South East Waters Household Greywater Reuse Guidelines

Based on The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Publication 812 (Nov. 2001) Reuse
Options for Household Wastewater
(For more information visit http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/localgov/ )
South East Water supports the concept of water conservation and reuse of household greywater but,
any reuse of household greywater, must be done in a way that sustainably protects human health and
the environment with a risk level equal to (or less) than that associated with discharging to the sewer.
What is Greywater?
Greywater, sometimes referred to as sullage, consists of all non-toilet household wastewater. It
includes wastewater from showers, baths, spas, hand basins, washing machines, laundry troughs,
dishwashers and kitchen sinks.
What is household wastewater?
Household Wastewater, sometimes referred to as sewage, is all household wastewater consisting of
greywater and water from the toilet.
Can I divert my Household Greywater to my garden?
South East Water recognises that some customers may want to divert untreated greywater for
irrigation of their garden during warm dry weather. The table below lists permitted uses of household
greywater and the requirements to be addressed prior to use.
Can I store my household greywater for later use?
In some cases customers may wish to store greywater for later use. In this case treatment is required.
According to the Environment Protection Act (1970) any household wastewater system that treats
household wastes is classified as a septic tank system and needs approval from EPA and the issue of
a Council septic tank permit prior to installation. That is, greywater treatment is to be managed the
same as household wastewater treatment. The table below lists permitted uses of household
greywater and the requirements to be addressed prior to use.
Management of health, environmental risks and legal liabilities.
Management of health and environmental risks as well as legal liabilities are described in EPA
Publication 812 (For more information visit http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/localgov/ ). In general, warning
signs should be displayed noting that recycled water is present and to avoid contact and do not drink.
You should ensure that the recycled water does not come in contact with people, animals or any crop
intended for human consumption.
The EPA has expressed a preference that all household wastes to go to sewer in sewered areas.
Reuse of household wastewater for irrigation outside sewered areas can be undertaken in
accordance with EPA Publications 451, Code of Practice Septic Tanks (Available from the EPA)
and Certificate of approval CA 35/93 Surface Irrigation.

South East Waters Household Greywater Reuse Guidelines

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Permitted uses of household greywater and requirements

Permitted Uses
Requirements
Irrigate only in warm dry weather.
1. Direct Diversion of untreated
All greywater diversion works to be undertaken by a
greywater for irrigation
licensed or registered plumber.
Not create a public health hazard
Not create an environmental hazard.
Not create a nuisance.
Management of health and environmental risks as well as
legal liabilities are described in EPA Publication 812.

2. Storage and treatment of

greywater for irrigation. (Other

than direct diversion)

The EPA publication 812 states

that any system, which stores
greywater, requires the
installation of a system that treats
the greywater prior to irrigation.

Treatment system must be of a type approved by the

EPA.
The irrigation scheme must manage the health and
environmental risks as well as address legal liabilities
described in EPA Publication 812.
The entire scheme (Collection/treatment/reuse) must
be approved by local council and issued with a septic
tank permit prior to installation. (Treatment systems
for flows greater than 5 kilolitres can only be installed
under an EPA Works Approval)
Water quality performance indicators for irrigation
(and toilet flushing) are set out in the table below.
All greywater diversion works to be undertaken by a
licensed or registered plumber.

Note: It is unlikely all wastewater from a typical urban lot could

be used for irrigation without loss to surface or groundwater.
Only that amount of water identified in the Land Capability
Assessment (LCA), carried out in the Council approval process,
shall be made available for irrigation. Employment of either partial
treatment of wastes or diversion to the sewerage system should
be practiced.

3. Toilet Flushing: South East Water considers the use of treated

household greywater is suitable for toilet flushing provided the
requirements for storage and treatment (2.) are met.

Water Quality Requirements

The irrigation quality performance indicators are based on EPAs Publications Code of Practice Septic
Tanks, and Guidelines for Aerated On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems. The EPA guidelines are intended
for irrigation in rural, low-density areas. Irrigation in high-density urban areas may have increased environmental
and health risks and more stringent limits may need to be met.
The performance limits (Toilet Flushing) are based on the New South Wales Health Departments Publication,
Greywater Reuse in Sewered Single Domestic Premises (April 2000)
These quality performance indicators should be addressed on a case-by-case basis during the Council approval
stage.
Performance indicator
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Suspended Solids
E.coli Bacteria (Organisms)
Residual Chlorine

Unit
mg/L
mg/L
Organisms/100mL
mg/L

90th percentiles may be used.

#Not applicable if Ultra Violet disinfection used.

Maximum
20
30
10
#Minimum 0.5

South East Waters Household Greywater Reuse Guidelines

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Permitted uses of household greywater

3.
Toilet flushing
Note:
All Plumbing must be
Undertaken by a Licensed Plumber

Greywater
Bath, Shower,washing machine

1.
Diversion,
Direct Application
(untreated)

No approvals
required

2.
Method of
use

Treatment,
Storage and/or Pumping

Follow Health,
Environmental
and Legal
requirements
set out in EPA
Publication 812.

EPA Approved
Treatment System

Gain Approvals
- Council
- Plumbing

Install Treatment System

Meet quality
requirements

South East Waters Household Greywater Reuse Guidelines

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Typical Household Greywater Reuse System

EPA
APPROVED

Note: It is unlikely all wastewater from

a typical urban lot could be used for
irrigation without loss to surface or
groundwater. Employment of either partial
treatment of wastes or diversion to the
sewerage system should be practiced.

OVERFLOW
TO SEWER

To
Irrigation

X
South East Waters Household Greywater Reuse Guidelines

SCOUR TO
SEWER

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