Steplight

Reusing greywater on our gardens can save as much as 50,000 litres of drinking water per household per year.

Greywater is the wastewater from household appliances including: Showers, Baths, Basins, Sinks, Washing Machines & Dishwashers – rinse cycle only.

Reusing greywater has health implications for ourselves and the environment so we need to follow a few simple steps to keep our families safe and our garden soils healthy.

Greywater is reused regularly in many households. These basic do’s and don’ts of greywater reuse gleaned from NSW Health, Sydney Water and the Australian Technology Association provide simple easy-to-follow steps.

Do’s and Don’ts of Greywater use

· Wash your hands after watering with greywater

· Use garden-friendly cleaning products that are biodegradable and low in sodium and phosphorous

· Do pipe greywater underground or under mulch to water your garden

· Irrigate your ornamentals and orchards, making sure greywater is not in direct contact with fruit

· Regularly check your greywater system is working properly

· Divert greywater to sewer during wet periods

· Stop using greywater if someone in the household is sick

· Don’t use greywater that has disinfectants and bleaches in it

· Don’t store untreated greywater for more than 24 hours

· Don’t use greywater to water vegetables and herbs that are to be eaten raw or partially cooked

· Don’t use greywater sourced from washing nappies or soiled clothes

· Don’t use greywater from kitchens, unless it has been treated

· Don’t let greywater leave your property

· Don’t use greywater that is still hot as it will kill beneficial organisms in the soil

· Don’t spray or hose greywater.

What we put in our water has an environmental effect where the wastewater ends up, including where we reuse greywater in our own backyards.

The elements or chemicals in greywater can alter the condition of soils by changing their chemical composition and structure, changing soil pH and the ability of plants to absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. Soil pH testing kits and soil conditioners are available from any plant nurseries.

Laundry Detergents

Choose laundry detergents that are low in sodium and phosphorous. Liquid laundry detergents tend to have lower sodium content than powdered laundry detergents. Lanfax Labs have done extensive testing of laundry detergent brands and types to determine levels of sodium and phosphorous content. www.lanfaxlabs.com.au

Soaps, Shampoos

· Avoid all hard soaps due to high salt content

· Avoid products containing zinc

· Choose products with low sodium and low phosphorous content

· Choose body washes in preference to hard soaps, as there are no problems with soil pH being altered

· Sodium level in most shampoos and conditioners is low

· Hair conditioners tend to produce a low pH in soils and shampoos tend to produce a slightly higher pH in soils. As these are usually used together they are unlikely to alter soil pH.

NSW Health ‘Greywater reuse in sewered single domestic premises’, April 2000, www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Water, greywater education materials, http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Education/SecondaryTeachers/Wheredoeswatergo/reusinggreywtr.cfm

The Australian Technology Association, articles published in ReNew, www.ata.org.au

Lanfax Labs www.lanfaxlabs.com.au