Recognizing the essential importance of sustainable water resources management and wastewater treatment in protecting the urban environment, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has invested in and operated a modern centralized wastewater treatment system. This system ensures that all domestic wastewater generated from the university’s learning, teaching, and administrative activities, involving thousands of students, lecturers, and staff members, is treated to meet national environmental and water quality standards before being discharged. This initiative demonstrates UEH’s strong commitment to sustainable water management, pollution reduction, and the protection of urban water ecosystems, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) under the THE Impact Rankings framework.

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is one of the large-scale higher education institutions in Vietnam, with thousands of students, faculty members, and staff studying and working on campus every day, generating a considerable amount of domestic wastewater. To minimize negative environmental impacts and promote responsible wastewater resources management, UEH has implemented a centralized wastewater treatment system with a designed capacity of 550 m³ per day and night. The system strictly complies with QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT – Column B, the Vietnamese national technical regulation on domestic wastewater, ensuring that all treated effluent meets required environmental and water quality standards before being discharged into the urban environment.

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The analysis of treated wastewater quality indicates that the wastewater treatment system operates efficiently, with key environmental and water quality indicators meeting or significantly exceeding national standards. Specifically, the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) level was initially 150 mg/l, while the regulatory limit is below 100 mg/l; however, UEH’s treatment system reduced it to 40 mg/l, representing a 60% reduction compared with the allowable threshold. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) decreased from 250 mg/l to 20 mg/l, achieving a treatment efficiency of 92%. The Ammonium (N–NH₄⁺) concentration dropped from 20 mg/l to 5 mg/l, and the Coliform count — an indicator of contamination and pathogenic microorganisms — was reduced from 8,000 to 3,000 MPN/100 ml, which is well below the QCVN limit of 5,000 MPN/100 ml. These results demonstrate UEH’s effective wastewater quality control, sanitation management, and commitment to pollution reduction and sustainable water management. 

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To achieve high and stable wastewater treatment efficiency, UEH has invested in an AO (Anoxic–Oxic) wastewater treatment technology, which integrates anoxic and aerobic biological processes through two main stages:

+ Stage 1 – Biological Treatment: Wastewater is biologically decomposed under anoxic and aerobic conditions to effectively remove organic compounds, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

+ Stage 2 – Sedimentation and Disinfection: Suspended solids are separated, and pathogenic microorganisms are disinfected before the treated water is safely discharged into the urban drainage system.

According to the technical calculations in the design documentation, the treatment efficiency reaches BOD₅: 92% and TSS: 73.3%, demonstrating stable, safe, and cost-effective operation. The system causes no secondary pollution, is easy to maintain, and fully complies with national discharge and water quality standards.

Through its investment in and operation of a wastewater treatment system in full compliance with national standards, UEH has clearly demonstrated its orientation toward sustainable development integrated with environmental protection. This initiative contributes to reducing water pollution, improving the quality of the living environment, and promoting the image of “UEH – A Green, Modern, and Socially Responsible University.”

Open related links:

1. 2008 – QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT National Technical Regulation on Domestic Wastewater – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-mk4oIWCZfEuGm-xifzQFGD5jFkqANJE/view?usp=sharing 

2. DESIGN DESCRIPTION of construction works and supply and installation of wastewater treatment plant equipment –  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wvKYZY54b9uWyJsLx2k5_g_UlWb-o07e/view?usp=sharing