Grey water
Using grey water and rainwater on the garden is a way to keep it alive without relying on precious drinking water. But because greywater can potentially contain harmful pathogens and harsh chemicals, it requires special handling in one of two ways.
Diversion of the flow only
Approval from your local council to install and operate a diversion device may not be required under a new Clause 75A of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, if the installation and operation meet certain conditions. A diversion device does not require any treatment of the water as outlined below as long as the grey water is applied underground (i.e. there should be no obvious saturation or ponding of water above the surface).
Treatment of water
To install a greywater treatment system the system needs to be accredited by the NSW Department of Health and approval from your local Council granted. Greywater treatment systems produce water that can be reused for toilet flushing and above ground irrigation.
For more information on NSW Health accredited grey water treatment systems, grey water diversion devices or guidelines go to the NSW Health On-site Single Domestic Wastewater Management website.
Grey water for diversion is collected from baths, showers, hand basins and washing machines, but excludes water from the toilet and kitchen. Water from kitchen sinks and washing machines are also technically grey water, however, care should be taken before use as the high concentration of food wastes and chemicals could harm some plants and harbour pathogens.
This page last updated 16 February, 2012 12:10 PM
