Water Conservation
- Targets
- Key activities undertaken
- 2013 Key actions
- Water Efficient Taps and Fittings
- Showerhead Exchange Program
The Water Conservation program at Deakin University aims to reduce our water consumption by continually measuring, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing water use to identify key areas for improvement. In addition, it aims to achieve best practice stormwater management and prevention of pollution to waterways, including the integration of Water Sensitive Urban Design into all new projects.
Targets
To reduce potable water consumption levels by 10% by 2012 (compared to 2009 baseline).
NOTE: Targets are currently under review
Key activities undertaken
- Detailed water audits at each Campus.
- Implement water audit recommendations such as installation of dual flush toilets, water efficient urinals, taps and showerheads in key areas across all campuses
- Install the 400,000 litre underground tank to capture rain water under Union Green at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus for toilet flushing.
- Install data loggers for the continued monitoring of water consumption levels
- Install a 600,000 litre underground tank to capture rain water from buildings la and lb at Elgar Road at the Melbourne Burwood Campus to flush building toilets and irrigate land. For more information download the underground tank fact sheet (3 MB).
- Developed storm water management plan for the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
2013 Key actions
Installation and commissioning of drink stations in key locations at all campuses to reduce bottled water consumption.
Promote the “Be Smart Choose Tap” campaign to encourage staff and students to refill drink bottles.
Provide guidance and advice for incorporating WSUD into new developments.
Above is the external drink station located at Union Green and an internal drink station located in bldg. db gymnasium.
Locate other drink station on the Geelong Waurn Ponds campus (2 MB)
Find the Melbourne Burwood campus drink station locations (3 MB) and find the Warrnambool campus drink station locations (3 MB).
Water Efficient Taps and Fittings
Water audits conducted at the Melbourne Burwood Campus recommended an upgrade to 5 and 6 star taps and fittings in all buildings. In general a tap with 3 or less stars uses between 7-12 litres per minute and the recommended5 and 6 star fittings reduce this to 3-5 litres per minute.. The upgrades were completed in January 2011with expected savings of approximately 1.6 million litres of water per year. Tap fittings are easily recognised by the custom-designed Deakin artwork.
To learn more about water efficient products and services visit www.waterrating.gov.au
Showerhead Exchange Program
A typical showerhead uses between 15–20 litres of water per minute. Water-saving showerheads use only 9 litres per minute; saving up to 11 litres of water per minute.
Deakin University in partnership with local water authorities’ participated in the ‘Showerhead Exchange Program’ exchanging 387 old inefficient showerheads saving an estimated 4644 KL of water per year and best of all, participation in the Showerhead Exchange Program is FREE.
The Showerhead Exchange Program is available to households contact your local water authority to participate visit this web site to find out more http://www.water.vic.gov.au/saving/home/showerhead-exchange-program
