USU has constructed ponds/reservoirs to conserve water on campus. These are located beside USU's central library, in front of the main building of the Faculty of Agriculture, around the Civil Engineering Department Building, the Faculty of Engineering, the Tambunan A Experimental Garden, and the Kuala Bekala Campus. USU has also built biopore holes and infiltration wells on the Padang Bulan Campus.

USU Pond in Padang Bulan

Universitas Sumatera Utara uses recycled water from the Wastewater Treatment Plant at the University Hospital. Water from this plant can be used for a non-drinking purpose. USU has also built rainwater harvesters to utilize rainwater for watering plants and washing vehicles.  In addition to the existing rainwater harvesting installation, the 2019 activity budget plan allocated funds for the construction of additional rainwater harvesting installations in several buildings in the Padang Bulan campus, which is currently in process.

Rainwater harvesting in the Padang Bulan USU Campus

Water-saving equipment (high-efficiency toilet sprinklers) in USU campuses have been installed, mainly in new and renovated buildings. This has increased water usage efficiency by around 45%. USU has also used sensor-based water appliances and efficient automatic water use for plant management in the Padang Bulan Campus.

Water-saving equipment