Greywater
Greywater is the wastewater from your shower, bath, spa, hand basins, laundry tub, washing machine, dishwasher and kitchen sink. It doesn't include water from toilets, urinals or bidets. Greywater can be used to water your gardens without using mains water and can save hundreds of litres of fresh water each day.
Why use greywater?
Reusing greywater provides a number of benefits including:
- reducing your water consumption
- reducing your water bills
- reducing the amount of sewage discharged to the ocean or rivers
- irrigating your garden during periods of drought
- allowing you to water your garden when water restrictions prevent you from using mains water.
Is it safe to use greywater?
All forms of household wastewater can be detrimental to human health and pollute the environment. However, when used properly and carefully, wastewater can be converted into a valuable resource that can be reused. It is very important to follow guidelines when installing greywater devices and systems to ensure the health and safety of your household and community is protected.
More information about how to use greywater safely is outlined in:
Greywater Fact Sheet 1: diversion devices do's and don'ts and at www.LivingGreener.gov.au/greywater.
Ways to reuse greywater
There are three ways of reusing greywater:
| Use | Description | Requirements |
|---|
| Manual bucketing | Small quantities of greywater are captured in a bucket for reuse outside on gardens or lawns | No council approval required |
| Diversion | Greywater diversion devices redirect greywater for use outside the home on gardens or lawns using sub-surface irrigation | No council approval required under certain conditions. Needs a plumber to install |
| Treatment | Greywater treatment systems for reuse inside the home (eg toilet flushing, washing machine) as well as outside on gardens or lawns | Council approval is required. Needs a plumber to install |
Guidelines for greywater reuse in households
Guidelines and fact sheets for greywater use in households can be downloaded from the Water for Life website. The guidelines relate to single, detached households only and do not include premises comprising of more than one dwelling.
How to purchase greywater devices and treatment systems
Greywater diversion devices can be purchased from some hardware stores or direct from the manufacturer from as little as $200, and require a plumber to install. A fact sheet on choosing a greywater system is also available from the Australian Government.
NSW Health keeps a register of WaterMark licensed suppliers of domestic greywater diversion devices and accredited greywater treatment systems. You can find more information on these devices and their suppliers at:
Registered environmentally sensitive areas
In areas registered as environmentally sensitive, a council approval is needed to divert greywater. The NSW Office of Water maintains a register of environmentally sensitive areas for reuse of greywater.
More information
The best source of information about installing, treating and using greywater devices and treatment systems is your local council or water utility. If you live within the Greater Sydney area, contact Sydney Water.
Useful links
Page last updated: 29 August 2011
