Greywater and your property
Greywater makes up about two-thirds of a household's wastewater.
Reusing greywater can help with irrigating gardens, particularly during periods of low rainfall. However, greywater can contain micro-organisms that are harmful to human health, as well as high levels of salts and other contaminants that can make soil unusable if it is not properly managed. There is also the potential for contaminating waterways, which can result in algal blooms and other impacts.
Reusing greywater
Greywater is the wastewater from your shower, bath, hand basin, laundry tub and washing machine. It does not include wastewater from a kitchen, toilet or urinal.
Using untreated wastewater from a dishwasher or kitchen sink is not recommended as it has a higher load of chemicals, fats and organic matter that can clog soils, attract vermin and create unwanted smells.
Greywater is not suitable for drinking, and untreated greywater should not be stored or come into direct contact with humans or animals. However, where greywater is collected safely, it can be used to water your gardens without using mains water, which can save hundreds of litres of fresh water each day.
Reusing greywater provides a number of benefits. These include:
- irrigating your garden during dry periods
- allowing you to water your garden when water restrictions prevent you from using mains water
- reducing your water consumption
- reducing your water bills
- reducing the amount of treatment and discharge by municipal sewage treatment plants.
Approvals required to reuse greywater
Some types of greywater disposal require Council approval.
- This method is the cheapest way to use greywater.
- Small quantities of greywater from your washing machine or shower are collected in a bucket for reuse immediately outside on gardens or lawns.
- Do not use this method when it's raining or when the soil is already saturated. This will prevent greywater running into neighbouring properties.
- Council approval is not required.
Greywater diversion devices divert greywater to a small holding tank and then to an irrigation system below the soil surface.
A domestic greywater diversion device may be installed and used without the prior approval of Council under certain conditions. These include:
- the property is connected to Council's sewer (ie, does not have an on-site sewage management system such as a septic tank or aerated wastewater treatment system)
- the site is not located in an environmentally sensitive area
- it is on a single domestic dwelling (not multiple dwellings such as units, strata title properties etc,)
- greywater must not be stored or treated other than primary screening or filtering, and must be disposed of by a sub-surface irrigation system at least 100mm below ground
- a 'Water Mark' licensed diversion device is used and installed by a licensed plumber in accordance with the National Plumbing and Drainage Code
- the property and installation meets the exempt provisions of Regulation 75A of the Local Government [General] Regulation 2021.
- Domestic greywater treatment systems are more advanced than diversion devices - they collect, store, treat and disinfect greywater, which can then be used in washing machines, to flush toilets and irrigate gardens.
- After treatment, the greywater is clean enough to be stored.
- Council approval is required to use the treatment system and it must be fitted by a licensed plumber.
Apply
To apply for approval, complete the application form and return it to Council:
- Submit your application by:
- email: Council
- post: Public and Environmental Health Team
Eurobodalla Shire Council,
PO Box 99 Moruya NSW 2537.
Application fees are detailed in Council's current fees and charges.
More information
Contact us
If you need more information about greywater, please contact our Public and Environmental Health Team:
- T: 02 4474 1310
- E: Council's Public and Environmental Health Team