SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) Progress
As of 2025, Al-Quds University continues to make comprehensive advancements toward completing SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Al-Quds University continues to progress strategically because it combines teaching, research, innovation, and working with the community. Al-Quds University teaches water and environmental sciences, civil engineering, and environmental engineering. With these programs, graduates acquire the high-level knowledge and practical abilities to solve important problems involving the management of water resources, sanitation, and the control of water pollution. Special focus is placed on the management of water resources, hydrology, wastewater treatment, and management of the water quality for the wastewater to ensure long-term water security in Palestine and the surrounding regions.
The University still maintains its reputation for commitment toward research and innovation in the water sector. Members of the faculty, together with their research teams, study and develop new ways of monitoring water quality, treating water, reusing wastewater, and managing water resources sustainably. This research helps in the formulation of new technologies and policies geared toward improving the efficiency of water and sanitation, and increasing the resilience to climate change. It is part of growing the body of knowledge in the field of study.
Al-Quds University continues to collaborate with stakeholders to advance the work of Al-Quds University on the SDG 6 goals. Through partnerships on projects, training, and technical consultations, the university provides training and technical expertise to community organizations and institutions working on water conservation, sanitation, and hygiene. Such initiatives equip local implementers with the knowledge and skills to adopt sustainable practices and promote responsible water use.
A University Innovation of 2025 is the first of its kind, on-site, treated water reuse facility. This is the first part of the comprehensive water management plan Al-Quds University designed for the campus. Under the supervision of Dr. Jawad Hasan Shoqeir, the facility was designed to meet the university’s zero water consumption goals. The facility incorporates advanced purification methods whereby treated wastewater is reused for non-potable uses on campus and is made available to the campus for use on non-potable applications. The facility removes 77.94% of wastewater pollutants and contribute towards sustainable operations of the university.
Al-Quds University embraces a multifaceted and integrated approach to water management that incorporates a range of defined and regulated procedures and controls along with planning to achieve the set goals on water use. The university’s system is made of the Main Artesian Well in Abu Dis, rainwater harvesting, recycled water, and controlled planned use for operational activities of the university. University monitors all of the used water for efficiency and stewardship including all recycled and harvested water to provide positive and sustainable water use and management practices.
Education, innovation, and community engagement define the sustainable water management practices employed by Al-Quds University. This sets a national benchmark and exemplifies how educational institutions can demonstrate the stewardship of essential natural resources, along with the provision of water and sanitation facilities.
Goal 6 seeks to ensure universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water, along with safe sanitation, hygiene facilities, and practices. The needs of people in vulnerable situations must be prioritized, and water quality must be improved by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous materials. Untreated wastewater must be reduced by half, and globally, the proportions regarding safe and sustainable wastewater reuse must be prioritized.
Al-Quds University participates in the 6th Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (SDG 6) in many ways including education, research, and outreach activities tailored to the community’s needs. In addition, Al-Quds University spends significant efforts in the fields of education and research related to clean water, sanitation, and sustainability as well as healthy sanitation practices because Al-Quds University understands the value of sanitization to health in addition to the globally accepted value of the provision of clean water and sanitation in healthy living and future sustainability.
Al-Quds University offers and actively educates undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of water and environmental sciences, environmental engineering, and related disciplines within the larger engineering fields. Al-Quds University equips future academics and practitioners with water and sanitation resource management education focusing on the hydrologic cycle, water quality, wastewater treatment technologies, and planning and management of various water resources in use and water facilities.
Al-Quds University sponsors advanced problem solving oriented research on water and wastewater treatment, water quality monitoring and assessment, and water resource management in the region. The resultant technologies and practices of this research contribute to improved water and sanitation provision and management policies in the region. Advanced research problem solving and provision of clean water and sanitation is a major step of Al-Quds University in promoting the health and future sustainability.
Community Outreach and Capacity Building: The university participates in community outreach initiatives which teach the community the importance of conserving water and the basics of sanitation and hygiene. This includes training the community on the sustainable use of water, wastewater treatment, and the sanitation best practices, and empowering them to improve their water management and sanitation systems.
Innovation in Water and Sanitation: Al-Quds University invests in the innovation of new technologies and practices for water and sanitation and lends support to the innovative research and development of solutions to water-related issues of scarcity, pollution, and inadequate sanitation. By building a culture of innovation, the university enhances the development of practices and technologies in water and sanitation, proving to have a positive durable effect on the communities and the environment.
Advocacy and Policy Initiatives: Al-Quds University has the effect of advocating the policies and strategies that serve the issues connected to water and sanitation. University experts work with entities on the development and execution of policies that are actioned through research, which expand access to safe water and sanitation.
In the case of Al-Quds University and the efforts towards the achievement of SDG 6 and the support of the attainment of Goal 5, there are a range of activities being undertaken. These are:
- The university focuses on a great deal of research and projects pertaining to the quality of water, desalination, and water footprint, as well as the management of water resources and the treatment of agricultural, health, and industrial wastewater, including the spatial and custodial water and wastewater.
- The university organizes training courses for various participants within the local community, including farmers, women, and teachers, in the areas of water treatment and environmental protection.
- The university provides potable water for free.
- The university conducts water analyses and determines the suitability of water for drinking.
- The university analyzes wastewater and drainage, and assesses its suitability for irrigation and agricultural use. The university also provides consultations to the community on these issues.
- Informing students, the faculties, and the admin for the need and advantages of conserving water and its rational use.
- Undertaking the regular servicing of the taps, water coolers, and tanks within the higher learning institution.
- Institutional water tanks, taps, and coolers are of enhanced quality to ensure safe and potable water for all its users.