Installation of Permanent Onsite Domestic Greywater Systems
Greywater systems may consist of all flows from the collection system within the house / building except for toilet waste. Individual site or environmental considerations identified by Departmental officers when assessing the application may require the applicant to provide more details. (Guides are also available for reedbed and composting toilets or other blackwater systems.) This guide specifies the information that must be provided with the application for assessment by DH for approval. Some treatment options have been provided.
1 Introduction
Types of greywater systems
Greywater systems can be separated into two types: Domestic Greywater Diversion Devices, which divert greywater without storage or treatment, and Domestic Greywater Treatment Systems, which collect and treat greywater to a higher quality.
Note: For information on the temporary use of greywater including manual bucketing, see the factsheet –Manual Bucketing of Greywater.
Product and installation approvals
Product approvals are required for devices that divert, treat or reuse greywater before they are sold and or marketed in South Australia. Approvals are issued by the Department of Health. Details on product approvals for greywater systems can be found in the document Draft Guidelines for Permanent Onsite Domestic Greywater Systems: Greywater Products and Installation.
An installation approval is required for approved devices that divert, treat or reuse greywater. Installation approvals from the relevant authority incorporate product approval requirements and instructions provided by the product manufacturer. An application fee is charged for installation approvals and for inspections as required by the relevant authority. Where it is intended to install a greywater treatment / diversion system in a sewered (or other reticulated system) area, approval must be obtained from the owner/operator of the system. All greywater systems must be installed by a licensed plumber. Note: Installation of greywater systems must take into account the Department of Health requirements for setback distances outlined in SAHC Code Waste Control Systems- Standard for the Construction, Installation and Operation of Septic Tank Systems in South Australia and Supplement B - Aerobic Wastewater Treatment Systems.
2 Location & site characteristics
The following information must be included in an application to install a greywater system:
- A plan showing detailed directions to locate the property
- A scaled plan of the property and all nearby land and buildings and the use to which the property and nearby land is put
- A site plan showing the location of the house / building, boundaries, recreation areas, greywater treatment or diversion system, disposal area of final effluent and blackwater treatment and/or disposal unit
- Details of site characteristics, such as topography, proximity to any watercourses, bores, marine environment, etc
- Soil assessment reports for the irrigation/disposal area as determined by the relevant authority
3 Treatment & disposal of all wastewater
A greywater system is part of an overall property wastewater management system. Information on the management of the whole system is required as part of the application. Method of black water (toilet waste) treatment and disposal
Options include:
- A composting toilet or other type of blackwater treatment / disposal system approved for installation in SA for blackwater
- A septic tank (for a minimum of six persons) with effluent disposal by subsurface disposal or connection to a STEDS
- Connection to an SA Water sewerage system or a private or a council scheme
4 Method of greywater diversion / treatment
Options include:
- A 1620 L septic tank or other type of primary treatment for greywater approved for installation in SA with sub-surface disposal of effluent.
- A reedbed system achieving secondary treatment.
- Other greywater treatment systems approved for installation in SA. Effluent disposal options and requirements are specific to each system
Installation of Permanent Onsite Domestic Greywater Systems - November 2006 Page 1 of 2 Installation of Permanent Greywater Systems
- A greywater diversion system approved for installation in SA. In this case irrigation is to be via a sub-surface irrigation system, with requirements specific to each system.
5 Disposal & irrigation options
- Sub-surface disposal and surface irrigation systems are to be designed in accordance with the SAHC Code Waste Control Systems- Standard for the Construction, Installation and Operation of Septic Tank Systems in South Australia and Supplement B - Aerobic Wastewater Treatment Systems.
- Sub-surface irrigation systems are to be designed in accordance with AS/NZS 1547 - Onsite Domestic Wastewater Management and / or the relevant authority’s requirements. AS/NZS 1547 may be followed for other soakage, or spray and drip irrigation systems.
Method of greywater reuse
For greywater diversion devices:
- Land application is to be via approved subsurface disposal or subsurface irrigation (provided soil testing is undertaken for each installation;
- A dedicated irrigation area is required for irrigation using a greywater diversion device. Irrigation of vegetable patches and other plants used for human consumption is not permitted. Irrigation of fruit and nut trees is allowed in some circumstances.
For greywater treatment systems achieving secondary treatment:
- Land application can be via surface or shallow subsurface irrigation, or subsurface disposal.
- A dedicated irrigation area is required for treated greywater of secondary quality. Irrigation of vegetable patches and other plants used for human consumption is not permitted. Irrigation of fruit and nut trees is allowed in some circumstances.
- For greywater effluent to be used for toilet flushing and unrestricted garden use
As determined by the Department of Health, effluent from greywater treatment systems which meets the required water quality criteria can be used for:
- Toilet flushing; and
- Unrestricted garden watering
- Adequate diversion of surface waters around the greywater treated effluent (reclaimed water) sub-surface disposal or irrigation area is required and the details must be included in the application
Effluent quality requirements
Effluent quality requirements for household applications are outlined in the Draft Guidelines for Permanent Onsite Domestic Greywater Systems: Greywater Products and Installation. The Department of Health will determine effluent quality requirements for larger applications.
