Goal 6: Policies, processes and practices

The following page outlines specific policies, processes and practices in support of Sustainable Development Goal 6 Clean Water and Sanitation.

Measuring water consumption  

We measure the total volume of water used in the university that is taken from mains supply, desalinated or extracted from rivers, lakes or aquifers. Our water consumption figures are annually published as part of our environmental sustainability reporting. The most recent data reported on HESA indicates the volume of water used in the whole university was 651,604 m3 in the year 2023/24.  

Wastewater treatment

The University of Manchester ensures that 100% of its campus wastewater is responsibly treated in line with UK environmental regulations. Our wastewater is managed through the city’s sewer network and treated by United Utilities, our licensed partner, which operates under the Environment Agency’s strict discharge standards. Within our estate, laboratory effluents and surface water drainage are pre-treated or managed on site to prevent contamination before entering the sewer system. The University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and ISO 14001 environmental management system provide oversight and assurance that wastewater is handled safely, supporting UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

We have implemented a process to reuse rainwater in our buildings. Alan Gilbert Learning Commons uses a rainwater drainage and harvesting system with a capacity of 20,000 litres which feeds the WC cisterns throughout the building. Alternatively, the majority of our wastewater treatment takes place with United Utilities.

Water system pollution prevention

Water is a scarce resource, and we recognise the critical importance of preventing water pollution and using water sustainably. We have robust processes to prevent polluted water entering the water system, including pollution caused by accidents and incidents on our campus.

We adhere to UK government guidelines on water discharge and standards to uphold water quality and protect ecosystem, wildlife, and human health and welfare.

Our target is zero reportable pollution incidents for emissions and discharges as part of our Environmental Sustainability Strategy. We are also committed to reducing our water consumption by 15% by 2028, using 2022 as our baseline year.

Here we follow a range of health and safety procedures and policies, including the  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) framework, which sets out how all areas where hazardous substances are used must carry out risk assessments, implement controls, and review exposure and disposal.

For example:

• All laboratories and workshop areas where chemicals or hazardous liquids are stored must maintain up-to-date COSHH risk assessments and ensure drains, bunds and spill-kits are in place and properly maintained.
• Spill response procedures require immediate containment, clean-up, recording of incident, and assessment of whether any contaminated water has entered drainage systems.
• Routine audits ensure compliance with COSHH controls, including correct storage, labelled waste containers, and drainage features to prevent untreated liquids entering surface or foul water systems.

Through these procedures our Estate & Facilities team and Environmental Sustainability Team ensure that surface water run-off, drainage from labs and chemical stores, and any accidental discharges are managed in line with both COSHH and the broader drainage/pollution prevention guidance.

Free drinking water

We provide free drinking water for staff, students and visitors. We have a document that lists all our free water dispensers on campus. We have improved water dispenser provision across campus and produced high quality signage for free drinking water facilities. We have mapped our publicly accessible water dispensers on our Sustainability Map to encourage our staff and students to refill their reusable water bottles for free. 

In our Responsible Plastics Action plan, the first row shows that water fountains can be located by visiting the sustainability map. Many of our Food on Campus outlets are available to members of the public on the Refill app which also shows plans to continue to improve water dispenser provision across campus and produce high quality signage for drinking water facilities. 

Water conscious building standards

 University of Manchester embeds water-efficient design standards across all new build and refurbishment projects to minimise water consumption and prevent wastage. Water conservation is a key requirement within our sustainable construction standards, as outlined in the Campus and Construction section of our Environmental Sustainability website, and in our internal Design Standards. These standards specify the installation of low-flow taps and showers, dual-flush toilets, leak-detection systems, and water-efficient laboratory and catering equipment. We follow Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) which is the world’s foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings. This includes multiple measures to minimise water use during design, construction and operation. The University consistently targets “Very Good” or “Excellent” ratings that include specific credits for water efficiency, leak prevention and responsible sourcing.

Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023–2028 also commits the University to reducing total water consumption by 15 per cent by 2028, using 2022 as our baseline year. Ongoing monitoring and sub-metering are incorporated into building management systems, ensuring continuous measurement and improvement in water performance across our estate.

Through these integrated building and sustainability standards, the University ensures that every project, from small-scale refurbishments to major new research facilities, supports responsible water use and contributes directly to our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Water conscious planting

The University of Manchester’s landscape and biodiversity management practices are designed to minimise water use and support resilient planting across our campus. Our Campus Biodiversity and Landscape Management Plans prioritise the use of native and drought-tolerant species that thrive in Manchester’s climate without the need for artificial irrigation. The Grounds Team employs mulching, green-waste composting and groundcover planting to retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation and suppress weeds naturally. Irrigation is kept to a minimum and limited to newly established or vulnerable plants, with seasonal timing aligned to rainfall patterns. This approach is integrated within our broader Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023–2028, which commits the University to protecting natural resources and enhancing biodiversity across the estate.

