Rules and Approved Systems in your State

This section has been developed primarily to support homeowners and plumbers with the installation and use of greywater treatment and diversion systems; however before you purchase your greywater system it is advisable to check with your supplier or contact your local or state authority to ensure your chosen system has approval in your state and area. We have provided a state by state guide.

We have also included a user friendly ‘Dos and Don’ts’ section for homeowners.

Each state has its own compliance regulations regarding greywater management and greywater treatment and diversion systems. There are many reasons why local governments may have restrictions on the irrigation with greywater, which are usually based on specific local sensitivities, such as:

• Environmentally sensitive areas
• Water bodies
• Flood prone areas
• Recreational waters nearby
• Filled areas
• Natural heritage area
• Acid sulphate soils
• Aquifers

There are also national and state guidelines which apply to large scale projects where greywater is collected from a number of properties or an apartment complex.

Although the process and specifics for approvals, installation and maintenance for greywater diversion devices and systems varies across Australia the overall processes usually follow similar components depending on the complexity of the system (treated or untreated greywater).

The approvals, installation and documentation required for installation of greywater treatment systems (GTS) in Australia

In Australia, the development, installation and operation of large scale alternative water systems such as wastewater and stormwater are controlled by the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling. These guidelines do not apply to single house alternative water systems such as rainwater tanks or greywater diversion, but the principles and processes developed in the guidelines can be simplified to aid in the selection and installation of systems at this scale. The Guidelines were used in the development of the GreySmartTM product selection tool.

Whilst the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling are national in scope, different states have interpreted and developed them in different ways, as the guidelines are not prescriptive but provide a framework for assessing alternative water systems. This means the guidelines are flexible and can be adjusted to state specific needs and conditions. Please refer to the relevant state guidelines for details of the guidelines for larger scale alternative water systems.

There are many other national guidelines and useful documents that provide information on greywater and other alternative water source options for the home. The majority of these resources are free.

• The Australian Government National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative
• The National Water Commission resource page for requirements for installation of rainwater and greywater systems in Australia
• The National Water Commission code of practice for reuse of greywater
• The National Water Commission – Australian Government Rainwater and Greywater Initiative
• The Urban Greywater Design and Installation Handbook
  The National Water Commission and RMIT are also great sources of information on setting up and use of greywater systems.
• The Australian Government factsheet on choosing grey water systems

The ACT Government does not provide a list of approved greywater system products; however it provides links from its Think Water website to information about greywater systems approved or accredited in other States and Territories.

Regulations

• National Water Commission

Approved systems

• ThinkWater website

The following greywater advice is based on the NSW State Guidelines

Permits:

Council approval is required before installing a Greywater Diversion Device. However, a greywater diversion may be carried out without prior council approval if certain requirements are met. Check with your local council and water authority before proceeding. A licensed plumber must be used to install the diversion device.

Council approval is required before installing and operating a Greywater Treatment System. A council must not approve the installation of a treatment system unless it has been accredited by NSW Health. A licensed plumber must be used to install the treatment system and any associated distribution system (eg irrigation system, third pipe for toilet flushing).

Definitions

Greywater Diversion Devices - Include a hand activated switch that diverts untreated greywater by gravity or pump directly to a sub-surface irrigation system. Greywater from this device is untreated and must only be used for sub-surface irrigation.

Greywater Treatment Systems - collect, store, treat and may disinfect greywater to the standards specified in the NSW Health Domestic Greywater Treatment Systems Accreditation Guidelines (February 2005). They can be installed in residential premises in sewered areas to provide treated greywater for reuse for irrigation (including surface irrigation), toilet flushing and washing machine use.

Manual Bucketing of Greywater enables residents to reuse small quantities of greywater by collecting water in the shower and laundry. Bucketed greywater can be reused for irrigation of gardens, lawns and outdoor pot plants.

For further information

Your local council or water authority

A plumber in NSW

Regulations

• NSW Department of Health guidelines to wastewater / greywater treatment systems
• NSW Department of Health guidelines to wastewater / greywater diversion systems
• NSW Government Water4Life Guidelines for greywater use in sewered, single household residential premises

Approved systems

• NSW Department of Health register of accredited wastewater / greywater treatment systems
• NSW Department of Health register of greywater diversion devices

All on-site wastewater systems require product approval from the NT Department of Health and Families before marketing, sale or installation in the Northern Territory. Register of Product Approved On-site Wastewater Systems.

Regulations

• The NT Government does not have guidelines on the use of greywater; however refer to Technical Fact Sheet on Greywater Reuse

Approved systems

• NT Government – Wastewater management

This advice is taken from the Department of Infrastructure and Planning website of the Queensland State Government November 2010

Using Greywater 

Greywater can be diverted from laundries and bathrooms by:  

• manual bucketing of untreated greywater (except kitchen greywater)
• connecting a flexible hose to a washing machine outlet
• seeking council approval for the installation of greywater diversion device or greywater treatment plant (by licensed plumbers).

