News Archive

The University's efforts to reduce its water use were recently recognised by the Water Corporation.

A Waterwise Business award was presented to Facilities Management in May, for reducing the University's scheme water use in the 2011/12 financial year by more than 10% per EFTSL.

FM Director, Mr Walker said this reduction was achieved through various initiatives, including retrofitting of toilets with water efficient fittings, converting irrigation systems to ground water and identifying and repairing leaks in a timely manner.

The University is also expecting to report positive reductions in water-use this year.

"In April, the University installed a rainwater irrigation system, supplemented by waste water, for its Plant Growth Facilities, which could save 1 million litres of water per year. This, teamed with other initiatives, such as the capture and safe reuse of waste water from plant and equipment, helps us to achieve the University's water reduction target," he explained.

The target Mr Walker refers to is the University's ambition to reduce water use by 20% by 2020, compared to 2008 levels.

More information about the University's resource reduction targets can be found at: www.sd.fm.uwa.edu.au/plan .

Media references

Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 00 700 783
Trish Howard (UWA Sustainable Development) (+61 8) 6488 7540