Grey water
Fact Sheets
More information
A greywater system in your home could process and redirect up to 50,000 litres of water a year ─ enough to fill a large backyard pool ─ to your garden, toilet or washing machine.
Install a greywater system to divert used water—that would otherwise be wasted — to your garden. Having a plumber install the equipment needed to divert water from washing machines, showers and bathroom basins can provide a massive amount of water. More complex systems can even recycle water for re-use in your toilet or washing machine.
- Water from dishwashers and the kitchen sink, known as blackwater, is not recommended for re-use due to higher levels of phosphates, organic matter, greases and oils, and caustic detergents.
- Government guidelines control how the water should be collected and used, and the work should be done by a licenced plumber. Check with your local council about greywater regulations where you live.
- Avoid using greywater on vegetable gardens if you're going to eat the vegetables raw or lightly cooked.
How to use greywater
Greywater systems can be as simple as collecting shower water or washing machine water in a bucket and pouring it over the petunias. Don’t overfill a big bucket as it can be very heavy to carry. Lots of small buckets are a better idea.
Alternatively, it can be a plumbed system that filters and pipes greywater to toilet cisterns and even back to the washing machine. Talk to a plumber about the drain valves, pumps and tanks you need to install so that your tubs and appliances divert greywater to treatment or storage.
