Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation.

Research and impact

The University advances SDG 6 through interdisciplinary, high-impact research supporting safe water, sanitation, and resilient ecosystems (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.b). In December 2024, Liverpool co-launched the £2.4 million CONVERSE project with NERC and UKRI. This community-led initiative in Merseyside and Cheshire co-designs nature-based solutions, including leaky dams, wetlands, and tree planting, to reduce flood risk and improve water quality. Reaching thousands of households, CONVERSE provides a scalable model for locally governed water resilience (6.b). In 2025, University scientists published Diversity of Salmonella enterica isolates from urban river and sewage water in Blantyre, Malawi, identifying transmission pathways critical to sanitation interventions and waterborne disease reduction (6.1, 6.2). A PhD-led collaboration with National Tsing Hua University is developing advanced porous microspheres for the removal of PFAS “forever chemicals” from drinking water, addressing emerging contaminants and advancing Target 6.3. Liverpool researchers also contributed to a £304,000 DEFRA-funded project assessing climate-driven risks to estuarine water quality (6.1, 6.3, 6.b) and co-developed new hydrodynamic-statistical models for compound flood thresholds in English estuaries, enhancing predictive tools for flood risk management (6.1, 6.b).

Education and student experience

The University embeds SDG 6 in its teaching and student learning through curriculum, hands-on projects, and peer-led initiatives (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.b). The Sustainable Water Engineering module within the MEng Civil and Environmental Engineering programme teaches urban drainage, wastewater systems, and flood routing through real-world problem-based learning (6.1, 6.2, 6.3). The Environmental Science BSc (Hons) provides field and lab training in water sampling, pollution analysis, and ecosystem monitoring, while the MSc in Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability in Architecture equips students to design water-efficient, climate-resilient infrastructure (6.1, 6.3). A standout 2025 project at Ness Botanic Gardens allows students to co-design a rainwater harvesting system, enabling sustainable water use and infrastructure innovation (6.3, 6.b). Complementing this, the Student Sustainability Network supports peer-led campaigns on water conservation and plastic reduction (6.b).

Sustainable campus and operations

The University supports SDG 6 through sustainable water management, inclusive sanitation access, and infrastructure innovation (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.b). In 2025, we maintained campus-wide water efficiency using automated monitoring to allow targeted internal site audits helping to reduce water consumption and reinvesting savings into WaterAid’s global clean water projects through our water retailer contract (6.1). Free drinking water stations are available in all buildings and public spaces, with locations mapped on the Refill app, and behaviour change campaigns such as Bottle Up and the reusable cup scheme reduce reliance on bottled water and single-use plastics (6.3). New developments aim to achieve BREEAM Excellent standards, incorporating features such as low-flow fittings, leak detection systems, rainwater harvesting and green roofs where feasible, all of which are recognised within BREEAM as contributing to higher performance in water efficiency, ecology and sustainable design (6.3). Living Lab projects, such as the 2025 rainwater harvesting trial at Ness Botanic Gardens, further integrate operational sustainability with student-led innovation (6.3, 6.b). Sanitation access continues to expand through inclusive policies. Our free period product programme with Hey! improves equity of provision, while refurbishment programmes extend gender-neutral and accessible toilets across campus, supporting universal and safe sanitation (6.2).

Case studies

Innovative partnerships advancing water, health and sustainability

In 2025, the University of Liverpool secured two new Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and an Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) project valued at £600,000, showcasing its role in applying academic expertise to real-world sustainability challenges. These collaborations advance SDG 6 by improving water safety, sanitation, and pollution reduction, directly supporting (6.1), (6.3) and (6.b).

The first KTP, with UK firm Feedwater Limited, is developing antimicrobial nanomaterial additives to prevent biofilm formation in hospital water systems and cooling towers. By reducing reliance on high-temperature water and chemical biocides, the project enhances microbial water safety in healthcare environments while improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions (6.1), (6.3).

A second KTP, led by Professors George Oikonomou and Robert Smith with AI company CattleEye Limited, uses a cloud-based platform to detect lameness in dairy cattle. By enabling timely health interventions, the technology promotes sustainable farming practices and reduces risks of water contamination from livestock systems (6.3).

The AKT programme with AW Hainsworth, a historic British woollen mill, applies blockchain-enabled tracer technologies to improve textile supply chain transparency. By reducing waste and supporting sustainable production, the initiative indirectly contributes to pollution reduction and more efficient water use in textile manufacturing (6.3).

Together, these partnerships demonstrate Liverpool’s leadership in knowledge transfer for sustainability. They highlight how research-driven innovation with industry can deliver practical solutions that enhance water quality, animal health, and sustainable industrial practices, while supporting community and ecosystem resilience (6.b).

Improving sustainable water management

The School of Architecture at the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with Lancaster University and Manchester Metropolitan University, successfully secured £250,000 in AHRC funding for their pioneering project, Waterborne: The Heritage, Culture, and Environment of UK Reservoirs. This project aims to deepen the understanding of UK reservoirs through three interconnected PhD research studies that will explore the intersections of design, policy, community memory, and the heritage of water infrastructure. Drawing on multidisciplinary arts and humanities methods, Waterborne investigates both the tangible and intangible heritage aspects of reservoirs, while also addressing pressing concerns about water security and cleanliness. The project aligns with the recent National Policy Statement on water infrastructure, underscoring the importance of sustainable water management in the context of evolving environmental challenges.

Improving sanitation in informal settlements

Researchers from the University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture have pioneered innovative solutions to improve sanitation in informal settlements, focusing on low-cost, sustainable septic systems designed to mitigate waterborne disease risks. Collaborating with BRAC University and the Centre for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism (Ci+AU), they conducted an ODA-funded project in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This project, titled Improving Sanitation Safety Through Soft Engineering Design Solutions, addressed the sanitation challenges in Karail’s informal settlement and the surrounding Banani Lake pollution. The research team closely analyzed toilet usage and resident mobility across mapped alleys, gaining insights crucial for designing locally viable sanitation solutions. In a further development, the researchers launched a new initiative to build a prototype of a communal solar-heated septic tank at a public school in Bhashantek. This system combines solar power with air-source heat pump technology to disinfect human waste, producing fertilizer as a byproduct. This innovative, net-zero system aims to provide a sustainable and scalable sanitation solution, with plans for adaptation across other informal settlements and schools in ODA-listed countries, supporting public health while utilizing renewable energy sources.

Rapid, low-cost water quality assessment for all

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have made significant strides in developing accessible, low-cost water quality assessment tools to tackle pressing global water security issues. Recognising the vast need for safe drinking water, highlighted by the 2.2 billion people who lacked access to safely managed drinking water in 2022, Liverpool's research team is addressing these challenges by creating rapid, real-time testing technologies essential for both developed and developing regions. Traditional pathogen detection methods, which can take over 30 hours, are often impractical for immediate public health needs, especially in resource-limited areas where delays can exacerbate waterborne disease risks. To provide a solution, Liverpool’s researchers designed the Mono Fluor, a portable optical instrument that uses fluorescence spectroscopy to assess water quality instantly. By detecting markers for microbial contamination and organic matter, the tool offers quick, reliable results without the need for extensive sample processing, making it ideal for use in settings from urban utilities to rural communities. Mono Fluor’s compact design and ease of use empower local communities by allowing non-experts to perform water testing, fostering greater public health independence and response capability. Future plans involve refining the device for broader use in utility monitoring in developed regions and adapting it for emergency response in areas with poor sanitation, with the ultimate goal of preventing outbreaks of diseases linked to unsafe water.