Greywater is domestic wastewater generated from the use of the shower, bath, hand basin, laundry tub, washing machine, kitchen sink and dishwasher.
Greywater is different to wastewater. Household wastewater is composed of two distinct sources:
- Blackwater is contaminated by faeces or urine; it includes wastewater from a toilet, urinal or bidet, nappy-soiled laundry water etc.
- Greywater is the remaining wastewater from the laundry, bathroom and kitchen. Kitchen greywater is not always suitable for gardens as there can be too much grease, oil and detergents.
Greywater may be permitted for use in non-sewered areas. It may also be allowed for use (except for kitchen greywater) within sewered areas under certain conditions to water domestic gardens and lawns. Read more about how to safely use greywater.
Greywater run-off or other issues with greywater can be reported by contacting us.
There are several options that allow you to use greywater legally and safely. Some options require our approval, while others do not.
Check with us to ensure any greywater device you put in place is approved for use. There are some products advertised and on sale that have not been approved for use in Queensland. Always have your devices and systems fitted by a licensed plumber.
Approval required
Approval is required for the following options:
- Installation of a treatment plant generating more than 3kL a day and irrigation system. Approval will be required from the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning as well as us.
- Installation of a surface or sub-surface system.
No approval
Approval is NOT required for:
- A greywater diversion device.
- Manual bucketing.
- Connection of a flexible hose to a washing machine.
- A treatment plant generating less than 3kL a day and irrigation system.
A greywater diversion device is a diversion device that:
- directs and diverts greywater to sanitary drainage or a greywater application area.
- automatically diverts greywater from the facility to sanitary drainage if the facility does not work properly or at all
- allows the manual diversion of greywater from the facility to sanitary drainage.
It is also a filtering system that uses a coarse filter to remove solids from greywater.
How to install a greywater diversion device
Your licensed plumber can install a diversion device as a 'minor work'.
A greywater treatment plant means a treatment plant installed on premises for treating greywater generated on the premises. The plant may collect greywater from laundry, basin, bath and shower waste.
How to install a greywater treatment plant generating less than 3kL a day
Your licensed plumber can install a greywater treatment plant under a QBCC 'Form 4' process.
How to install a greywater treatment plant generating more than 3kL a day
Before your licenced plumber installs a greywater treatment plant with a submitted plan to generate more than 3kL of wastewater a day, you must:
- Submit a Form 1 under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018.
- Submit information showing a treatment plant that has appropriate certification and approvals.
- Submit a soil and site report accompanied by a design from a certified designer of what proposed fixtures will be connected to the treatment plant and the proposed method/position of the irrigation system.
- Submit a site plan showing:
- the location of the greywater application area
- the distances from the greywater application area to the following:
- the boundary of the premises.
- proposed or existing buildings or structures on the premises; any impervious surface on the premises, including, for example, paths for pedestrians and paved areas.
- the connection from the greywater treatment plant to sanitary drainage.
5. Pay the application fee.
Greywater guidelines for plumbers can be found on the Business Queensland website. It has information which can help plumbers assess whether the homeowner has suitable and sufficient land to distribute greywater. Plumbers should use the guidelines to give advice on the purchase and installation costs of greywater systems, prior to the homeowner making an application to us.