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How much water does your garden need?
When planning to use greywater on your garden it is important to
consider how much water you actually need to keep your garden
healthy.
Excessive watering may:
damage plants
increase the risk of soil becoming waterlogged
lead to greywater contaminating natural waterways or seeping
into the groundwater.
1. How much garden do you have to water? Calculate how much land (m2 ) around your house you can water with
greywater. You need to leave a 1.5 m buffer zone from buildings and
a 1 m buffer zone from the boundaries of your property, which is a
legal requirement under the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater
Code.
Greywater flow Average daily litres per person
Bathroom 60
Laundry 35
Total 95
2. How much greywater are you going to divert?
Calculate how much greywater you are likely to generate. Use the
table above as a guide.
Weekly greywater volume (litres/week) = greywater flow (litres/
person/day) x number of persons in the house x seven days
3. How much water do you need?
A good soil (loam) can absorb about 25 litres of water/m 2/week. This
figure will vary depending on your soil type, for example, clay soil
will absorb less.
Maximum greywater needed per week = land (m2 ) x 25 litres
•
•
•
Choosing the right plants and turf for your garden
Not all plants or turf will flourish when greywater is used so it is
not suitable for all gardens. Soils may also be affected with
prolonged use.
Tips for using greywater on turf
Turf is a great way to use greywater, particularly considering the
range of salt concentrations that turf can potentially tolerate.
Turf can absorb and utilise relatively large amounts of nitrogen
and other trace elements often found in greywater.
Generally turf species require less phosphorous (P) than
broadleaf plants. Minimise the phosphorous content by choosing
low P or no P detergents, or only use the washing machine rinse
water or shower greywater.
Turf and greywater tolerance
The following table provides a list of turf species commonly grown in
South East Queensland and indicates their tolerance to greywater.
For advice on additional turf species tolerant of greywater and those
suitable for other parts of Queensland, speak to your local garden
centre or horticultural consultant.
Turf species Yes No
Manila grass ✓
Seashore paspalum/
saltwater couch
✓
Green couch,
Bermuda grass
Alternate fresh
water with
greywater
Buffalo/St Augustine Alternate fresh
water with
greywater
Broadleaf carpet grass ✗
Narrowleaf carpet grass ✗
Blue couch ✗
•
•
•
Queensland the Smart State
>Plants and turf suited to greywater
Helpful hint
It is important that you divert your greywater to the property’s
approved sewerage system during wet weather or when your
garden doesn’t need the water.
Did you know?
The average Australian generates 95 litres of greywater each
day. This makes it an option for residents wanting to keep their
gardens and lawns green, especially when extensive water
restrictions are in place.
WaterWise—Gardening with greywater 22
Published September 2007 #28358
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Tips for using greywater on plants
DO
use greywater on established plants, not on
seedlings or young plants which are more
vulnerable to high concentrations of salt
and nutrients
select plants local to your area that are
greywater tolerant
water during cooler periods of the day when
there is less direct sunlight. Longer, deeper
watering, for 30–60 minutes, once or twice
a week is better than frequent shallowwatering. This allows plants to absorb more
efficiently and prevents salt build-up
apply greywater directly onto the base of
plants or use a council approved irrigation
system to prevent leaf burn
stop using greywater if plants show signs
of distress (such as burning of leaf edges).
Water the area with fresh water to remove
possible salt and nutrient build-up before
commencing greywater reuse.
DON’T
use greywater on plants in pots as the risk
of salt and nutrient build-up is heightened
by the limited soil volume which may
damage the plant’s root system
use greywater on edible parts of herbs,
vegetables and fruit, or allow it to splash
on them
store greywater if it can’t be used
immediately on the lawn or garden.
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✗
✗
✗
Plants and greywater tolerance
The following table provides a list of plants commonly grown in South East
Queensland and indicates their tolerance to greywater.
For advice on additional plant groups tolerant of greywater and those
suitable for other parts of Queensland, speak to your local garden centre or
horticultural consultant.
Additional resourcesMore details on greywater are available in the following
information sheets
1. Domestic greywater use in Queensland3. Improving greywater and soil quality
Queensland Government rebates forgreywater systemsDepartment of Natural Resources and Water
Full details and application forms can be found at<www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water/saverscheme/rebate_schemes>or by calling the hotline on 1800 243 585.
NRW thanks the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
and Lifestyle Horticulture Industry members for their assistance
in producing this information and providing photos.
www.nrw.qld.gov.au
>Plants and turf suited to greywater
✓ Plant groups tolerant of greywater
Melaleuca
Callistemon
Yucca
Dietes
Conifers
Hibiscus
Bird of Paradise
Gardenia
Liliope
Bougainvillea
Herbs
Azaleas
Camelias
Ferns
Vegetable seedlings
Grevillea
Lavender
Citrus
✗ Plant groups not tolerant of greywater
9 3 1 1 6 6 2 1 7 5 9 0 8