SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6.3 - Water usage and care
Ensuring long-term water security and preserving natural aquatic ecosystems are fundamental components of our university’s environmental stewardship. Leyte Normal University (LNU) implements rigorous conservation practices, routine water quality monitoring, and pollution prevention measures to protect both the quantity and purity of local water sources.
Through targeted infrastructure upgrades—such as rainwater harvesting systems, efficient distribution networks, and sustainable wastewater management—we minimize resource depletion while preventing contamination. By integrating responsible water usage into daily operations and community outreach, our university actively safeguards vital water ecosystems for both our campus and the surrounding region.
6.3.1 - Wastewater treatment
Outsourcing Water Treatment
The water used in the campus is provided and regularly monitored by the Prime Water Leyte Metro. They conduct routine testing and analysis of the following parameters: ph levels, bacterial contamination, chemical pollutants, turbidity, and heavy metals.
The continuous monitoring process allows the university to identify any potential sources of water contamination and take corrective actions promptly, ensuring the protection of both human health and the environment. This external verification further demonstrates the university’s adherence to water pollution control measures
In-Campus Sewage and Wastewater Facilities
In addition to outsourcing its potable water treatment, Leyte Normal University operates a comprehensive in-campus sewage and wastewater treatment system. This critical infrastructure is integrated across the university to ensure that all effluent (wastewater) generated from campus operations is properly managed and treated before being discharged back into the environment.
The primary goal of this in-house system is environmental compliance. By treating its own wastewater, LNU ensures that the effluent released into the local environment meets or exceeds all standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This prevents the pollution of local waterways and protects public health in the surrounding community. Furthermore, this infrastructure is a cornerstone of the university’s sustainability goals, as it allows for the potential reuse of treated water for non-potable purposes like irrigation.
To manage this process effectively, the university employs a dedicated wastewater treatment infrastructure that serves all three (3) compounds of the campus, as presented in the following infrastructure plans:
6.3.2 - Preventing water system pollution
Leyte Normal University adheres to strict institutional policies regarding the proper disposal of insoluble waste and other toxic materials, especially those originating from student laboratories.
The university’s Academic Services Manual outlines clear, practical guidelines for waste management aimed at preventing water pollution. These policies mandate the proper disposal of insoluble waste, the neutralization of chemical substances before discharge, the disinfection of biological materials, the safe handling of sharp objects, and designated disposal methods for animal tissues.
Together, these measures ensure responsible waste management, significantly reducing the risk of contaminants entering the wastewater system and promoting overall environmental sustainability on campus.
6.3.3 - Free drinking water provided
Leyte Normal University’s commitment to providing accessible, clean drinking water for its students and faculty is formalized within its institutional directives, specifically Chapter 3, Section A.1., Paragraph 3 of its Integrated Environmental Management and Resilience Policy (IEMRP).
This official policy, which commits the university to providing water dispensers, is actively supported and accelerated by student-led initiatives. This collaboration is clearly demonstrated by the recent contributions from the Seniors Class Organization (SENCO). The SENCO class of 2022 began this effort by donating a public drinking fountain, and this momentum was continued by both the SENCO classes of 2023 and 2024, which donated additional water dispensers. This powerful synergy between the university’s formal policy and proactive student generosity ensures a robust, campus-wide system for free and sustainable water access.
The generous gesture of these senior classes gave way to the establishment of the university’s Free Access to Drinking Water Program.
Free Drinking Water Program for Students
The Leyte Normal University Free Access to Drinking Water Program was initiated through successive donations of modern drinking water units by the SENCO, beginning with a foundational public drinking fountain donated by the Class of 2022. Managed and operated by the Physical Plants and Facilities Office (PPFO), these filtered, automatic dispensers are strategically installed across high-traffic corridors, lobbies, and college buildings, with the PPFO overseeing routine maintenance, filtration system management, and regular water quality testing.
This campus-wide initiative democratizes hydration access by eliminating financial barriers for students, faculty, and staff while serving as the physical implementation of LNU’s Integrated Environmental Management and Resilience Policy. Furthermore, the program advances the university’s green initiatives and aligns with Tacloban City’s plastic reduction ordinance by actively encouraging the use of reusable water bottles and drastically curbing single-use plastic waste across campus.
6.3.4 - Water-conscious building standards
Leyte Normal University’s commitment to “water-conscious building standards” is demonstrated through a comprehensive strategy that interlinks regulatory compliance with practical, ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
The foundation of this strategy is a strict adherence to environmental policy. The university ensures its infrastructure projects comply with the Philippine Clean Water Act by securing necessary environmental permits from the DENR. This involves conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to identify water-related risks and, based on the findings, securing either an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for major projects or a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) for those determined to have no significant environmental impact.
Furthermore, the university is building upon this progress through its ambitious Water System Rehabilitation Plan. This large-scale upgrade will install even more advanced water-saving fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and sensor-based faucets, and integrate new conservation methods like rainwater harvesting. Together, LNU’s adherence to environmental law, its current inventory of efficient hardware, and its forward-looking rehabilitation plan create a robust, multi-layered standard for responsible water management.
This high-level compliance is directly reflected in the university’s physical assets. LNU has already made significant progress in efficiency by actively utilizing 161 water-efficient appliances, which now constitute 63.9% of all water appliances on campus.
LNU has integrated water-efficient fixtures across its campus facilities to advance responsible resource management and campus sustainability. Out of a total inventory of 316 water appliances, 205 units—representing 64.8% of all fixtures—are water-efficient, compared to 111 conventional models (36%). This transition directly supports institutional water conservation targets by reducing overall water usage throughout academic, administrative, and hospitality spaces.
The campus-wide inventory includes 51 dual-flush toilets that reduce consumption to 4 or 6 liters per flush, along with 73 aerated faucets in various restrooms that limit flow rates to 5.6 liters per minute. Specialized equipment includes 35 low-flow showerheads and two high-efficiency front-load washing machines installed at Hotel Crescencia and LNU House, as well as two sensor-based dishwashers in the Hospitality Management and Tourism Management laboratories. These high-efficiency upgrades significantly reduce flow rates and per-cycle consumption compared to traditional units, supporting sustainable daily operations across campus facilities.
Table 1. Inventory of LNU's Water Appliances (2025)
| Total No. of Water Efficient Appliances | No. of Conventional/Regular Water Appliances | Percentage | No. of Water-Efficient Water Appliances | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
316 |
111 |
36% |
205 |
64.8% |
6.3.5 - Water-conscious planting
As part of its renewed commitment to environmental sustainability, Leyte Normal University has initiated a strategic tree planting program as part of its founding anniversary to revitalize its open campus spaces. This effort moves beyond simple greening by deliberately focusing on planting “water-conscious” trees.
This initiative involves selecting native and drought-tolerant species such as Rosewood and Coconut that are naturally adapted to the local climate. Unlike ornamental varieties that require intensive care, these species thrive with minimal artificial irrigation once established. This intelligent selection directly supports the university’s water conservation goals by significantly reducing the water footprint associated with campus landscaping, demonstrating a practical link between biodiversity and responsible resource management.
