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Greywater Usage

The City of Stonnington joins the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in supporting water conservation methods and believes that greywater can be reused effectively and safely in domestic situations by following a few simple tips.

Greywater (all non-toilet household wastewater) can be a good water resource in dry periods but its reuse can carry significant health and environmental risks. Please see the does and don'ts list that follows to help ensure safe reuse of this resource.

EPA Victoria's Dos and Don'ts of Greywater Reuse

Greywater Dos

  • Use wastewater from baths, showers, hand basins and washing machines (preferably the final rinse water); and
  • Use greywater on the garden and rotate which areas you water, only apply enough water that the soil can absorb.

Greywater Don'ts

  • Water vegetable gardens if the crop is to be eaten raw or uncooked;
  • Use greywater that has fecal contamination, for example wastewater used to launder nappies;
  • Use kitchen wastewater (including dishwashers) due to the high concentration of food wastes and chemicals that are not readily broken down by soil organisms;
  • Store greywater for more than 24 hours;
  • Let children or pets drink or play with grey water;
  • Allow greywater to flow from your property or enter stormwater systems;
  • Wash your hands following watering with greywater
  • Use greywater during wet periods; and  
  • Use if odours are generated and plants do not appear to be healthy.

(Base source for the above information is: www.epa.vic.gov.au)
EPA Publication 884 and Publication 812.
For more information phone the EPA Information Centre on 9695-2722).

Planning and Building Requirements

Requirements may apply to temporary installations and will definitely apply to permanent installations. For information regarding planning requirements contact Council's Planning Department on Ph: 03 8290 3329. For queries related to building requirements contact Council's Building Department on Ph: 03 8290 1333.

Temporary and Permanent Installations

A number of products designed for immediate greywater reuse are on the market. These temporary methods vary from simply using a bucket to collect water from the shower, to using a water diverter in the outlet from your washing basin.

Permanent greywater systems can be expensive. If you wish to put in a permanent system for greywater reuse, visit the Guidelines for Environmental Management: Code of Practice - Onsite Wastewater Management on the EPA website and download the Domestic Wastewater Management Series, Reuse Options for Household Wastewater, Publication 812. You must receive permission from EPA Victoria for any permanent installation. It is also advisable that you discuss any permanent installations with your local water retailer.