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Water Usage

Overview

Water consumption programs implemented since 2002 have significantly reduced our annual consumption of potable water, reducing our reliance on the ailing River Murray. As such, UniSA uses three principal sources of water:

  • Mains water (86% of consumption)
  • Recycled water (13% of consumption) - Class A treated water for non-potables use within buildings and irrigated areas
  • Harvested water (1% of consumption)

All campuses are connected to mains water, supplied by SA Water. The majority of UniSA’s recycled water consumption is for irrigation, with the majority of this is at Mawson Lakes campus - UniSA’s largest campus by site area (63 Ha).

Year to Year Consumption of Water

water graph 2023.jpg

Management Strategies

UniSA’s two principal water management strategies are:

  • Supply side – substituting potable water for recycled water.
  • Demand side – using less water, aided by implementing water efficient technologies.

Mawson Lakes Campus is connected to two sources of recycled water - SA Water’s Mawson Lakes Recycled Water Scheme and the City of Salisbury’s reWater Scheme.

SA Water’s Scheme supplies recycled water to a ring main around the western portion of the campus.  The water is used for irrigation purposes and is connected to all new buildings with toilets pre-plumbed for recycled water.

In 2009 UniSA also connected to the City of Salisbury (COS) reWater scheme with this supply used for irrigating the Mawson Lakes Golf Course and ovals.

UniSA has investigated connecting its new buildings at City West to GAP Water (Glenelg to Adelaide Parklands Recycled Water) , but the cost of connecting to the main line has proven to be prohibitive.

Over the period 2010-2012, the majority of aging high flow water fixtures were replaced with water efficient fixtures.

During 2021-2022 UniSA began converting it's water meters to smart meters to assist in proactively identifying water usage opportunities.

Benchmarking

Water consumption figures below include both potable and recycled water.

TEFMA water graph 2023.jpg

GFA = Gross Floor Area

*Source: Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association Benchmarking Data

Observations

UniSA’s increase in water consumption over the period 2018-2019 is related to two primary factors:

  • The construction of Pridham Hall and Bradley Buildings which are both water intensive buildings.
  • There have been several significant water leaks over the period.

Potable water consumption in 2020 did reduce by 6%.

 

Total water consumption was significantly reduced in 2022 as a result of the:

  • Resolution of major leaks within the Bradley building
  • Closure of the Magill pool
  • Reduction in water utilised for irrigation due to a change in weather patterns

Please contact us if you would like more information on individual campus or building water consumption.

 

What can I do to help?

Report faults including leaks ASAP via the Maintenance Request online tool.