Water Conservation

With terrible drought nation-wide and global suggestions that future wars will be fought over water, everyone is aware of the importance of their precious resource. As part of the greater Melbourne community La Trobe University recognises its responsibility to water conservation, taking measures in its landscapes and buildings to minimise water use and also to recycle water. The University's water use is monitored annually to keep track of and prevent excessive use.

La Trobe University was the winner of the Best Water Conservation - Educational Facility category of the inaugural savewater! awards for outstanding achievement in water conservation, announced in March 2002.

Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus moat system

Since its development in the 1960s, La Trobe University's Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus has featured a lake and moat system used to collect stormwater run off which is used to irrigate the University's playing fields, gardens and lawns.

The Water Management Plan was devised in 2004 to identify water saving initiatives at the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus. As part of this plan, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Environment and Heritage have awarded the University two grants of $50,000 each. The funding will be used to extend the moat system, increasing the University's use of stormwater to irrigate its grounds. Once this project is completed, it is estimated it will save approximately 30,000 KL of water per year.

Awards

Best Water Conservation - Education Facility, 2002 savewater! awards

The University was one of the top users at Yarra Valley Water, and over a 2 year period, reduced water use by 20%. The money saved was able to be invested in more roof-top tanks.

The University was also recognised by Yarra Valley Water in 2004 for having successfully completed its Water Management Plan.

Other water-saving initiatives

Rainwater tanks have been installed at the Eagle Bar, Maintenance and some of the Science, Technology and Engineering buildings, the water is used for activities such as car washing and flushing toilets.

Menzies College have installed water-saving showerheads, while Glenn and Chisholm Colleges are investigating similar water restricting devices for future installation. Bathrooms in some areas of the University have installed water flow restrictors.

Tips for saving water

Report and/or fix leaking taps.
Take shorter showers.
Don't leave the tap running when you wash dishes. A running tap wastes 14L of water per minute.
Next time you're replacing your washing machine or showerhead, only purchase equipment with the AAA rating.
Wait until your dishwasher and your washing machine are full before washing.
Use native plants in your garden, they require less watering. If you have the means, use a tank for collecting rain to water your plants.

Reporting water leakage/wastage

Got a leaky tape in your office kitchen? Is the toilet in the bathroom continually running? Report it!

It’s easy! Just follow these simple steps:

Go to the Maintenance website
File a maintenance request
For urgent jobs, where large quantities of water are being lost, phone: extn 2017 or 2012 (after hours)

Every drop counts!