Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards

The University of Newcastle has formal standards and guidelines to ensure that all water discharges uphold environmental and public health protection, in line with regulatory requirements.

In place during 2025, these standards guide stormwater and subsoil drainage, protecting receiving waterways through engineering requirements, site-specific procedures and water-sensitive design.

Water discharge requirements in place by 2025

Hydraulic Services Design Standards – November 2024

The University’s Hydraulic Services Design Standards, Version 2.0, reviewed in November 2024, set minimum requirements for drainage infrastructure in University-owned, operated and managed buildings. They apply to designers, staff and contractors undertaking new developments or refurbishments. Section 5.7 addresses stormwater and subsoil discharge quality and rates.

All stormwater and subsoil discharges must meet applicable water-quality and discharge-rate requirements set by water authorities, local council Development Control Plans and the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Developments or refurbishments affecting runoff must adopt erosion and sediment control plans. Subsoil and seepage water must be sampled to determine whether it can enter stormwater systems or requires treatment.

The standards identify pit screens, filtration, gross pollutant traps, bioretention swales and rain gardens as ways to improve runoff quality. Water-sensitive urban design must be considered for new buildings and public-domain redevelopments.

University policy commitment – in force throughout 2025

The Environmental Sustainability Policy effective from December 2022 remained in force during 2025. It committed the University to follow local council water standards, protect waterways, wetlands and coastal areas, and prevent pollution of water systems and aquatic ecosystems.

Operational management and pollution prevention

2025 environmental management at Callaghan and Ourimbah

The Operational Environmental Management Plan guidance issued on 14 July 2025 directs site-based environmental management at Callaghan and Ourimbah. It identifies effluent discharge, sewerage and trade waste as environmental risks at both campuses, alongside hazardous chemicals and contaminated land.

The guidance requires relevant operations teams and contractors to follow site-specific procedures and identifies monitoring, reporting, auditing and corrective-action responsibilities. Construction projects presenting environmental risks may require separate management plans.

Responding to spills and water pollution

The University’s Environmental Incident Reporting and Response Procedure (August 2021) requires reporting of campus environmental incidents, safe initial spill containment where feasible, and escalation, clean-up and regulatory notification where necessary. These arrangements complement preventative water-quality standards.

Water-sensitive campus design and supporting practices

The University’s Public Domain Manual (September 2021) specifies rain gardens that filter oils and silt from paved-area runoff before it enters creeks or is reused. It sets filter-media, drainage, installation and maintenance requirements, including sediment removal.

A July 2025 University news report also documented approximately 2.7 million litres of rainwater storage capacity, with captured rainfall used to irrigate Callaghan sporting fields. This supports stormwater reuse alongside the University’s discharge-quality controls.

By combining discharge standards, pollution-response procedures and water-sensitive design, the University works to reduce risks to the creeks, wetlands and coastal waters connected to its campuses. These measures support healthy aquatic ecosystems and protect the wider communities that rely on them.