MEMORANDUM Series of 2025
January 10, 2025
Compliance to Sustainable Water Extraction Standards on Campus and Associated Grounds
All Administrative and Academic Offices, Physical Facilities Division, Engineering and Maintenance Unit, and Relevant University Personnel
In adherence to the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and in line with our continuing commitment to responsible environmental stewardship, this memorandum affirms the Universidad de Manila’s compliance with sustainable water extraction practices within its campus and all affiliated grounds.
Purpose
This directive ensures that all activities involving the extraction of water from natural sources (e.g., aquifers, rivers, lakes, and rainwater harvesting systems) within UDM premises and off-campus satellite facilities adopt sustainable technologies and management protocols that safeguard long-term water availability and ecosystem health.
Scope and Coverage
Universidad De Manila is committed to fostering an environment where all scholars have the freedom to engage in research, teaching, and public discourse without interference. This policy supports and protects the right of faculty, researchers, and academic staff to:
Choose areas of research based on their expertise, intellectual curiosity, and societal relevance.
Pursue and publish their findings independently and without external pressures.
Share, teach, and discuss their research openly with students, peers, and the broader community.
Guidelines for Compliance
All units involved in infrastructure development, research, or facilities management must observe the following:
- Assessment and Registration: All non-municipal water sources must be registered with the Office of the Physical Facilities and Maintenance Services (PFMS) and assessed for sustainability by the Engineering and Maintenance Unit.
- Use of Sustainable Technology: Only water extraction systems that comply with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and National Water Resources Board (NWRB) standards shall be installed. Technologies must promote minimal environmental disruption and efficient water use.
- Monitoring and Audit: Flow meters and monitoring tools must be installed in all extraction sites to ensure transparency in volume tracking. Monthly usage reports shall be submitted to the PFMS.
- Extraction Limitations: Extraction must remain within sustainable limits determined by hydrological assessments to avoid depletion of aquifers or degradation of local ecosystems.
- Training and Capacity Building: Personnel involved in the design, installation, and operation of water extraction systems must undergo annual training on sustainable water management practices.
Research and Innovation: Academic units are encouraged to propose research that promotes innovations in water recycling, aquifer recharge, or community water stewardship, and may apply for internal sustainability grants.
Off-Campus Compliance
For UDM-managed research sites or outreach facilities located outside the main campus, the same standards and reporting protocols shall apply. Field coordinators must submit compliance reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Enforcement and Penalties
Failure to comply with these standards may result in administrative sanctions, revocation of water extraction privileges, or suspension of project activities until compliance is met.
Effectivity
This memorandum takes immediate effect. All concerned offices are expected to review existing water use operations and align them with the aforementioned guidelines within thirty (30) days from issuance.
Let us work collectively in protecting our shared water resources while fostering a culture of sustainability in all university operations.
For compliance and widest dissemination.