Loss of utilities—water, waste, and sprinklers

Losing water or sewerage has a big impact on the University. Discuss any work with your University liaison before you begin, and put a management plan in place.

Know who to contact

For all concerns about work that may affect water or sewage connections, talk to your University liaison.

If there is a critical issue, contact:

For other issues, call the Property Services Helpdesk and speak to the Facilities Sustainability Manager.

The impact of cutting off water

Before conducting disruptive work that may result in a loss of water, consider the following potential impacts on the University:

  • It would severely limit fire and emergency New Zealand’s capability to fight fires if water hydrants are unavailable
  • The inability to limit the spread of fire in an emergency without a sprinkler system
  • If the disruption is for an extended period (planned or unplanned), key facilities may require shutting down
  • Inability to use safety eyewash stations and safety showers for laboratories or hazardous areas – which may limit what work can be carried out
  • Some highly specialised and expensive equipment requires water as a cooling agent and may suffer significant damage without water
  • Loss of capacity to maintain levels of hygiene
  • Inability to maintain water levels in boilers or heating systems
  • Loss of bathroom and kitchen facilities in high occupancy buildings - i.e. Rutherford House, Rankine Brown
  • Some retailers may have to close, resulting in a loss of business
  • Loss of bathroom facilities in the Recreation Centre