Level 2 water restrictions now in place | Estate Management

The NSW Government has implemented Level 2 water restrictions from 10 December 2019.

These restrictions apply to everyone in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra. All residents and businesses will need to minimise unnecessary outdoor water use, and limit indoor water use.

Sydney Water granted UNSW an exemption permit under the Level 1 water restriction framework, and Estate Management has been notified by Sydney Water that our exemption permits will be upgraded to the Level 2 permit in mid-December 2019.

Let us know if you see any water leaks on campus by contacting our Help Desk or filling out this quick and easy Service Request Form.

For more information, read the NSW Government notice.

Restrictions & Suggestions

Level 2 Restrictions

Under these restrictions, you will need to minimise your water use in the following ways:

Only use a watering can or bucket to water your garden before 10am and after 4pm.
Only use drip irrigation or smart watering systems for a maximum of 15 mins a day per watering zone, before 10 am and after 4 pm.
Only top up an existing pool or spa using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket for a maximum of 15 minutes a day to replace water lost through evaporation, not to replace water deliberately removed from the pool or spa. You need a permit to fill new or renovated pools and spas that hold more than 500 L.
Only use a bucket and sponge to wash your vehicle.

How you can save water on campus

There are lots of ways you can save water. Here are a few ideas.

Take shorter showers.
Use the half flush on your toilet whenever possible.
Turn the tap off. You don't need to leave it running.
Wait until you have a full load before using your dishwasher
Use bore water for all external washdown and watering if possible.

How we minimise water on campus

At UNSW, we use bore water from the Botany Sands Aquifer for landscaping irrigation, building cooling towers and toilet flushes.

We use a Hunter Hydrawise irrigation controller to maximise the efficient use of bore water.

When it rains, our systems are fitted with rain sensors that will automatically cut the irrigation if rain is detected.

We have a rainwater capture system, which drains rainwater from 90 per cent of the campus which then goes back into the Botany Sands Aquifer to replenish it.