The University has comprehensive processes in place to manage and treat wastewater across all campuses.

The University of Newcastle's Hydraulic Services Guiding Principles outline the University's infrastructure requirements and procedures for plumbing, drainage, stormwater, and wastewater systems. These principles ensure that all hydraulic services are designed and maintained to prevent environmental harm and support sustainable water management.

In addition:

• The University relies on public authority wastewater treatment services for all campuses. These authorities operate under licences issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), which prescribe strict treatment processes and discharge limits.

1. Hunter Water Corporation – Callaghan and Newcastle campuses
2. Central Coast Council – Ourimbah and Gosford campuses
3. Sydney Water Authority – Sydney campus
4. Tamworth Regional Council – Tamworth campus
5. Mid Coast Council – Taree campus
6. Port Macquarie Hastings Council – Port Macquarie campus

• Trade waste pits and stormwater pits are regularly serviced by University site cleaning contractors to ensure proper function and prevent contamination.

As part of the University's 2024 environmental focus, there has been a strategic emphasis on improving wastewater infrastructure, enhancing contractor training, and strengthening partnerships with local water authorities to ensure compliance and environmental protection.

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 Environmental Sustainability Policy was effective from the 8th of December 2022 and will be reviewed in December 2025.

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.