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Greywater Reuse

What is greywater?

Greywater is water that is discharged from household appliances and water fixtures such as:

Showers and baths
Washing machines and dishwashers
Hand basins, and kitchen and laundry sinks

Greywater is suitable for watering your garden or washing your car in times of low rainfall.

What is blackwater?

Blackwater is water that is discharged from:

Blackwater must not be reused and must be directed to the sewerage system.

Greywater reuse

Use of Greywater within 24hrs of Generation

Untreated greywater may be diverted for immediate reuse (within 24hrs), provided greywater does not leave your property boundary and enter the stormwater system or neighbouring properties.
To achieve this only use greywater on the garden during times of low rainfall, do not use on a garden area used to grow produce.

Use of Greywater stored for more than24hrs

Greywater treatment system is required
Use a licensed plumber to install the diversion system
Water diversion systems are best restricted to low risk sources such as bath, shower and laundry rinse water
Laundry wash water is also high in detergent concentrations. Look out for biodegradable and phosphate free brands
Kitchen water should not be used as it is heavily contaminated with fats, greases and solids which are not easily broken down by soil organisms
Use greywater only during prolonged dry periods and in quantities that can be taken up by plants and soil
Ensure there is no cross connection of greywater with the drinking water supply
Minimise the risk by colour coding pipe work and installing a backflow prevention device
Do not discharge greywater near agi pipes as the greywater will flow into the stormwater system impacting on rivers, creeks and bays
Ensure that the diversion system is fail safe; that is greywater will automatically be diverted to the sewer if the greywater system blocks or otherwise malfunctions
Direct greywater to sewer during periods of wet weather
Do not irrigate vegetable gardens supplying food crops that are eaten raw or undercooked as this would pose an unacceptable health risk
Indicate where greywater is being used by signage
Never allow greywater to discharge beyond property boundaries (you may be exposed to a range of legal liabilities)
Please remember it is illegal to store greywater for more than 24 hours

Council Requirements

If you plan to install a water treatment unit to enable storage and re-use of greywater you need to contact:

Council's Building Services on (03) 9205 5095 to ensure that it complies with current Building Regulations.
Council's Urban Planning department on (03) 9205 5373 to check if you need a planning permit.
Council's Public Health Unit on (03) 9205 5555 to obtain approval

Further Information

If you would like further information:

If you would like further information please see the website www.epa.vic.gov.au . In particular, read EPA Publication 812, Reuse Options for Household Wastewater (November 2001).
Savewater www.savewater.com.au offers information on a range of products and installation.

The Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (ph: 9329 9622) can put you in contact with a "Green Plumber" who has been trained in water reuse options. See the website www.greenplumbers.com.au

Water Restrictions
Yarra's top 12 actions for a Water Wise Home
Rainwater Tanks
Greywater Reuse
Stormwater
State Government Rebates .

Further information

Environmental Management Unit
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmondl
Telephone 9205 5555
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site
Yarra City Council

External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)

Victoria Online
EPA Publication
Savewater
Greenplumbers
Yarra Valley Wate
Energy and Water Solutions
Your Home Technical Manual - Water Use Fact Sheets

Information supplied by: Electronic communications & design officer - 9205 5214