Water Re-Use Policy

The University of Newcastle is committed to reducing reliance on mains water by increasing water reuse across its campuses. Through environmental policies, rainwater harvesting infrastructure and sustainable building design standards, the University supports the collection, storage and reuse of water for irrigation and other non-potable purposes.

A University-wide commitment to water reuse

The University's Environmental Sustainability Policy, in effect throughout 2025, establishes a clear commitment to water conservation and reuse. The Policy states:

"We will: reduce our mains water usage, increase the natural irrigation of our bushland campuses, and seek ways to re-use our water."

This commitment guides the University's approach to sustainable water management, encouraging opportunities to capture and reuse water, reduce demand on mains supplies and make more efficient use of available water resources.

The Environmental Sustainability Policy took effect on the 8th of December 2022 and remained in place throughout 2025. The policy was reviewed in June 2026.

Reusing captured rainwater across campus

The University has established extensive rainwater harvesting and storage infrastructure to support water reuse across its campuses.

As highlighted in a July 2025 University update, approximately 2.7 million litres of rainwater can be captured and stored in on-site tanks. This harvested water is used to irrigate sporting fields at Callaghan campus, with Oval 3 irrigated almost entirely using captured rainwater.

Large rainwater storage tanks and stormwater retention dams support irrigation systems designed to prioritise stored rainwater, switching to mains water only when required. This approach reduces reliance on potable water for maintaining campus green spaces and sporting facilities.

Integrating water reuse into building design 

The University's Hydraulic Services Design Standards establish requirements for incorporating water reuse into new buildings and major refurbishment projects.

The standards require rainwater harvesting and reuse opportunities to be considered in accordance with Green Star performance requirements. Where rainwater reuse systems are implemented, the standards specify requirements for storage, treatment and metering to support safe and efficient operation and enable water reuse to be monitored.

Subject to University approval and relevant design requirements, harvested rainwater may be used for landscape irrigation, toilet and urinal flushing, and cooling-tower operations. These measures provide opportunities to substitute captured rainwater for mains water in activities that do not require drinking-quality water.

Established water-reuse infrastructure

The University's Water Management Solutions program highlights additional water-reuse infrastructure operating across campus.

Alongside rainwater tanks and stormwater retention ponds used for irrigation, the University has installed rainwater reuse systems connected to internal plumbing and amenities in 15 campus buildings. These systems enable harvested rainwater to be used for toilet flushing, reducing demand on mains water for everyday building operations.

The combination of University-wide policy commitments, building design standards and established rainwater harvesting systems demonstrates how water reuse is incorporated into campus infrastructure and ongoing water management practices.