CLEAN WATERS, THRIVING DLSU

SDG 6 (CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION) REPORT
Academic Year 2023-2024

De La Salle University continues its strong commitment to environmental sustainability through programs that ensure responsible consumption of water, upgrade sanitation facilities, and promote sustainable methods of waste disposal. Over the last two years, DLSU has invested not only in infrastructure and research but more so in the culture of stewardship well beyond its Taft Avenue campus.

It is spearheaded by the University Sustainability Office, which runs several university activities regarding water conservation, proper waste management, and sanitation. DLSU’s sustainability framework is undergirded by the Lasallian values of responsibility and service. Thus, it follows a “Water Management Hierarchy” as a system to ensure minimal intake of fresh water, reusing it when possible, and avoiding contamination of natural sources at all times. The USO regularly monitors the university’s monthly water consumption by facility to track efficiency and reduce spillage. The office also oversees the operation of DLSU’s upgraded sewage treatment and wastewater systems, ensuring that facilities comply with internal and external environmental standards.

These are some of the initiatives and actions that have helped DLSU secure a spot in various international sustainability rankings. The university’s efforts toward achieving environmental goals — especially those pertaining to clean water and sanitation — landed it a spot in the top tiers of Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. Reports highlight that DLSU performed strongly in the Clean Water and Sanitation category. Improvements were attributed to its enhanced monitoring and infrastructure systems. DLSU mentioned that it had improved its waste management systems and upgraded sewage treatment plants on campus.

Besides facilities management, the academic community has embraced small-scale water conservation technologies. Repurposing recycled PVC pipes into an “Innovative Water-Saving Solution” for campus gardens, DLSU students showed how creativity and sustainability can coexist in daily campus life. This project, led by campus gardeners and sustainability staff, was recognized internally as part of DLSU’s ongoing initiative to implement low-cost, high-impact irrigation systems. Such initiatives from the grassroots level reflect a growing environmental awareness among Lasallians. They continue to find more avenues of contributing to the wider sustainability mission of the university.

Research has driven DLSU’s environmentalism as well. A number of studies on water resource management, sanitation, and community development have been authored by its faculty and students. Certain studies were focused on local governance of water and its conservation. Others, such as the HAPPY BERDE MULANAY study, have delved into how rural areas can be better served in terms of water supply and sanitation. These research outputs have contributed policy recommendations and practical models for improving rural access to clean water and sanitation. By employing such strategies, DLSU positions itself as a knowledge base for sustainable development that empowers communities.

The institution also partners with local government agencies, which shows that its outreach extends beyond campus. The La Salle Institute of Governance implements data-driven approaches toward sustainable urban governance through its SDG City Lab. Water and sanitation programs often form part of these partnerships. They ensure that DLSU’s environmental leadership makes a substantially positive impact beyond the campus. In one such collaboration, the SDG City Lab worked with the City of Manila on pilot studies that assessed water and sanitation access. These efforts informed the city’s policy frameworks for sustainability. While DLSU has achieved notable success, both administrators and students alike know that sustainability is a process. The university is committed to expanding transparency in reporting water use and treatment metrics. It also seeks to strengthen student participation in conservation initiatives. Efforts to engage the Lasallian community—from educational campaigns to facility improvements—reflect an understanding that sustainability thrives when everyone contributes.

Environmental sustainability at DLSU is an expression of Lasallian service and faith, not just adherence to international guidelines. Every endeavor demonstrates the university’s ongoing concern for the welfare of people and the environment, whether it be a tiny student garden initiative or an upgrade to the campus’s infrastructure. DLSU is a shining example of how education, creativity, and compassion can work together to create a more sustainable future for everybody as it builds on its sustainability achievements.