Buildings and Grounds Division

Water harvesting - Bendigo campus

Purpose

Bendigo has been in a drought for over ten years and water conservation is one of the hottest topics around. La Trobe University’s Buildings and Grounds Division in Bendigo has been exploring different ideas of water savings; taking into account capital cost and labour (Dry urinals, bore water, connection to recycled water pipeline and water carting from the local reservoir's stand pipe). In looking at our needs and current infrastructure, water harvesting using above ground tanks appeared to be the way to go. Once this project is complete we will be able to produce reports showing the financial benefits.

Reason for the project

There are two reasons for water harvesting at Bendigo campus.

1. To be water conscious and be able to show the true cost associated with setting up water harvesting. This will be done by electronic monitoring of water usage and power consumption of pumps for flushing of toilets in our two main buildings. This information will help in determining the scope of toilet amenities in the future.
2. Water is an instrumental part in the landscaping beautification program being undertaken at the Bendigo campus.

Funding

Minor works 2008-2009 - $90,000.

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Work Details

There are two banks of three tanks (136,000Ltr storage capacity) connected via a 32mm gravity feed line on a ball float system. The first set of tanks is located in between the Library Student Union and Graphics. The second set is located beside the Education Building, concealed behind a brush finished screen. 

Water in the Education tanks can be transferred to the lower set of tanks near the Library Union via the 32mm line. To keep the cost to a minimum, this line was run through the existing storm water system.  Water from this system is delivered to the flush-o-meter header tanks in the Arts and Library Union Buildings via two dedicated Grundfos pumps.

The BAS (Building Automation System) monitors water levels, records usage data and changes between town water and harvested water automatically. If inadequate water levels in the Harvest storage tank are detected, the BAS will then transfer back to mains water.    

Construction Period

Works started in November of 2008 with the preparation and installation of tanks. Over the next four months plumbing reticulation has been installed and tanks have collected some water. The water collected in the tanks before Christmas has been used for gardens this summer. All that is left for completion of the project is the installation of electronic metering and controls. The project should be finished by the end of May with our first report published soon thereafter.

Project Managers

Mark Forder
Campus Operations Manager – Bendigo

Tim Hall
Maintenance Manager - Bendigo

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