Reduce your water wastage by recycling grey water

More and more people are looking to beat the water restrictions and maximise our precious water resources by recycling grey water from their bathroom and laundry.

So what is grey water exactly? "Grey water is water from the bath, shower, hand-basin and washing machine, which many people use to keep their gardens and lawns looking good during the extended drought period," says Leon Stackpole, from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Victoria.

According to Leon, an estimated 61 per cent of an average household's water can be used as grey water, accounting for more than 350 litres a day. This does not include water from the toilet, known as black water, which cannot be reused, or kitchen waste water, which should be avoided due to the fats and solids it contains.

The most suitable grey water comes from your bathroom, or the washing machine rinse cycle. Washing water can also be used, but you need to use a low-salt, phosphorous-free detergent. Water used for washing dirty nappies or animals should never be used.

So how do you recycle grey water? How do you get it from the bathtub or washing machine to the garden?

"Those looking recycle grey water by diverting it straight onto the garden can do so with simple diverter systems available from the hardware store, while those looking to store the water for more than 24 hours must use an EPA-approved system and contact their local council to obtain a permit," says Leon.

Diverter systems can be as simple as bucketing the water onto your garden or fixing a hose to the outlet pipe on your washing machine. More complex systems for recycling grey water must be installed by a plumber, but can make life much easier, with water automatically being diverted through pipes to your garden.

Untreated grey water must be used within 24 hours, as it contains bacteria that can cause an offensive smell. For those who are serious about recycling grey water, treatment systems are available that allow you to store the water for a longer period. This means you can use it for flushing toilets and washing clothes.

When diverting grey water to your garden, keep in mind that it should only be used for watering plants, shrubs and lawns, and not vegetables that are consumed raw. There have been no long-term studies into the effects of grey water on gardens, so it's important to monitor the health of your plants and, if you notice any adverse effects, rest the area for a while.