Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, and the country’s interior has one of the world’s lowest rainfalls. But water is critical to sustainable development, and UQ—with a population size similar to the town of Bundaberg—recognises the importance of continued water conservation measures.
Since 2002, UQ has invested well over $1 million in various water-saving measures, which have successfully reduced water consumption at St Lucia by half; in 2006, Brisbane City Council awarded the University the title of ‘Top Water Saver’ in the local council area.
The University’s water-saving measures include almost three million litres worth of rainwater storage capacity, harvesting water from rainfall and recycled sources, installing water refill stations across campuses and striving to reduce mains water usage.