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The Monash Design and Construction Standards include a number of requirements to reduce potable water use including efficient fixtures and fittings, making campus landscapes more drought tolerant, and prioritising non-potable water options where possible.
Harvested stormwater is used for irrigation of campus grounds and toilet flushing in multiple buildings across Monash. The University has reduced reliance on potable water through improved process efficiency for harvested water management. Water conservation, water harvesting and community awareness have been the main strategies in the University’s water management plan.
Total potable water consumption at Monash University’s Australian campuses was 432,369 kilolitres (kL) in 2022.
The Grounds and Landscaping requirements of the Monash Design and Construction Standards places controls to ensure all construction activities are carried out in accordance with best practice guidelines issued by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, and Melbourne Water to minimise risk of stormwater pollution, from contaminated runoff of chemicals, sediments, or other associated construction refuse.
Monash University campuses are preparing for water scarcity and flash flooding events as the campuses grow and develop. Our campuses are reducing their water demand and capturing stormwater to use as a water source to reduce the reliance on potable water. Our landscapes employ Water Sensitive Urban Design practices at a strategic scale to ensure that the campuses are purifying our water resources on campus, reducing peak damaging peak flow and maximising efficiency of our water harvesting systems and infiltration into our landscapes while also reinvigorating and reinstating natural waterway habitats.