6.3.4 Rainwater Harvesting System at UniMAP

Supporting Sustainable Water Management

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) supports national initiatives toward sustainable water management through the implementation of a Rainwater Harvesting System across its campuses.

This initiative aligns with the government’s proposal — under the National Council for Local Government — to make rainwater harvesting compulsory for new large buildings as part of environmentally conscious construction practices.

(Evidence 1: Water-conscious building standards JKR Standard Specification Page 249–253, Rainwater Goods, Rainwater Harvesting System & Testing and Commissioning)

Purpose and Function of the System

The Rainwater Harvesting System (RHS) collects and stores rainwater from building rooftops for non-potable uses, including:

General cleaning and washing

Landscape irrigation

Toilet flushing

By reusing rainwater for these purposes, UniMAP effectively reduces its dependence on treated water supply and supports efficient water resource management on campus.

Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting

The system provides several key benefits to UniMAP:

Reduces demand on water supply from local concessionaires.

Provides an alternative water source during supply interruptions.

Minimizes the risk of flash floods by controlling surface water runoff.

(Rainwater Harvesting Tank Picture – Page 1–3, Evidence 2: Rainwater Harvesting Tank Photo)

Compliance with Local Water Regulations

The implementation of UniMAP’s rainwater harvesting initiative also complies with the Akta Jalan, Parit dan Bangunan 1974 and the Undang-Undang Kecil Bangunan Seragam (Negeri Perlis) (Pindaan) 2012,

which emphasize water-conscious building standards and sustainable infrastructure practices.

(Evidence 2: Rainwater Harvesting Tank Photo Page 4–6)

Supporting Documents

Rainwater Goods, Harvesting System & Commissioning Report (Pg. 249–253, Evidence 1: Water-conscious building standards JKR Standard Specification)

Rainwater Harvesting Tank Photo Report (Pg. 1–3, Evidence 2: Rainwater Harvesting Tank Photo)

Local Building Regulations:

  • Akta Jalan, Parit dan Bangunan 1974
  • Undang-Undang Kecil Bangunan Seragam (Negeri Perlis) (Pindaan) 2012
(Pg. 4–6, Evidence 2: Rainwater Harvesting Tank Photo)

Through the installation of rainwater harvesting systems and adherence to national and local regulations, UniMAP continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable water conservation and environmentally responsible infrastructure design.

This initiative directly supports SDG Target 6.3, which focuses on improving water quality, increasing water reuse, and promoting sustainable water management practices.


(More info: Evidence 1: Water-conscious building standards JKR Standard Specification, Evidence 2: Rainwater Harvesting Tank Photo)