The redirect
Policy Statement
UNSW will pursue maximum efficiency in the management of water, by conserving water use and disposal, monitoring and reporting, and promoting staff and student awareness of water issues on campus.
Key Objectives
The objectives of this policy are to:
- promote water conservation and progressively reduce per capita consumption,
- raise awareness of the environmental impact of water waste,
- provide guidelines for the use of water and
- provide emergency guidelines for water use in times of drought.
Framework
Water scarcity is not just an issue for the University, Sydney or Australia; it’s a global issue. “If the present trend continues, by 2025, two thirds of the world’s population will live in water stressed areas” United Nations Environment Protection Report
UNSW recognises the strategic importance of enhancing the environmental quality of the University's activities and providing leadership in an area that is of major concern to the community.
Water supply and use at UNSW
UNSW enjoys two good main sources of water. Sydney Water supplies about 60% of the University’s requirements in the form of ‘town water’, which is ‘potable’ or drinkable. The balance of its supply is bore water, which is drawn by pumps from the Botany Basin Aquifer, an extensive natural basin running from near Centennial Park to Botany Bay.
On Kensington campus, bore water supplies approximately 90% of irrigation requirements, 20% of toilet flushing and 5% of industrial/commercial processes. Only bore water is used for irrigation at David Phillips fields, and water from a natural dam meets the needs of the football grounds at Little Bay.
The capture and use of rainwater, and the application of appropriate recycling systems will be encouraged.
Water conservation opportunities
In 2001 the University consumed 430 million litres of town water and 300 million litres of bore water.
Experience in other Universities indicates that up to 25% of that consumption is wasted through leaking taps or pipes, inefficient systems, carelessness or mismanagement. The application of the following measures will help the University reduce its costs and significantly improve its environmental scorecard.
General
- Even though bore water is sourced at a significantly lower cost than town water, maximum efficiency must be applied to its use. (Bore water is not an inexhaustible supply, and in times of severe drought, could be used for drinking.)
- Bore water should be used as a substitute for town water where it is cost-effective to distribute.
- The use of water in all new buildings and refurbishments shall adhere to the principles of ESD (Ecologically Sustainable Development).
- Existing, new or emerging water saving or water treatment technologies should be applied if they are shown to meet ESD principles and are cost effective.
- Water audits and benchmarking with equivalent facilities will be used to improve water management and conservation at UNSW.
- The supply and management of metering infrastructure is the responsibility of the University, through the Energy Management Unit.
Irrigation and landscape management
- Full compliance with any government water restriction measure shall be applied.
- Where a campus has been provided with an alternative water supply, town water shall not be used for irrigation without a written exemption from the energy manager.
- A trailer or truck mounted bore water tank should be used for special purpose daytime watering e.g. newly established garden areas.
- Systems using town water shall be automatically controlled with moisture sensors.
- No irrigation shall be carried out in daylight hours unless specifically approved by the UNSW Curator.
- Timers shall control all irrigation systems regardless of size.
- All irrigation systems serving an area greater than 100 square metres shall be controlled by a timer in conjunction with rain or soil moisture sensors.
- Water delivery of each irrigation system shall be kept to the minimum requirement.
- Compost and woodchip mulch shall be appropriately used for all gardens to minimise water loss.
- Criteria for selection of tree species and garden beds shall include a low demand for water.
Water restrictions
During periods of government announced water restrictions, the following additional measures shall apply.
1. No washing of vehicles.
2. Shut down all equipment that uses water for non-critical needs.
3. Landscaping projects should be deferred where possible.
4. Fountains are to be switched off.
5. Only sufficient water shall be used to keep plants and ‘group 3’ lawns alive.
6. No hosing down paved areas
Amenities
- Where possible, alternative water sources (greywater, rainwater and bore water) should be used for toilet and urinal flushing.
- Only fittings with National Rating AAA (3A) efficiency or above shall be used in new and refurbished facilities.
- Dual flush toilets will be installed to replace single flush toilets in the event of any refurbishment or cistern replacement.
Process equipment and air-conditioning
- Where possible, reverse osmosis reject water, condensate and other suitable wastewater should be recycled.
- Maintenance regimes shall be structured to ensure that cooling towers operate efficiently.
- Cooling towers should only be operated when a building is in use.
- Where process cooling is required, closed loop water systems shall be used in preference to open systems.
- Work practices shall be encouraged in laboratories and related facilities to minimise wastage of water.
- Centralised vacuum systems shall be installed in any new building or major refurbishment where teaching and research activities require extensive use of vacuum.
- Where retrofitting of a centralised vacuum system is impractical, electric diaphragm pumps shall be used to replace water-based aspirators.
Construction activities
- Mechanisms will be established to ensure water conservation objectives are considered in all refurbishment and construction projects.
- Town water shall not be used on Kensington campus for any of the following activities;
1. Washing tools, vehicles or equipment
2. Curing concrete
3. Pipe testing
4. Backfill compaction
5. Pavement washing
6. Dust suppression
- Water supplied to major building sites will be metered and charged to the project.
Fountains
- Fountains should only operate in daylight hours and shall be fed only with bore or other alternative water source.
Equipment and car washing
- No town water shall be used on campus to wash vehicles or other equipment.
Education and awareness
- Zone, operational and other maintenance staff and contractors are critical to the effectiveness of this policy. Adequate training must be provided to ensure they are familiar with this policy, current practice and emerging technologies.
- Monthly water consumption figures and specific benchmarks for major buildings and zones will be published on the University web site ( www.energy.unsw.edu.au ), and hard copies distributed to management and operational staff.
- During periods of water restrictions, daily readings of water consumption against the University consumption target, will be posted on the energy website, and circulated via email to Zone Managers.
- Staff and students will be encouraged to report water waste though the “ Spot it & Stop it” website facility.
- Integration of water management issues with the University’s teaching and research programs and involvement of academic staff and students in contributing to the growth of knowledge in this area is regarded as a core element of this policy.
Funding
- Working within the allocated annual water budget, savings made in one year are transferred into a special account to fund further water conservation projects in subsequent years.
- Commercial enterprises and budget units that derive an income or are ‘self funding’ are responsible to meet the cost of water and energy delivery.
Further Information
Contact UNSW Energy Manager Robert Grimmett on ext 3873, or Grounds Curator Mark Spence on ext 4993.
Feedback
Comments on this policy are welcome. Contact Alan Egan Manager Campus Services on ext 4347.
UNSW Facilities
12 December 2002