Newcastle High School is a large, vibrant, inner-city comprehensive school that utilises SUMS for water management and cost savings.
On 21st September Newcastle High School closed for the 2 week spring break. SUMS continued to log the school’s water use and the following day the meter alerted us to abnormal water use at the school. The school’s water data was showing a continuing leak and on Monday 24th September a SUMS Technician rang the school’s General Assistant, David Mackay. David returned to the school to investigate and immediately identified a problem with one of the school’s upgraded toilet cisterns. A small screw designed to prevent children from tampering with the toilet cistern had been positioned incorrectly and the flush button had become displaced under the screw. This meant that the toilet was flushing continuously wasting 11.5 litres of water per minute. Had it not been for SUMS and a very conscientious GA, this leak would have continued for 16 days, or until school re-opened on 8th October.
“Thanks to the SUMS automated alert system, Newcastle High School identified and rectified an 11.5 litre/minute leak that would have cost the school 264,960 litres of wasted water and $689 in excess water charges!” (Hunter Water pricing)
David Mackay, General Assistant, Newcastle High
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