Using greywater in your garden
Using greywater on your garden is a great way to keep it green and healthy.
Here is a list of things to remember when using greywater:
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Gain Council approval and research your land’s suitability prior to purchasing or installing a greywater system. | Store untreated greywater. Greywater contains contaminants and bacteria that can multiply quickly and potentially cause a smell or a health risk. |
| Divert untreated greywater to the sewerage system if it is not used immediately (e.g. during heavy rain). | Allow children, pets or human contact to occur where greywater has been used. |
| Ensure the plants and turf varieties in your garden are greywater tolerant. | Use greywater that has been used to wash heavily soiled items such as nappies or work uniforms. |
| Choose laundry detergents that are designed for greywater re-use. These will usually contain low nitrogen, phosphorous and salts and will be labelled appropriately. | Allow greywater to flow into stormwater drains, or to pollute a watercourse or groundwater. |
| Use greywater only when your garden needs watering and try not to over-water as this may damage plants and soil structure. | Use greywater when there is a person in your home that is unwell. |
| Prevent run-off into neighbouring properties as this may cause a health risk. | Allow greywater to pond, as this may cause offensive odours and potentially become a health risk. |
| Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with greywater and use gloves if possible. | Allow greywater to come into contact with vegetables, herbs or edible plants, or allow it to splash onto them. |
| Use greywater if you have used detergents that contain harmful salts, as this may kill plants or damage soil structure. |
Suitable plants and turf
There are many plants and turf that like greywater:
- bird of paradise
- melaleuca
- dietes
- gardenia
- callistemon
- confiers
- liriope
- yucca
- hibiscus
- manilla grass
- seashore paspalum
- saltwater couch grass
- st augustine turf*
- bermuda grass*
- buffalo grass*
- green couch*
*alternate greywater and fresh water
Handy tips
Only use the amount of water your garden needs for it to be healthy. Excessive watering may lead to:
- water-logged soil
- plant damage
- increased risk of greywater entering natural waterways or seeping into groundwater
Consider what is in your greywater before applying it to your yard.