SHADES OF GREYWATER

In many households, greywater is a large and untapped resource. Reusing at least some of your waste water on site fits in with permaculture principles, reducing your impact on the environment as no resources are being used to process it off-site. For the many areas of Australia that have been in drought for years, with garden water availability either limited or curtailed, greywater may be the only way to have a garden.

Of course, there are caveats. The regulations governing the use of greywater vary considerably, so check with your local council to make sure its use is permitted in your area. Some areas allow diverted greywater to be used; others only greywater that has been through an approved treatment system. Also, remember that greywater should not be used if there is no need for irrigation normally.

Another commonly asked question is whether greywater can be used on veggies, herbs or fruit trees. The answer lies in gaining an understanding of what greywater is and how it can be safely used.