Waste-water treatment and water pollution prevention

The University relies on public authority waste-water treatment for all campuses and these authorities have licences with the EPA that prescribe processes and discharge limits. Providers for sewage wastewater discharged include the Hunter Water Corporation for the Callaghan and Newcastle campuses, Central Coast Council for Ourimbah and Gosford campuses, Sydney Water Authority for the Sydney campus, the Tamworth Regional Council for the Tamworth campus, Mid Coast Council for the Taree campus, and Port Macquarie Hastings Council for the Port Macquarie campus. Trade Waste Pit & Stormwater pit regular servicing is undertaken by the UON site cleaning contracts.

The Hydraulic Services Guiding Principles sets out the University’s infrastructure requirements for plumbing, drainage, stormwater, water, and gas services, and ensures new and refurbished systems are energy efficient, fit-for-purpose, and made from high quality, durable materials.

All waste processes of the University comply with the Environmental Sustainability Policy and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). On-site sewage tanks all have fault and high-level alarms to notify staff prior to any overflow and subsequent environmental impact. Facilities cleaning and grounds contractors have access to spill kits via Security Services to respond to and contain site spills and engage Hazmat services to minimise environmental impacts.

The University has strict health and safety requirements for laboratory safety that include management of biohazards, chemicals and hazardous materials, genetically modified organisms, hazardous substances. The Chemical Management Procedure includes information on spill kits. The PC2 Laboratory Safety Manual provides detailed information on managing spills.