Our living wall has been designed to minimise water usage using computerised automatic irrigation. We plant green roofs and walls for several reasons: they are part of our climate-adaptation actions, promote wellbeing through green space, and minimise water usage, all benefits are highlighted in our Green Roof and Wall policy. Another way we minimise water use through our planting landscapes is by adding swell gel to compost for summer and spring bedding, and shrub borders to retain water during the hotter months of the year.

Through these sustainable landscaping standards, the University ensures that its green spaces not only enrich biodiversity but also conserve water and reduce environmental impact throughout the year, directly contributing to UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Sustainable water extraction

We utilise sustainable water extraction technologies across university grounds on and off campus

In line with our Code of Practice, we follow specific criteria on sustainable urban drainage.

• Ensuring that the design has no greater run-off from the site than pre-development following EA guidance.
• Investigating potential of using permeable surface and minimising impervious area.
• Recording pre-development proportion of permeable surfaces and aim at increasing it.
• Prioritising SUDs solutions that support the increase of biodiversity, habitat creation and local transpirative cooling.

Measurement and monitoring of water use and drainage are built into the Environmental Sustainability Project Tracker, ensuring long-term oversight of stormwater flow, discharge quality, and surface infiltration.

Beyond operational practice, our academic community advances sustainable extraction technologies through research in hydrology, groundwater modelling, and water treatment innovation. For example, Watercycle Technologies, a University spin-out, develops resource-efficient methods for recovering and re-using water from industrial brines—supporting responsible water use across wider sectors.

Water reuse policy and measurement

Policy:

We have a clear policy and operational commitment to water reuse, aligned with our Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023–2028. Our Energy and Utilites policy, reviewed in 2024, includes maximising water reuse across the University and measures to minimise water consumption, as does our Code of Practice for Design Teams. We also publish our broader approach to sustainable use of water.

Water reuse is built into the design and operation of selected campus buildings through the capture and reuse of rainwater for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing, irrigation and cleaning. Where feasible, rainwater harvesting systems have been installed in recent developments and refurbishments, including high-use academic and laboratory spaces. These installations reduce demand on mains water and improve resilience to drought conditions. Our water reuse measures are guided by the University’s sustainable construction and design standards, which incorporate Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology BREEAM criteria for water efficiency and reuse. The Environmental Sustainability Team monitors water consumption across the estate and reports progress annually through our published sustainability performance data.

As part of our ongoing policy review cycle, the University has reaffirmed its commitment (2023–2028 Strategy) to reduce total water consumption by 15 percent by 2028 (using 2022 as the baseline) and to expand water reuse opportunities wherever practical and cost-effective.

The Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD), now the University’s flagship Nancy Rothwell building, demonstrates this commitment. The building integrates sustainable drainage to achieve a 30% reduction in site run-off compared to pre-development levels. It also incorporates high-quality green public realm areas with permeable paving, infiltration zones and green roofs that enhance water retention and biodiversity.

Our Detectronic SuDS monitoring scheme provides further evidence of systematic implementation across the University. This includes 17 flow meters and 2 level sensors installed in key drainage zones across campus, allowing continuous monitoring of surface water networks to support long-term water management.

We also promote water reuse across our estate. Water collected from Broomcroft Hall and The Firs Botanical Grounds is reused for plant irrigation in our greenhouses. The MECD building also includes rainwater collection systems, reusing an estimated 24,000 litres of water annually.

Measurement: 

We measure the reuse of water across the University. Based on collection and usage data, we measure that at least 24,000 litres of water are reused annually. Examples of water reuse across the University include at Broomcroft Hall and The Firs Botanical Grounds, where collected rainwater is reused for greenhouse irrigation, and a rainwater butt on the roof of the Engineering Building.

Measurement and reporting are supported through project tracking and environmental documentation, ensuring consistent monitoring across the estate. Water reuse is embedded within our Environmental Sustainability Project Tracker and Design Code, which require all new capital projects to assess and integrate rainwater harvesting and reuse systems where feasible. The University’s Water and Resource Management webpage confirms this practice, referencing rainwater reuse across projects including the Engineering Buildings A & B, the Royce Institute, and the Pankhurst Centre, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable water use and transparent reporting.

