Greywater Reuse

The Department of Primary Industries has released guidelines for greywater reuse in sewered, single household residential premises.

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. Used appropriately, you can water your garden with greywater and save up to hundreds of litres of fresh water each day.

By using greywater for watering gardens and lawns, a household has the potential to save between 50,000 and 100,000 litres of drinking water a year.

Previously, Council approval was required for greywater diversion devices to be installed in homes. The NSW Government has changed the rules, and this is no longer required if certain conditions are met.

The Department has published guidelines for greywater use in households. The Guidelines relate to single, detached households only and do not include premises comprising of more than one dwelling. The Guidelines and fact sheets can be downloaded here:

• NSW Guidelines for Greywater Reuse in Sewered, Single Household Residential Premises (pdf)
• Recycling Greywater Fact Sheet