6 Operation & maintenance
- Low phosphorous detergents should be used where greywater is recycled for land applications
- The greywater system is to be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, Department of Health product approval, Relevant Authority’s installation approval and any other SA Water requirements
Greywater Guidelines
What is greywater ?
Greywater is wastewater generated from:
- Bathrooms - showers, baths, spas and hand basins. This does not include toilet wastewater.
Laundries - washing machines, troughs.
Greywater characteristics:
The quality of greywater can vary due to factors such as number of household occupants, their age, lifestyle, health, water source and products used (for example, soaps, shampoos and detergents).
Greywater may contain:
- Disease-causing organisms from nappies and soiled clothing
- Chemicals from soaps, shampoos, dyes, mouthwash, toothpaste, detergents, bleaches and disinfectants may be moderately saline and have a high pH.
- Dirt, lint, food scraps, hair, body cells and fats and traces of faeces, urine, and blood. However, you can reduce the risks presented by these contaminants through good management practices.
How can greywater be used?
Greywater has many uses and should be treated in different ways to reduce the risks and get the most benefits.
Outdoors:
- Garden irrigation. For this you do not need to treat the greywater first, in particular, you should not use greywater to irrigate fruit, vegetables or areas where fruit can fall to the ground and be eaten.
- Car washing.You will need to treat the greywater first.
Indoors:
-
Bathroom and laundry. You need to treat the greywater first for use indoors. When you flush the toilet you create an aerosol-like effect and potential splashing may occur, so greywater must be treated to a certain standard to protect your health. In addition, some problems have been experienced with toilet cisterns operating on greywater due to microbial growth interfering with the flushing operation.
Therefore, As greywater quality can be poor, it may affect public health if it is not used appropriately. guidelines have been developed to help people who are considering using greywater at home
Methods for distributing greywater:
There are two key ways to use greywater – either through temporary bucketing/hosing, or through a permanently plumbed [fixed] system. Permanently plumbed systems include:
- Domestic greywater diversion devices which divert greywater without storage or treatment
- Domestic greywater treatment systems which collect and treat greywater to a higher quality
MANUAL BUCKETING AND HOSING OF GREYWATER
This refers to manual transfer of greywater to lawn and garden areas from the bathroom or laundry, or temporary use of a hose manually fitted to the washing machine outlet hose. If you wish to do this:
Step 1: Either phone the Department of Health for information or click here to view the Department’s fact sheet on Manual greywater use.
No formal approvals are required.
PERMANENTLY PLUMBED GREYWATER DEVICES IN SA WATER SEWERED SYSTEMS
This refers to fixed devices. These steps are required if your property is connected to the sewer or to a septic system in a sewered area:
Step 1: Apply to the Department of Health for approval to install a permanent diversion device (an application fee applies).
Inquiries: Wastewater Management Section – phone 8226 7100
Step 2: Contact SA Water for an ‘Installation of Greywater System in Sewered Area’ form and return this form to:
SA Water Development Services, Building H, East Terrace, Thebarton SA 5031
Supporting documentation, including approval from the Department of Health and details of the installation/unit must be included (no application fee required). Inquiries: SA Water Standard & Legislation Manager – phone 8207 1400 or Senior Compliance Officer – phone 8463 6055
Step 3: SA Water will consider and assess the application to ensure it meets regulatory and legislative requirements and approval will:
- Provide a conditional authorisation
- Require the diversion device to have an approved WaterMark
- Require the system to be installed by a licensed plumber
Once the device has been installed and audited an encumbrance will be placed on the property.
Step 4: Arrange for a licensed plumber to install the diversion device in accordance with the AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing standards. Upon the installation of the device, the plumber shall issue a Certificate of Compliance providing a copy of the documentation to both SA Water and the property owner within 7 days of completing the work.
Step 5: SA Water will audit the property at no charge to the applicant to ensure the device has been installed in line with the conditions of authorisation and current plumbing standards.
Step 6: SA Water will arrange an encumbrance to be issued on the property to record the presence of the device. This will be sent to the applicant upon completion.
PERMANENTLY PLUMBED GREYWATER DEVICES - IN NON-SA WATER SEWERED SYSTEMS
This refers to fixed devices. These steps are required if your property is in a non- SA Water sewered area (ie areas that are privately sewered, or have no common drainage system or where there is a Septic Tank Effluent Disposal System (STEDS) :
Step 1: Apply to the Department of Health for approval to install a permanent diversion device (an application fee applies).
Inquiries: Wastewater Management Section – phone 8226 7100
Step 2: Seek approval from your local council to divert greywater from your septic tank or from any common Drainage system eg STEDS.
Inquiries: Environmental Health Officer at your local council
Step 3: Arrange a licensed plumber to install the device in accordance with AS/NZS 3500 plumbing standards.
More information
See Draft Guidelines for Permanent Onsite Domestic Greywater Systems: Greywater Products and Installation for information on product approvals.
See the factsheet – Manual Bucketing of Greywater for information on the temporary use of greywater.
Contact
ABN 97 643 356 590
Wastewater Management Section
Environmental Health Service Department of Health
CGU Building 150 Grenfell St ADELAIDE SA 5000
PO Box 6 Rundle Mall ADELAIDE SA 5000
Telephone: (08) 8226-7100
Fax: (08) 8226-7102
Email:
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Web: www.health.sa.gov.au/pehs/environ-health-index.htm
