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:
- Campus Security
- Wellington Water for water-related issues
- Wellington City Council for sewage-related issues
- Cushman & Wakefield for onsite response and information. Call (04) 499 6706.
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