2

How much water does your garden need?

When planning to use greywater on your garden it is important to
WaterWise—Gardening with greywater
>Plants and turf suited to greywater

Choosing the right plants and turf for your garden

Not all plants or turf will flourish when greywater is used so it is
consider how much water you actually need to keep your garden not suitable for all gardens. Soils may also be affected with
healthy. prolonged use.

Excessive watering may:

• damage plants
Did you know?
• increase the risk of soil becoming waterlogged The average Australian generates 95 litres of greywater each
• lead to greywater contaminating natural waterways or seeping day. This makes it an option for residents wanting to keep their
into the groundwater. gardens and lawns green, especially when extensive water
restrictions are in place.
1. How much garden do you have to water?
Calculate how much land (m2) around your house you can water with Tips for using greywater on turf
greywater. You need to leave a 1.5 m buffer zone from buildings and
• Turf is a great way to use greywater, particularly considering the
a 1 m buffer zone from the boundaries of your property, which is a
range of salt concentrations that turf can potentially tolerate.
legal requirement under the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater
Code. • Turf can absorb and utilise relatively large amounts of nitrogen
and other trace elements often found in greywater.
Greywater flow Average daily litres per person • Generally turf species require less phosphorous (P) than
broadleaf plants. Minimise the phosphorous content by choosing
Bathroom 60
low P or no P detergents, or only use the washing machine rinse
Laundry 35 water or shower greywater.
Total 95 Turf and greywater tolerance
2. How much greywater are you going to divert? The following table provides a list of turf species commonly grown in
South East Queensland and indicates their tolerance to greywater.
Calculate how much greywater you are likely to generate. Use the
table above as a guide. For advice on additional turf species tolerant of greywater and those
suitable for other parts of Queensland, speak to your local garden
Weekly greywater volume (litres/week) = greywater flow (litres/
centre or horticultural consultant.
person/day) x number of persons in the house x seven days

3. How much water do you need? Turf species Yes No

A good soil (loam) can absorb about 25 litres of water/m2/week. This Manila grass ✓
figure will vary depending on your soil type, for example, clay soil
will absorb less.
Seashore paspalum/ ✓
saltwater couch
Maximum greywater needed per week = land (m2) x 25 litres
Green couch, Alternate fresh
Bermuda grass water with
Helpful hint greywater

It is important that you divert your greywater to the property’s Buffalo/St Augustine Alternate fresh
approved sewerage system during wet weather or when your water with
garden doesn’t need the water. greywater

Broadleaf carpet grass ✗

Narrowleaf carpet grass ✗
Blue couch ✗

Published September 2007 #28358

Queensland the Smart State

>Plants and turf suited to greywater

www.nrw.qld.gov.au
Tips for using greywater on plants

DO Plants and greywater tolerance

The following table provides a list of plants commonly grown in South East
✓ use greywater on established plants, not on Queensland and indicates their tolerance to greywater.
seedlings or young plants which are more
vulnerable to high concentrations of salt For advice on additional plant groups tolerant of greywater and those
and nutrients suitable for other parts of Queensland, speak to your local garden centre or
horticultural consultant.
✓ select plants local to your area that are
greywater tolerant
✓ Plant groups tolerant of greywater
✓ 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 shallow
watering. This allows plants to absorb more
efficiently and prevents salt build-up
Bird of Paradise Melaleuca Dietes
✓ 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 Gardenia Callistemon Conifers
possible salt and nutrient build-up before
commencing greywater reuse.

DON’T Liliope Yucca Hibiscus

✗ use greywater on plants in pots as the risk

of salt and nutrient build-up is heightened
by the limited soil volume which may
✗ Plant groups not tolerant of greywater
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 Grevillea Bougainvillea Camelias
immediately on the lawn or garden.

NRW thanks the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

and Lifestyle Horticulture Industry members for their assistance Lavender Herbs Ferns
in producing this information and providing photos.

Additional resources
More details on greywater are available in the following
information sheets
1. Domestic greywater use in Queensland
3. Improving greywater and soil quality Citrus Azaleas Vegetable seedlings

Queensland Government rebates for

greywater systems
Department 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. 9 311662 175908