Promoting water management 

We provide a wide range of free educational opportunities for local and national communities to learn about good water management, conservation and flood resilience, aligning with UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). We deliver both community-based and online global learning programmes. The University offers a world-leading free  Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Clean Water and Sanitation, accessible to anyone worldwide to enhance understanding of sustainable water management and sanitation practices (FutureLearn – Clean Water and Sanitation MOOC).

Our academics are working with a range of water companies, universities, home builders & local authorities on an Ofwat project Enabling Water Smart Communities – so communities can learn how to conserve water, manage drought & floods. Additionally, our researchers actively share knowledge through community workshops, citizen-science projects and public engagement activities focused on river health, water pollution and flood risk. For example, Professor Jamie Woodward’s research on river systems, microplastic pollution and flood events has directly informed community education programmes and national policy discussions on water security. His team collaborates with local schools, environmental charities and angling groups to improve public understanding of sustainable river management and flood prevention.

These initiatives form part of the University’s broader commitment, set out in our Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023–2028 and Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement agenda, to make research accessible, empower communities, and build collective capacity in sustainable water management.

Promoting conscious water usage

Water is a scarce resource, and we recognise the critical importance of the sustainable use of water resources. We actively promote conscious water usage across campus, ensuring that staff, students and visitors understand how to use water responsibly as part of our wider sustainability culture. We monitor and assess our water consumption and use across the University campus to ensure that this important resource is used in a sustainable way. Further, we commit to reducing total water consumption by 15% by 2028, using 2022 as the baseline year (Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023 – 2028).

Through our water resource management plans, we monitor consumption across residences, catering outlets and laboratories, and have introduced efficient taps, showers and leak-detection systems to minimise wastage. We also make it easy for our community to stay hydrated sustainably: free water dispensers are located across campus, and an interactive map helps staff and students find their nearest refill point.

To raise awareness and encourage behaviour change, staff and students receive regular reminders on how to manage water efficiently; for example, reporting leaks promptly, using cold water where possible, and reducing water use in laboratories. Guidance is shared through sustainability campaigns, building signage and staff training. These actions are reinforced through laboratory induction programmes and safety guidance, ensuring that water efficiency is embedded in daily practice. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how the University integrates policy, infrastructure and engagement to foster a culture of water stewardship on campus, directly supporting UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Beyond campus, the University actively promotes conscious water usage across the wider community, ensuring that its research, partnerships and civic engagement contribute to responsible water use locally, nationally and internationally.

Our research helps to inform how limited freshwater resources can be managed sustainably and efficiently to meet the competing needs of human use and the environment  Major on-going research in this area includes sustainable water consumption, identifying the drivers of individual and household water consumption practices, and developing solutions to incentivise more efficient water use behaviour and governance. We explicitly support sectoral and inter-sectoral water policy in the UK and globally, including work that promotes equitable and sustainable water management in Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries, helping to enable economic growth and improved resilience to climate change.

Our Hydrocitizenship research  actively engages local communities, water-sector professionals and creative practitioners on sustainable water management, enhancing understanding of critical issues such as flooding, drought and pollution. This work uses art-based and participatory methods to encourage reflection, dialogue and practical action, and is shared through public talks and community exhibitions that inspire water-conscious behaviour beyond the University.

Together, they demonstrate how the University integrates policy, research and community engagement to foster a culture of water stewardship that extends beyond the campus and contributes directly to UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Off-campus water conservation support

 We support water conservation off campus. Water conservation is a principal theme for our Manchester Environmental Research Institute, which brings together academics from all University Faculties with partners from industry, government, civil society groups, NGOs, and environmental organisations to address water conservation, climate change and clean water – at a local to global level. Our Hydrocitizenship research is helping to understand how communities live and engage with the environment, which is key for promoting sustainable management of water resources off campus, in local communities.  

Cooperation on water security

We cooperate extensively with local, regional, national and global partners and governments on water security, aligning our research and civic engagement with UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). At the local and regional level, our researchers work closely with United Utilities, the Environment Agency and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to monitor water use, improve catchment management and strengthen community resilience to flooding and drought.

At the national level, we cooperate with policymakers through the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to bring together senior policymakers and academic experts to address the UK’s water-environment challenges to reduce consumption and manage extreme-weather risks. For instance, the work by Dr Alison Browne and colleagues has helped with Defra’s Action Based Research programmes and Rapid Evidence Reviews regarding water demand, especially in context of climate and societal change

At the international level, the University leads and contributes to major research partnerships that support sustainable water governance and climate resilience. Through the FUTUREDAMS project, our academics are working with national and international governments to ensure that dams provide secure and sustainable water resources while minimising environmental impacts. Further collaboration occurs through the Global Development Institute, where researchers works with communities in low- and middle-income countries to issues around the access to clean water.