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
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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.
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