Greywater
Greywater is household waste-water from non-toilet plumbing fixtures, including washing machines, showers, baths and basins. Temporary re-use of greywater is an effective way to preserve our precious drinking water.
How can greywater be used?
Greywater is suitable for watering plants, flushing the toilet and washing clothes, if properly treated.
Manual bucketing
You can manually collect water from your washing machine or shower which can then be used to water your garden.
Greywater diversion
A greywater diversion device will distribute greywater beneath the surface of your garden or lawn. You do not need Council approval to install a greywater diversion device provided that it meets Section 75a of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005. If you are unsure, please contact our Customer Service Centre.
Greywater treatment
In order to use greywater in toilets, washing machines and above ground watering in the garden, you will need to install a greywater treatment system. This will require Council approval, and in some cases a Development Application. The system must also be registered with NSW Health.
Things to consider before installation
Greywater usage may not be suitable for all sites and homes. While it can save a lot of water, there are some drawbacks to using greywater, and other ways of conserving water, such as a rainwater tank, may be more appropriate. Consider the following before making a decision about using greywater:
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installation and maintenance costs can be high
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cleaning products, detergents, soaps, bleach and disinfectant in greywater can build up in soil, increasing pH levels, or killing off organisms in the ground
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the ground surrounding a diversion device can become permanently boggy, leading to problems in growing plants, or producing polluted run-off which flows into catchments
Requirements for installation
Council will generally approve greywater reuse schemes based on their likelihood of succeeding. Please read the following requirements:
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Council cannot approve a greywater system for use unless it has been accredited by the NSW Department of Health.
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Approval must be granted by Council before the system can be installed.
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Regular inspections and soil analysis will be required. A soil analysis of the site and a permeability study must be carried out by a qualified person.
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Plumbing must comply with Sydney Water guidelines to prevent backflow into drinking water and to provide a diversion into the sewer if the system fails.
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No reuse system within 50 metres of a water course will be approved.
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If earthworks are required to install a diversion device or treatment system, a development application and consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act is needed. (In this instance, Council will waive normal fees)