United Nations Sustainable Development
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Sustainable water extraction on campus. Where water is extracted (for example from aquifers, lakes or rivers) utilise sustainable water extraction technologies on associated university grounds on and off campus.
UniSC manages water extraction from aquifers and rivers by employing sustainable practices that ensure minimal environmental impact. The university’s Integrated Water Management (IWM) approach considers all elements of the water cycle, including rainwater, stormwater, potable water, and wastewater. This approach ensures that water is sourced and used in a way that is “fit-for-purpose,” meaning that the quality of water used matches the requirements of its intended use.
The flagship Sunshine Coast campus of UniSC is the low point in the Sippy Downs Catchment Area. During any rainfall event, water from the catchment flows into the two lakes on campus through a series of planned swales and streams that provide an initial natural filtration system. The campus lakes, with a joint storage capacity of 130,000,000 litres of water, serve the same function as rainwater tanks, with the added benefit of providing a natural habitat for a range of birds, reptiles and waterfowl. The water within the lakes is used across the campus in two ways.
- Untreated water is pulled from the lakes to irrigate the grounds, watering the campus and sporting fields.
- Treated water is drawn from the lakes to feed the central energy plant and cooling towers.
The technological process for pulling water from the lakes uses a low velocity screened intake method so that flora and fauna are unharmed by the extraction process. Once within the treatment plant, the water feeds through water pumps, holding tanks and multiple filtration systems including glass media and ultra-filtration, to produce potable water for various uses such as cooling towers, pools, and irrigation. Routine water quality testing is performed to detect biological contamination and to ensure the water poses no health and safety risks.
The Sunshine Coast campus also hosts a 5,000-litre underground rainwater tank that feeds into the grey water systems for the adjoining building. Between the lakes and the rainwater tank, over 55% of the water used on the campus is recycled.
Additionally, UniSC collaborates with local stakeholders and communities to manage water resources effectively, ensuring that water extraction practices are sustainable and beneficial for the broader community.
Summary
UniSC manages water extraction from aquifers and rivers sustainably by using advanced filtration systems and collaborating with local stakeholders to ensure minimal environmental impact.