Campus closures and La Nina drive reductions in campus water use

A confluence of events in 2021, including COVID-related closures of our campuses and above average regional rainfalls triggered by the La Nina cycle, continued to drive down water consumption. Charles Sturt’s overall annual potable water consumption in 2021 was less than 50 per cent of that recorded for 2019.

We recognise that it is unlikely that the occurrences of the past two years will be repeated and continue to focus on implementing water efficiency management plans at a campus level. Additionally, projects are being instigated to progressively remove agricultural end uses of potable town water supplies via increased system efficiency and alternative water sources. Minimising the use of irrigated turf as a landscape treatment for campuses is also an area of focus.