Save with grey water
Recycle water from washing machines, laundry tubs, showers, hand basins, baths and the kitchen to use in the garden or for flushing the toilet.
Keep a bucket handy
Store a bucket in each of the wet areas in your home to collect your grey water.
- Catch water while washing fruit and vegies in the kitchen sink.
- Catch the warm-up water in the shower.
- Collect water from the final rinse in the laundry.
Use grey water safely
Unless you're using a grey water filtering system, you must use grey water within 24 hours. Also:
- Avoid using grey water on fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw.
- Turn off your grey water diverter when cleaning, bleaching or washing heavily soiled items like dirty nappies.
- Don't use water from the kitchen that is heavily contaminated with fats, grease and solids.
- Choose garden-friendly laundry detergents to avoid damage to plants. Visit the Green Pages website for a product list.
- During wet weather, switch off the diverter, so the water goes back down the sewer to avoid run-off and pollution.
Install a grey water system
Install filters, pumps, pipes and fittings to capture and redirect used laundry and bathroom water to your garden.
If building or renovating, install a system to divert grey water for flushing toilets and cut your water use by up to 20%. The system must meet EPA standards and you'll need council approval.
Check with your council about other grey water do's and don'ts. Contact your local water authority for more information on how to save water.
