Water-Conscious Building Standards

The University of Newcastle is committed to reducing water consumption and incorporating sustainable water management practices into the design, construction and refurbishment of its buildings. Through environmental policies, building design standards and water-efficient technologies, the University aims to minimise reliance on mains water, increase opportunities for water reuse and improve the environmental performance of campus infrastructure.

The University's Environmental Sustainability Policy, in effect throughout 2025, establishes a commitment to reducing mains water consumption, exploring opportunities for water reuse and integrating water efficiency into the planning of new buildings and campus developments.

Water-efficient design requirements

The University's Hydraulic Services Design Standards, in place throughout 2025, establish technical requirements for water-efficient plumbing and hydraulic systems in new buildings and refurbishment projects. These standards help ensure that water conservation is incorporated into building design through efficient fixtures, fittings and water management systems.

The standards specify minimum Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) ratings for key plumbing fixtures, including:

  • Toilets: Minimum 4 Star WELS-rated dual-flush systems.
  • Urinals: Minimum 6 Star WELS rating.
  • Tapware: Minimum 5 Star WELS rating.
  • Showers: Minimum 3 Star WELS rating.

Additional water-saving measures include timed push-button basin taps in high-use public and student areas, aerated fittings, flow restrictors and water-efficient showerheads. These features help reduce unnecessary water consumption while maintaining functionality and accessibility across University facilities.

Rainwater harvesting and water reuse

The University incorporates opportunities for rainwater harvesting and alternative water supplies into the planning of new buildings and major refurbishments.

The Hydraulic Services Design Standards require rainwater harvesting and reuse systems to be considered in accordance with Green Star performance requirements. Where implemented, these systems can collect and store roof runoff for non-potable uses, including landscape irrigation, toilet and urinal flushing, and cooling-tower operations.

The standards also include requirements for water metering and monitoring, allowing building water consumption and rainwater reuse to be tracked. New buildings are designed with separate plumbing services that enable toilet and urinal flushing systems to connect to rainwater or other non-potable water supplies where available.

These measures support more efficient use of water resources and provide opportunities to reduce demand on mains water supplies.

Embedding water efficiency in capital projects

Water conservation is also integrated into the University's broader approach to sustainable building design and infrastructure development.

The Environmental Sustainability Plan 2019–2025 established a commitment to embedding Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles across capital projects and applying the University's ESD Tool to refurbishment works.

The ESD Project Briefing Document guides the practical application of these principles throughout project development. The ESD Tool includes a dedicated water theme, ensuring that water efficiency and sustainable water management are considered during the early planning stages and reviewed as projects progress through design and delivery.

This approach helps integrate water conservation into infrastructure planning, rather than relying solely on improvements made after buildings are completed.

Water-conscious design in practice

The University's Q Building at the Honeysuckle City Campus demonstrates the application of sustainable water management principles in a completed campus development.

Awarded a 6 Star Green Star ‘Design & As Built’ certification, the building incorporates a 20,000-litre rainwater harvesting system and 4 Star WELS-rated water fittings, alongside other environmentally sustainable design features. These measures support water conservation and demonstrate how water-efficient technologies can be integrated into modern University buildings.

By incorporating water efficiency into building standards, project planning and infrastructure development, the University continues to support responsible water use and more sustainable campus operations.