Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation.

Research and knowledge exchange

University of Liverpool researchers are tackling the root causes and solutions for SDG6, focused on clean water and sanitation, through a range of interdisciplinary studies. These include examining water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in high-risk environments, such as a recent study, Domestic River Water Use and Typhoid Fever Risk: Results from a Case-Control Study in Blantyre, Malawi, which provides critical insights into waterborne disease prevention strategies. Additionally, the University’s work on the Mono Fluor optical instrument represents a significant breakthrough in water quality assessment. This cost-effective, fluorescence-based tool enables real-time detection of contaminants, making it highly applicable in both advanced and resource-limited settings to enhance water security worldwide. Collectively, these projects underscore Liverpool’s commitment to innovative, research-driven solutions that address both immediate and long-term water sustainability challenges.

Operations

The University of Liverpool supports SDG 6 by promoting sustainable water management, conservation initiatives, and improved access to clean water and sanitation across campus. We have implemented comprehensive water usage policies, with all necessary permits and licenses in place. Free drinking water refill stations are available across campus, and these are listed on the Refill app, allowing individuals to easily locate nearby refill points. We actively promote conscious water usage on campus with the Bottle Up campaign and Keep Cup initiative to increase the use of reusable cups and encourage sustainable water use. New buildings are designed to meet BREEAM Excellent standards, incorporating sustainable construction practices such as water conservation systems and rainwater harvesting. We also use AquaFund, a scheme that helps reduce water consumption and costs, while supporting WaterAid's mission to provide clean water to communities in need. In partnership with Hey!, we introduced a program to provide free period products to staff and students, further supporting accessibility and sanitation on campus.

Education and student experience

The University of Liverpool offers a range of courses dedicated to water sustainability and environmental challenges, particularly focusing on issues like clean water access and sanitation. One such course is the Sustainable Water Engineering module, which addresses critical aspects of water management, including flood risk prediction, water demand assessment, and the design of infrastructure for water storage and distribution. Additionally, the university's Environmental Science BSc (Hons program provides a comprehensive study of major environmental issues, including water pollution, ecosystem degradation, and sustainability. This program emphasises practical experience through both fieldwork and laboratory experiments, allowing students to gain hands-on understanding of real-world environmental challenges, particularly those related to water resources. These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex issues in water sustainability and environmental management.

Case studies

Improving sustainable water management

The School of Architecture at the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with Lancaster University and Manchester Metropolitan University, successfully secured £250,000 in AHRC funding for their pioneering project, Waterborne: The Heritage, Culture, and Environment of UK Reservoirs. This project aims to deepen the understanding of UK reservoirs through three interconnected PhD research studies that will explore the intersections of design, policy, community memory, and the heritage of water infrastructure. Drawing on multidisciplinary arts and humanities methods, Waterborne investigates both the tangible and intangible heritage aspects of reservoirs, while also addressing pressing concerns about water security and cleanliness. The project aligns with the recent National Policy Statement on water infrastructure, underscoring the importance of sustainable water management in the context of evolving environmental challenges.

Improving sanitation in informal settlements

Researchers from the University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture have pioneered innovative solutions to improve sanitation in informal settlements, focusing on low-cost, sustainable septic systems designed to mitigate waterborne disease risks. Collaborating with BRAC University and the Centre for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism (Ci+AU), they conducted an ODA-funded project in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This project, titled Improving Sanitation Safety Through Soft Engineering Design Solutions, addressed the sanitation challenges in Karail’s informal settlement and the surrounding Banani Lake pollution. The research team closely analyzed toilet usage and resident mobility across mapped alleys, gaining insights crucial for designing locally viable sanitation solutions. In a further development, the researchers launched a new initiative to build a prototype of a communal solar-heated septic tank at a public school in Bhashantek. This system combines solar power with air-source heat pump technology to disinfect human waste, producing fertilizer as a byproduct. This innovative, net-zero system aims to provide a sustainable and scalable sanitation solution, with plans for adaptation across other informal settlements and schools in ODA-listed countries, supporting public health while utilizing renewable energy sources.

Rapid, low-cost water quality assessment for all

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have made significant strides in developing accessible, low-cost water quality assessment tools to tackle pressing global water security issues. Recognising the vast need for safe drinking water, highlighted by the 2.2 billion people who lacked access to safely managed drinking water in 2022, Liverpool's research team is addressing these challenges by creating rapid, real-time testing technologies essential for both developed and developing regions. Traditional pathogen detection methods, which can take over 30 hours, are often impractical for immediate public health needs, especially in resource-limited areas where delays can exacerbate waterborne disease risks. To provide a solution, Liverpool’s researchers designed the Mono Fluor, a portable optical instrument that uses fluorescence spectroscopy to assess water quality instantly. By detecting markers for microbial contamination and organic matter, the tool offers quick, reliable results without the need for extensive sample processing, making it ideal for use in settings from urban utilities to rural communities. Mono Fluor’s compact design and ease of use empower local communities by allowing non-experts to perform water testing, fostering greater public health independence and response capability. Future plans involve refining the device for broader use in utility monitoring in developed regions and adapting it for emergency response in areas with poor sanitation, with the ultimate goal of preventing outbreaks of diseases linked to unsafe water.