Progress Report on SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET)
Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET) is committed to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for its campus community and surrounding areas, aligning with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The university integrates infrastructure, research, and community outreach to advance safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Key Highlights
- Campus Drinking-Water Infrastructure: In August 2023, RUET initiated a major drinking-water infrastructure upgrade: six residential dormitories will receive hot-and-cold water filters on each floor, and campus base-pipe size is being increased from 6 mm to 10 mm to supply iron-free drinking water.(bssnews.net)
- Water-Resource Research: The Department of Civil Engineering published “A Study on Diminishing Trend of Surface Water Sources in Northern Bangladesh Using Remote Sensing” (Paper ID CE 0325, ICPACERUET 2023), demonstrating RUET’s engagement in long-term regional water-resource assessment.(icpaceruet.org)
- Water-Quality Studies: Another October 2023 conference paper, “Identification and Characterization of Microplastics in Surface Water Sources at Rajshahi City” (Paper ID CE 0304), reflects RUET’s focus on water-quality research addressing pollution, sanitation, and public health.(icpaceruet.org)
- Campus Infrastructure: RUET’s urban campus spans approximately 152 acres, providing the scale for integrated water-supply, sanitation, and wastewater infrastructure.(ruet.ac.bd)
- Faecal Sludge Management Workshop: In May 2024, RUET hosted a six-day workshop on Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in collaboration with the Institute of Techno-Knowledge, BUET (ITN-BUET), attended by ~160 civil-engineering students. The workshop included a field visit to a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) in Chapainawabganj, enhancing hands-on exposure to sanitation systems.(ruet.ac.bd)
- Municipal Collaboration: The university coordinates with Rajshahi Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (RWASA) for municipal water and sanitation services, ensuring reliable supply and integrated wastewater management for campus facilities.(en.wikipedia.org)
Impact & Next Steps
RUET is functioning as a knowledge hub for water and sanitation challenges—both through campus infrastructure and regional research—supporting SDG 6 targets on safe water, sanitation, wastewater treatment, resource management, and community outreach.
Planned directions for improvement include:
- Conducting and publishing detailed campus-specific audits of drinking-water supply (number of filters/points, litres per day), sanitation-facility coverage (including toilets/showers per hall), and wastewater treatment/discharge data.
- Installing or upgrading systems for water recycling or rainwater harvesting, with annual reporting on water reuse volumes.
- Extending community engagement programmes into Rajshahi metropolitan and surrounding rural zones, leveraging RUET’s engineering expertise to improve access to safe water and sanitation for local communities.