Clean Water and Sanitation
About SDG 6
Access to safe, clean water and adequate sanitation is fundamental to health, dignity, productivity and sustainable development. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
In Botswana, the National Development Plan 12 embeds this commitment by emphasizing the Sustainable Environment Sector, prioritising infrastructure for safe drinking water and sanitation, modern water-management systems, and robust monitoring mechanisms.
At BIUST, the Transformative Strategy 2023-2028 positions the university as a vital contributor to this national agenda: through interdisciplinary research, innovation in water and sanitation technologies, and strong cross-sector partnerships, BIUST is committed to advancing equitable access to clean water, improving hygiene practices, and developing resilient infrastructure. For example, BIUST’s involvement in the CO-CO WASH (Co-creation of a Community-based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Model) project reflects this commitment: the project engages peri-urban communities and youth to co-develop sustainable WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) solutions. BIUST+2Washcentre+2 BIUST’s Water & Solid Waste Treatment & Management research group further supports the agenda by developing purification technologies, monitoring systems and circular-economy approaches to water and sanitation. BIUST Through aligning institutional strategy with the national plan and through active research partnerships, BIUST is helping translate SDG 6 aspirations into tangible action across Botswana’s knowledge-based economy.
BIUST's Commitment to SDG 6
Key initiatives and highlights:
- CO-CO WASH Project: BIUST hosted a multi-stakeholder workshop in October 2025 under this Africa–Japan collaborative research programme to address WASH service delivery in peri-urban communities of Francistown. BIUST+1
- Research group focus: The BIUST research group “Water and Solid Waste Treatment & Management” works on water quality monitoring, purification, reuse and sustainable sanitation models. BIUST
- Community engagement and youth participation: The CO-CO WASH project emphasizes co-creation with children and youth as co-researchers in peri-urban settings, promoting local ownership of water/sanitation solutions. Washcentre
- Partnerships and capacity building: Through the Directorate of Outreach & Engagement, BIUST collaborates with government entities, local communities, international universities and industry to drive WASH research and development.
- Policy- and infrastructure-oriented research: BIUST’s work dovetails with national efforts to upgrade sanitation in villages and towns, improve water supply volumes, and implement smart water-management systems as outlined in NDP 12.
Alignment of BIUST Transformative Strategy 2023–2028 and NDP 12 with SDG 17
- NDP 12: Emphasises “getting the basics right” by increasing access to drinking water and upgrading sanitation systems in Botswana.
- BIUST Contribution: Through its applied research and community engagement, BIUST supports the development of innovative sanitation technologies, pilot infrastructure models, and outreach programs that enhance access, especially in remote or peri-urban areas.
- NDP 12: Promotes digitalisation and smart systems for water conservation and productivity (especially agriculture).
- BIUST Contribution: The Innovation Hub and the “Water and Solid Waste Treatment & Management” research group develop and test digital monitoring, reuse systems and low-cost sanitation technologies aligned with this goal.
- NDP 12: Sets up rigorous monitoring frameworks to track water supply deficits, sanitation upgrades, and other indicators.
- BIUST Contribution: By generating research data, collaborating on stakeholder workshops (e.g., CO-CO WASH workshop) and partnering with government, BIUST enhances the evidence base and supports data-driven decision making.
- NDP 12: Underlines inclusive approaches (‘all-of-government’, ‘all-of-society’) and multi-stakeholder investment in water and sanitation.
- BIUST Contribution: BIUST’s partnerships with international research consortia, government ministries, industry and communities exemplify this inclusive model, facilitating resource mobilisation, knowledge sharing and capacity building.
- NDP 12: Builds on existing laws and policies (such as the Water Act (1967) and the Botswana National Water Policy 2012) to ensure responsible management of water and sanitation. water.gov.bw+1
- BIUST Contribution: BIUST supports alignment between academic research and regulatory frameworks, through training, policy advice and collaborations with the Water Utilities Corporation and other stakeholders.
BIUST stands at the intersection of education, research and national development. Through its transformative strategy, the university is prepared to play a leading role in achieving SDG 6 in Botswana, by advancing equitable access to water and sanitation, generating innovative solutions, supporting data-driven policymaking and forging partnerships across sectors. In doing so, BIUST contributes not only to improved health, resilience and human dignity but also to Botswana’s Vision 2036, Agenda 2063 and the global agenda of sustainable development.