMPUS SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND WATER REUSE:
In the state of industry collaboration laboratory facility, Sewage treatment plant is established in the year 2019 in association with in-house Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, and Centre for Waste Management and Eco care Engineering Systems Pvt.Ltd to treat about 15 lakhs litres of raw sewage water in a day by adopting Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) process.
An on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is the institutional mechanism used to handle all wastewater produced on the campus which guarantees adherence to environmental laws and optimizes water reuse.
The specification details of the STP is given below:
The institute has implemented rainwater harvesting systems in every block, supported by well-maintained infrastructure and adequate storage structures.
Our university with a formal water reuse policy and an operational Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) measures the reuse of water across the campus. Specific flow meters are installed on the pipes that carry the treated water from the STP to the point’s irrigation supply lines and supply lines for toilets. These meters accurately record the total volume of recycled water in litres that is put back into circulation and utilized by the campus over a day. Daily operations successfully recycle 10 lakh litres of water, primarily sourced from the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). This substantial volume allows the university to achieve a commendably high-Water Reuse Percentage of 33.33%. This figure signifies that one-third of the university's total water demand which includes high-volume users such as hostels, academics blocks, laboratories, and extensive campus landscaping is sustainably met through recycled resources. This performance is a key indicator of the institution's commitment to water security and environmental stewardship, ensuring both operational efficiency and resource conservation.
C.WATER SYSTEM POLLUTION PREVENTIVE OPERATIONS:
Controlled Discharge Protocol: Untreated industrial wastewater from kitchens, workshops, and labs cannot go into the storm water or general sewer systems. Before being sent to the main Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), it is first sent to pre-treatment facilities (such as neutralization tanks for chemical labs and grease traps for kitchens).
Storm water Management: The University keeps the storm water drainage system (for rainwater) and sanitary sewer system (for waste water) clearly separated. Illegal cross-connections that might allow contaminated water to enter the clean storm water runoff are prevented by routine maintenance.
Safe Waste Disposal: Research lab hazardous waste (chemical, biological, and radioactive) must be properly separated, contained, and disposed of according to strict guidelines.
D. CAMPUS WATER CONSCIOUS PLANTING:
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology uses drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler devices to distribute water to plant roots, reducing surface evaporation. The campus gardens with perforated piping systems guarantee soil hydration and responsible water use in align with SDG 6.
The treated water is used for irrigation and toilet flushing. This approach is in line with the "Water-Conscious Planting" philosophy and reduces the amount of potable water used for non-drinking uses. To ensure balanced irrigation schedules, new green spaces surrounding building entrances, student zone, and around campus are planned with native plants arranged by water-demand zones.
The "Green Campus" effort incorporates instructional signage that explains how sustainable planting lowers water usage, increasing staff and student knowledge.
A key component of SIST's campus sustainability framework is water-conscious landscaping. Drought-tolerant plants, drip irrigation systems, rainfall collection channels, and grey water reuse applications are now features of the university's green spaces. These possible solutions have maintained lush, bio diverse vegetation while reducing irrigation water use by up to one-third.
E. COMMUNITY WATER GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT:
a. Cooperation on water security:
The university cooperates with local and regional government agencies on water security, particularly in the area of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Our university Centre for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics involved with local Cooperation to conduct a high-resolution GIS analysis around the campus to identify the low lying and high level areas, that are vulnerable during a flood event. This collaboration directly contributes to enhancing water security by reducing human vulnerability and infrastructure loss associated with hydro-meteorological extremes like floods.
Sathyabama Research Park - Centre for Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology and Freie University, Berlin, Germany jointly organized International Webinar on “Groundwater-Surface water Interaction: Insights from Modelling and Field Applications. The Special guest speaker Dr Brindha Karthikeyan presented the groundwater- surface interaction significance and detailed about aquifer recharge techniques and how to reduce the pollution from groundwater- surface water and also to find out the impact of MAR structures on the local community and agricultural activities. About 43 participants from various universities, colleges and government organizations (Indian Institute of Science, NIT Calicut, NIOT, Anna University, University of Madras, VOC College, AMET University, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department, King Abdulaziz University, Geological Survey of India participated.
b. Promoting Conscious water usage on campus:
In order to actively use visual cues, our university places educational stickers and signage in all areas where water is used, such as restrooms, labs, and sinks. Every time a fixture is used, this acts as a constant, instantaneous, and visible reminder to all users - faculty, staff, and students to reduce waste and adopt water-saving practices.
The institute visually and physically promotes the idea of water as a reusable resource by having a system for Water Reuse Demonstration, usually from a Sewage Treatment Plant or grey water system. This initiative raises awareness by educating the community about: Wastewater is a valuable, managed resource. Our university involved our students to promote the system of water reuse.
To guarantee that the externally sourced water is used as efficiently and waste-free as possible, we employ highly effective, non-extracting technologies, such as low-flow fixtures, sensor-based taps, and smart metering. This response is honest, addresses the metric's goal, and provides strong evidence of your sustainability efforts.
On the occasion of World Food Day (16th October 2023), an awareness program titled 'Water is Food, Water is Life: Leave No One Behind' was conducted to promote sustainable water use. Students actively participated in various competitions, helping raise awareness about the critical role of water in ensuring life and food security, in line with SDG 6 targets.
c. Promoting Conscious water usage in the wider community:
As part of a community engagement initiative, our university students organized and implemented an outreach program focused on water conservation. The program aimed to raise awareness on the importance of sustainable water use while equipping the local community with practical techniques for daily water preservation. Through activities such as rainwater-harvesting workshops, community clean ups, poster campaigns, and public awareness drives, students actively promoted responsible water management.
The NSS unit of Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology led a comprehensive lake cleaning drive in Kumizhi Panchayat, near Guduvanchery, Chennai on August 24, 2023 and Sitalambakam Lake On March 17, 2024 . The event encompassed rigorous cleaning efforts, waste segregation, and educational sessions on environmental conservation. Volunteers collaborated with local authorities and residents to restore the lake's ecosystem and promote community involvement in maintaining its cleanliness. Through collective action and commitment, the initiative not only beautified the surroundings but also raised awareness about the significance of preserving water bodies for a sustainable future.
