UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

UPES report · 3. Wastewater, sanitation and pollution control

3Wastewater, sanitation and pollution control

UPES treats every drop of its wastewater on campus, separates its waste at source, and keeps pollution out of rivers, soil and groundwater.

Impact

Not a single litre of untreated wastewater leaves UPES: the Central Ground Water Authority recognises it as a Zero Water Discharge campus.

650 KLDsewage treatment capacity
0litres of untreated wastewater discharged
5waste streams separated at source
  • All campus wastewater is treated in sewage treatment plants and reused on site.
  • Hazardous waste such as chemical containers and used oil is handled by authorised agencies, so it cannot reach water sources.
  • Sanitary waste is handled as biomedical waste, protecting sanitation workers and the environment.

Wastewater treatment

  • Sewage treatment. A sewage treatment system with a capacity of 650 kilolitres a day treats all wastewater produced on campus, and the treated water is reused rather than discharged.
  • Zero water discharge. According to the Central Ground Water Authority, UPES is a Zero Water Discharge campus: treated water is reused on campus, not released.

Preventing polluted water entering the water system

  • Policy commitment. The UPES Energy, Environment & Sustainability Policy (2025)[3] requires safe disposal and treatment of wastewater and prevention of contamination of natural water sources (§5.3.2), with regular monitoring and maintenance of water supply systems (§5.2).
  • Five waste streams. As set out in the UPES water and waste management report[1], waste is separated where it is produced into wet organic waste, dry recyclables, hazardous waste such as chemical containers and used oil, e-waste, and biomedical and sanitary waste.
  • Authorised disposal. Every stream is collected, stored, transported and disposed of through authorised agencies in line with environmental regulations, with recycling preferred over landfill.

Sanitation and hygiene

  • Menstrual hygiene. Sanitary napkin vending machines are installed in girls' hostels, and sanitary waste is handled as biomedical waste.