Water

Conservation of water and energy is being environmentally responsible.
Water is a vital resource and conservation or efficiency at the consumer level will reduce water wastage and production costs.

Energy is used to extract the water, to treat it, to pump it to the customer and then remove, treat and dispose of the wastewater.

By reducing the demand for both water and wastewater, the water utilities and corporations can save through a lowering of provision costs. UWA has a number of pumping stations to remove wastewater from the campus and is also charged for the wastewater disposal.

Therefore, increasing the level of water efficiency, the utility and organisations have the potential to save money. This saving is then available to be invested by the utility for the benefit of all its customers.

Savings at the University means money can be redirected into other projects.

Conservation Tips

• Take individual responsibility for your use of the resource.
• Report any dripping taps, leaking equipment, running cisterns etc, to Facilities Management immediately.
• Turn off urns when not required for long periods of time such as over the weekend.
• Use half flushes in toilets when possible.
• Turn off air conditioners when not in use.
• Try alternative room cooling techniques to reduce the use of air conditioners.
• Wash cups and dishes in numbers using a sink half full of water rather than using running water to wash up individual items.

Conservation in Laboratories

UWA will conserve water in laboratories by:

• Promoting the use of tap water for washing equipment rather than purified water;
• Collecting water for reuse;
• Installing distillation, reverse osmosis or deionisation units which are efficient and suit the needs of the laboratory;
• Turning off all water using equipment when not in use;
• Using recycled tap water to cool stills; and
• Reducing the use of venturi vacuum pumps on taps by using portable vacuum pumps.

Conservation on Grounds

UWA will conserve waster on its Grounds by:

• Using groundwater where ever possible;
• Checking sprinklers and reticulation services regularly;
• Planting native vegetation;
• Using mulch and ground cover;
• Planting leafy vegetation to protect other plants; and
• Strategic placement of sprinklers.

Water Efficiency

UWA will practice water efficiency by:

• Promoting water conservation;
• Progressively reducing of percapita consumption;
• Raising awareness of the environmental impacts of water use; and
• Providing guidelines for the use of water.

Water scarcity is not just an issue for the University, Perth or Australia: it's a global issue. The United Nations Environment Protection Report states that: 'If present trend of water use continues, by 2025, two thirds of the world's population will live in water stressed areas'

UWA 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.

Effective management must consider a number of strategies to attain maximum water conservation in the following areas:

• Past applications and existing hydraulics/mechanics infrastructure;
• Present plumbing applications and operations; and
• Future hydraulic system development to meet the needs of the University while establishing water efficiency best management practices.