Diversion Devices

Greywater diversion devices may be installed for the diversion of untreated greywater. They consist of a filter that screens out hair, lint and other solids. The device must be fitted with a switch to divert greywater through to a subsurface or surface irrigation system. The system must also automatically divert to the sewer if there is a blockage. Homeowners can control irrigation with the volume and type of greywater diverted. Devices must have Water Mark approval and comply with the requirements of the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation. Check approval requirements with your local council prior to purchase of a greywater diversion device. Installation must be completed by a licensed plumber.

A greywater diversion device must be certified under the Water Mark Product Certification Scheme before installation. The device must hold Watermark Level 2 Accreditation at a minimum. Standards Australia can provide more information on this scheme. Consumers and plumbers must satisfy themselves that Water Mark approval has been granted.

Treatment Plants

A greywater treatment plant collects, stores, treats, and disinfects greywater to specific standards. They can be installed in sewered and unsewered areas. The Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code (QPW code) has been amended to provide for the level of treatment required for a particular end use. Details are available in Table T1A, T1B or T1C of the QPW code. Potential end uses include: toilet flushing; laundry use (cold water source to washing machines); vehicle washing; path and wall wash down and; lawn and garden spray irrigation.

Regulations

• Qld Government Department of Infrastructure and Planning Greywater Guidelines for Councils
• Qld Government Department of Infrastructure and Planning Greywater Guidelines for plumbers

Approved systems

• Approved Greywater Diversion Devices
• Approved Greywater Treatment plants

Regulations

• Department of Health, SA information on both diversion and treatment systems

Approved systems

• SA – approval information on both diversion and treatment systems
• Approved Wastewater Products for marketing, sale and installation in South Australia

Regulations

• Tasmania Government - Environment Division - Environmental Guidelines for the Use of Recycled Water in Tasmania

The following greywater advice is based on the Victorian EPA Code of Practice

Untreated greywater (reuse)

Untreated greywater from the bath, shower and clothes washing machine can be bucketed or diverted to water lawns and gardens, as a temporary supply of water during dry weather.

Diversion and bucketing of untreated greywater does not require a council ‘septic tank’ permit. However, to protect public health and the environment, untreated greywater should be reused in accordance with the most recent version of EPA Publication 884, Greywater use around the home, and not stored for longer than 24 hours.

Any changes to plumbing requires a licensed plumber.

Treated greywater (recycling)

Onsite greywater treatment systems can supply treated greywater for uses described in Table 5.1 of the EPA code of practice wastewater guidelines. However, as these systems provide a permanent supply of greywater, and in some cases the greywater is recycled inside the house, more stringent conditions are applied to their installation and use than those applied to temporary bucketing or diversion of untreated greywater.

Therefore, a council permit is required prior to the installation of the system. The system must be operated and maintained in accordance with the council permit and relevant EPA Certificates of Approval to ensure that public health and the environment are protected.

A greywater system must include:

• an EPA-approved greywater treatment system a diversion valve to divert greywater to sewer (or, in unsewered areas, to the blackwater treatment system):
• during wet weather (only where greywater is recycled via irrigation);
• when greywater production exceeds demand; and
• in the event of system failure.

The greywater system may also incorporate:

• a recycling system that includes:
  • one or more effluent irrigation area(s) managed by automatic controls that adjust and match irrigation flows to the needs of the vegetation (e.g., based on soil moisture sensors and/or rain sensors) and/or
  • plumbing to indoor fixtures such as the toilet cistern and/or washing machine.

• A mandatory service contract between the householder and an accredited service agent. The greywater system for a specific site must be designed so that the volume of greywater collected matches the household recycled water needs, including the minimum flows required to maintain effective operation of the treatment system.

These systems are usually priced at over $5,000 and will need to be installed by a plumber.

Existing irrigation systems may not be suitable for the irrigation of treated greywater, as the system may clog. Also, pressurised irrigation systems are generally more reliable than gravity-fed irrigation systems.

Regulations and references

• EPA Victoria – Household greywater reuse
• Contact your Council
• Green Plumbers

Approved systems

• EPA Victoria – Approved Wastewater Treatment Systems (Greywater)

Department of Health WA provides a comprehensive guide to gaining approval for the reuse of Greywater and a list of approved onsite greywater systems.

Regulations

• Government of Western Australia - Department of Health - Public Health page on Greywater
• Including legislation, best practice guidelines and further information

Approved systems

• Department of Health WA – Greywater

In addition to the above guidelines specifically for greywater each state also has recycled water use guidelines. These are not specifically relevant to single house water schemes but may provide useful background information.

• Recycled water in Australia