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Ways greywater can be used

There are three ways that greywater can be reused - manual bucketing, greywater diversion devices, and greywater treatment systems.

Manual bucketing involves collecting water from either the washing machine or the shower in a bucket and using it to water your garden. You don't need permission to do this.

Greywater diversion involves installing a greywater diversion device to divert greywater to the garden or lawn via a sub-surface irrigation system. Changes to Section 75A of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 mean that approval is no longer required from your local council to install a licensed greywater diversion device as long as certain conditions are met.

Greywater treatment allows you to use your greywater in more ways. This includes flushing the toilet, in your washing machine and above ground watering of your garden. In order to use your greywater for these applications the water must be treated in an accredited greywater treatment system. The installation and operation of a greywater treatment system requires local council approval and the system must be registered with NSW Health.

For more information on the correct use of greywater, read the 'NSW Guidelines for Sewered Residential Premises (Single Household) Greywater Reuse, available at www.deus.nsw.gov.au.

  Council Approval Product Licenses Permitted end-uses
Manual Bucketing No* None Above ground irrigation
Toilet bowl flushing
Greywater Diversion No** WaterMark License1 Sub-surface irrigation
Greywater Treatment Yes NSW Health accredited Above ground irrigation
Toilet flushing
Washing machine

*Council approval is not required for manual bucketing if greywater is used in accordance with the 'NSW Guideline for Sewered Residential Premises (Single Household) Greywater Reuse', available at www.deus.nsw.gov.au.

**Council approval is not required for greywater diversion devices if the conditions of Section 75A of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 are met.


1Greywater diversion devices with this WaterMark have been licensed to Australian Standards (ATS5200:460).

Smart Approved Watermark