14.2.1 : Water discharge guidelines and standards
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) actively reinforces its commitment to Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards by engaging in high-impact public education and practical application of sustainable water treatment technologies. This is evidenced by the university's central role in the Odyssey Buddies Jamboree 2024, which featured a core session dedicated to "Treating Polluted River Water."
This initiative, led by UTM faculty and in collaboration with EM Research Organization (EMRO) Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., directly addresses the necessity of upholding water quality to protect ecosystems and human health. The program’s impact lies in its dual focus:
- Promoting Sustainable Water Quality Solutions: The educational focus centered on emerging, sustainable, and eco-friendly technologies, specifically the use of Effective Microorganisms (EM) and EM mudballs, as alternatives to conventional, high-energy methods. EM is taught to purify water by removing heavy metals, organic compounds, and pathogens through adsorption and biodegradation, aligning directly with the goal of achieving and maintaining strict water quality standards.
- Practical Application and Community Engagement: Over 60 participants engaged in a hands-on workshop to create more than 600 EM mudballs. This practical exercise served as a powerful tool to foster environmental awareness and empower the next generation of professionals to actively contribute to sustainable practices, effectively extending the university's technical expertise into the community.
By demonstrating and educating participants on viable, low-cost methods for treating polluted river water before it is discharged further downstream, UTM is proactively promoting compliance with environmental regulations and the ethical water quality standards and guidelines necessary to protect aquatic life and human welfare.
Source :
https://news.utm.my/2024/09/treating-polluted-river-water-at-odyssey-buddies-jamboree-2024/
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) maintains rigorous Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards to safeguard ecosystems, wildlife, and human health, managed and enforced by its Environmental Section within the Office of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE). This commitment is embedded in its operational structure, which explicitly integrates compliance with national legislation and continuous monitoring.
The impact of this policy is demonstrated by:
Legal Compliance and Governance: The Environmental Section's core mandate is to ensure UTM's activities across its campuses (Johor Bahru, Pagoh, and Kuala Lumpur) adhere strictly to the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 (Act 127) and associated regulations, particularly the Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations 2009. These regulations provide the mandatory water quality standards and guidelines that UTM's water discharges must meet before being released into inland waters, directly protecting aquatic life.
Continuous Monitoring and Inspection: The OSHE Environmental Section implements a scheduled and systematic activity: Water Quality Monitoring (Monthly). This ongoing, high-frequency monitoring ensures that all discharges, including those from its Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), consistently meet the required discharge standards. This proactive measure prevents the physical, chemical, and biological alteration of aquatic ecosystems within and downstream of the campus.
Technical Expertise and Accountability: The Environmental Section is supported by the UTM Environmental Technical Management Committee (JKPTAS), which is composed of trained and competent staff from various departments. This committee plays a crucial role in identifying environmental legislation, planning staff competency, and investigating all pollution and environmental incidents, thereby establishing a clear chain of accountability and the technical capacity necessary to uphold stringent water discharge standards.
By integrating compliance, continuous monitoring, and specialized technical management, UTM ensures that its operations do not compromise water quality, thereby fulfilling its responsibility to protect public health and the surrounding aquatic environment.
Source:
https://dvcdev.utm.my/oshe/environmental-unit/
