Greywater regulations
| State | Summary | Relevant Documents | Contacts | |||||||||
| ACT | Untreated Greywater Diversion – no permit required for single domestic premises. Diversion systems for multi-residential units or commercial properties must prepare a submission.
Where plumbing alterations are required beyond basic direct diversion, they must be carried out by a licensed plumber. The plumber must notify ACT Planning and Land Authority of their activities and lodge a ‘Start of Work Notice’. Treatment Systems – The ACT Government does not formally approve greywater treatment systems. However, normal plumbing approvals are required and can be obtained from the ACT Planning and Land Authority. |
Greywater Use: Guidelines for residential properties in Canberra | ACT Health Ph: 13 88 21 |
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| NSW | Untreated Greywater Diversion – Greywater direct diversion at residential premises may be carried out without the prior approval of the council if the requirements of the NSW Code of Practice: Plumbing and Drainage 3rd Edition 2006 for the reuse of greywater by a greywater diversion device (GDD) are met.
Treatment Systems – A Greywater Treatment System (GTS) requires local government approval and must be accredited by NSW Health prior to the installation and operation. Unsewered areas are not permitted to reuse greywater in NSW. |
NSW guidelines for greywater reuse in sewered, single household residential premises | NSW Office of Water Ph: (02) 8281 7777 |
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| NT | All greywater systems must be product approved by the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) prior to sale or marketing in the NT. NT Government Agencies have administrative responsibility for the installation of greywater systems, which is governed by whether the greywater system is installed within or outside a Building Control Area. Local Government Authorities in the NT have no jurisdiction over the approval or installation of greywater systems. Untreated Greywater Diversion – Within Building Control Areas: no permit or installation approval is required however the Greywater Diverter Device (GDD) must be installed and certified by a self-certifying plumber in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Outside Building Control Areas: no permit or installation approval is required however the GDD must be installed and certified by a licensed plumber in accordance with the requirements of DHCS. Treatment Systems – Within Building Control Areas: The Manufacturer/Agent must notify DHCS of the installation of a Greywater Treatment System (GTS). The GTS must be installed and certified by a licensed plumber in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Outside Building Control Areas: The Manufacturer/Agent must apply to DHCS for a Site Specific Design Approval for a GTS. The GTS must be installed and certified by a licensed plumber in accordance with the Public Health Regulations. |
Environmental Health Information Bulletin No. 2. Greywater Reuse in Single Domestic Premises | Department of Health and Community Services Ph: (08) 8922 7152 |
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| QLD | Untreated Greywater Diversion & Treatment Systems – All greywater use facilities consisting of either a greywater diversion device or greywater treatment plant and greywater land application area must be approved by council. | Gardening with Greywater Fact sheet | Department Infrastructure and Planning Ph: (07) 3227 8548 |
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| SA | Untreated Greywater Diversion & Treatment Systems – Permanent greywater systems such as diversion devices or treatment systems require installation approval from your Council or the Department of Health. However, the temporary use of greywater such as bucketing or hose from washing machine does not require a permit. | Draft Guidelines for Permanent Onsite Domestic Greywater Systems: Greywater Products and Installation | Department of Health Ph: (08) 8226-6000 |
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| TAS | Treatment Systems – In Tasmania council regulations currently state that greywater must be treated (cleaned) before it can be re-used on garden beds or for toilet flushing etc.
Untreated greywater must not be stored and should be disposed of directly onto soil and dispersed widely. |
Greywater Treatment Systems – Sustainable Living Tasmania | Sustainable Living Tasmania Ph: (03) 6234 5566 |
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| VIC | Untreated Greywater Diversion – The direct diversion of untreated greywater does not require a permit in Victoria in sewered areas. However, the reuse of greywater in unsewered areas is considered an alteration to a septic tank and requires a council permit.
Treatment Systems – However the treatment and storage of greywater requires a council permit and the system must be EPA approved. |
EPA publication 884.1 Greywater use around the home
EPA’s Code of practice:Onsite wastewater management (for treatment systems) |
Environment Protection Authority Ph: (03) 9695 2722 |
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| WA | Untreated Greywater Diversion & Treatment Systems – All greywater systems need local council approval and must be approved by the Executive Director, Public Health. For a list of approved systems, please contact the Wastewater Management Section of the Department of Health.
All greywater reuse systems (this does not include bucketing) must irrigate greywater below ground, unless it is treated and disinfected to a secondary effluent standard. No permit required for bucketing greywater. |
Code of Practice for the Reuse of Greywater in Western Australia | Department of Health Ph: (08) 9388 4932 |
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