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Greywater Do's and Don'ts

 
The following list covers some of the major do's and don'ts that should be considered when using a greywater system.

Do
  • Use low phosphorus detergents
  • Diverted greywater (untreated) should only be used on the garden
  • Apply diverted greywater to the garden by a below ground seepage pipe. This will reduce human exposure to the water.
  • Use greywater only during prolonged warm, dry periods: use only what you need to meet the plant's water requirements
  • Ensure greywater is diverted to the sewer during wet periods
  • Install a diversion system that is 'fail-safe', where the greywater will automatically be diverted to the sewer if the greywater system blocks or malfunctions
  • Stop using greywater if you smell odours and your plants do not appear to be healthy
  • Wash your hands after watering with greywater and after gardening in greywater irrigated areas
  • Use less fertiliser when irrigating with greywater
  • Ensure greywater does not contaminate any source of drinking water: extreme care must be taken to ensure there is no cross-connection between the greywater re-use system and the drinking water supply
Don't
  • Never water vegetable gardens if the crop is to be eaten raw
  • Never use greywater that has faecal contamination, for example, wastewater used to wash nappies
  • Never store untreated greywater for more than 24 hours
  • Never drink greywater or allow children or pets to drink or play with greywater
  • Never allow greywater to flow beyond your property boundary or enter stormwater systems
  • Do not use kitchen wastewater (including dishwashers) - it contains highly concentrated food wastes and chemicals that are not readily broken down by soil organisms
  • Do not allow greywater to pool or stagnate as this will attract insects and rodents, which may transmit disease.