Every Drop Matters: UDM Champions Free Drinking Water Access for a Healthier, Greener Campus
Universidad de Manila strengthens its commitment to student well-being, environmental sustainability, and inclusive campus services through the provision of free drinking water facilities.
MANILA, Philippines — Access to clean drinking water is more than a basic necessity—it is essential to health, well-being, and human dignity. Recognizing that a healthier learning environment begins with meeting the everyday needs of its academic community, the Universidad de Manila (UDM) has strengthened its commitment to sustainable campus development through the installation of water dispensers and drinking fountains across university premises.
Implemented in April 2025, the initiative reflects UDM’s proactive response to the health and hydration needs of students, faculty members, and administrative personnel, particularly during periods of extreme heat when the risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses becomes more pronounced.
Under the leadership of UDM President Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria, the university prioritized the provision of accessible and free drinking water as part of its continuing efforts to create a safe, healthy, inclusive, and environmentally responsible academic environment.
Bringing Free Drinking Water Closer to the UDM Community
Recognizing the importance of accessible drinking water, Dr. Carlos-Tria directed the university’s Maintenance and Engineering Division, headed by Engr. Jayson Valeroso, to facilitate the installation of drinking water facilities throughout the campus.
With the support of Maintenance and Engineering Division personnel and FGJS staff, water dispensers and drinking fountains were strategically positioned in areas accessible to members of the university community.
These locations include hallways, student centers, faculty offices, and other frequently used campus spaces.
The initiative helps ensure that students and employees have convenient access to drinking water during academic activities, office hours, and other university engagements.
By removing the need to purchase drinking water for routine hydration, the university also supports more equitable access to an essential daily resource.
Promoting Health and Well-Being Amid Extreme Heat
One of the primary motivations behind the initiative is the increasing importance of hydration during periods of high temperatures and extreme heat.
Students and university personnel may spend long hours attending classes, performing administrative responsibilities, and participating in campus activities. During hot weather, adequate hydration becomes particularly important in supporting physical well-being and reducing the risk of heat-related health problems.
Through the provision of free drinking water, UDM encourages regular water consumption and helps create a campus environment that responds to the physical needs of its academic community.
The initiative demonstrates that student welfare and employee well-being are integral components of quality educational services.
More importantly, it reinforces the understanding that a supportive learning environment extends beyond classrooms, laboratories, and academic resources to include essential health-related facilities.
Reducing Plastic Waste Through Sustainable Campus Practices
Beyond its immediate health benefits, the initiative also contributes to the university’s environmental sustainability efforts.
By providing readily accessible drinking water, UDM encourages students, faculty members, and staff to use refillable water containers rather than relying exclusively on commercially bottled water.
This approach can help reduce dependence on single-use plastic bottles, which contribute to solid waste generation and environmental pollution.
The installation of drinking water facilities therefore represents a practical opportunity to integrate sustainable consumption into everyday campus life.
Through simple but meaningful actions, such as refilling reusable water bottles, members of the UDM community can participate in promoting more environmentally responsible practices.
The initiative illustrates how institutional sustainability can be advanced through facilities and services that encourage healthier and more resource-conscious behavior.
Strengthening Institutional Commitment to Sustainable Development
The provision of free drinking water reflects UDM’s commitment to incorporating sustainability into its campus operations and student support services.
Rather than treating environmental responsibility as a purely academic concept, the university demonstrates how sustainable development principles can be translated into tangible improvements in campus facilities.
The initiative also highlights the importance of responsive university leadership and coordinated institutional action.
Through the collaboration of university administrators, maintenance personnel, and support staff, UDM has taken a practical step toward addressing an essential need while encouraging environmental awareness.
Such initiatives demonstrate how educational institutions can contribute to sustainable development through accessible services, responsible resource management, and campus-wide participation.
Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), particularly Indicator 6.3.3 – Free Drinking Water Provided, which recognizes the importance of making free drinking water available to members of the university community.
By installing drinking water facilities across campus, UDM demonstrates its commitment to improving access to this essential resource.
The initiative also supports several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Promoting regular hydration and supporting the prevention of dehydration and heat-related health concerns.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Encouraging the use of reusable drinking containers and reducing dependence on single-use plastic bottles.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Contributing to the development of healthier, more accessible, and environmentally responsible institutional facilities.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Supporting campus adaptation to periods of extreme heat through improved access to drinking water.
Together, these connections demonstrate how a practical campus initiative can contribute to broader sustainability objectives.
Building a Culture Where Every Drop Matters
UDM’s free drinking water initiative reinforces the university’s belief that sustainable development begins with concrete actions that improve people’s daily lives.
Through accessible drinking water facilities, the university continues to prioritize the health and well-being of its academic community while encouraging environmentally responsible habits.
The initiative also serves as a reminder that creating a sustainable university does not always require large-scale transformation. Meaningful progress can begin with practical improvements that respond to essential needs.
As Universidad de Manila continues to advance its commitment to quality education, student welfare, and sustainable campus development, the provision of free drinking water stands as a tangible expression of its responsibility to people and the environment.
At Universidad de Manila, every drop matters—because access to clean water supports healthier lives, sustainable choices, and a greener future for all.
