Monash University Clayton campus: 2022 Finalist – Thriving environment

Last updated: 14 August 2023
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green foliage on the right with a grey path on the left leading to a building Monash University Clayton campus is a finalist for an Industry Leader award in the Premier's Sustainability Awards 2022 – Thriving environment category.

Demand for water could begin to exceed supply by as early as 2028. Monash University is on the case, and its water harvesting loop takes water capture and reuse to the next level.

Incorporating the Clayton campus lake, the loop is made up of 60 rainwater tanks, a biofilter garden and monitoring devices linked through underground pipes circling the campus. The system has enabled under-utilised stormwater to be accessed from a Melbourne Water drain running under the campus.

This has significantly increased the existing tank capacity of 3.9 million litres, greatly decreasing reliance on rainwater alone for toilet flushing or irrigation, and reducing water use at the campus overall.

Thriving environment 2022 finalists