Greywater dos and donts
DO...
...filter. A simple sink trap (the kind used in kitchen sinks) in the bath, shower and laundry sink will minimise the risk of blocking your garden watering hoses with hair or laundry lint. Also, clean your washing machine lint-catcher regularly.
...prevent leaky joints. Ensure that you get the right type of outlet and hose joints to minimise leakage, and check regularly to spot leakage.
...water enough, not more. Only apply as much greywater on the garden as the soil can absorb. Otherwise you risk creating runoff into neighbouring properties or the stormwater system, which is prohibited.
...choose biodegradable. Use shampoos, detergents and cleaning products that are biodegradable, with low levels of sodium and no added phosphorus in order to maintain the quality of your recycled greywater. It's better for your soil and plants as well as creating healthier waterways.
...wash your hands. Wash your hands after watering the garden with greywater.
...water your garden correctly. When using untreated greywater, direct overhead watering onto ripening vegetables, leafy greens or fruit is not recommended (for instance, hand hose, sprinkler, watering can). Instead, try soaker hoses or drip systems. These are particularly suitable because they deliver water directly to the soil and roots (rather than foliage) and release water slowly enough to minimise runoff.
...rotate, rotate, rotate. Make sure you apply the greywater across the garden and not just in one single spot, to limit the concentrations of sodium and detergents your soil receives.
DON'T...
...re-use water from bleaching or soaking very soiled items. Turn your greywater diverter off when you use your laundry trough to bleach or soak soiled items like nappies. They don't do either your greywater system or your garden any good.
...let kids or pets near greywater. Even when treated, greywater is definitely not for drinking or playing in.
...use greywater from the kitchen. It may contain a high concentration of food wastes and chemicals that are not readily broken down by soil organisms. The exception is the rinse water from vegetables and final dish rinse, which may be suitable for feeding pot plants.
...allow greywater overflow. Don't allow your greywater to overflow beyond your property boundaries in to neighbouring properties or enter stormwater drains; it's prohibited and can cause contamination. For the same reason, turn off your greywater diverter to the garden during heavy downpours; your garden certainly does not need it then and you could cause stormwater contamination.