How to use greywater in the garden | DIY Garden Projects | Gardening Australia

Want to know how to use greywater? Wondering if it's safe for your plants? Diverting greywater is an important way of saving water and keeping thirsty plants alive during drought and in our increasingly dry climate. Josh shows us how greywater systems work 0:51 and 3:59 which plants can thrive on recycled water.
The diversion of greywater from the house and into the garden is a ripper way of irrigating our precious green spaces in these times of low rainfall and water restrictions. When done correctly, it is an excellent way of saving water and money. It is amazing to think that one average household (2.5 people) expels 124 100 litres of greywater a year! (from www.westernwater.vic.gov.au) That’s more water than most established gardens need in the same period. And, unlike rainwater, greywater is available all year round, regardless of the weather and the water restrictions!
Remember to check with local authorities regarding the regulations of using greywater in your area.
WHAT IS GREYWATER?
Greywater is technically household wastewater from the laundry (including the washing machine and tubs) and the bathroom (including showers, baths and basins). It is worth noting that the greywater we are talking about is untreated greywater (that is, greywater that has not been modified or had its quality improved by an approved greywater treatment system). Toilet water and kitchen wastewater are regarded as blackwater and are not suitable for reuse in domestic gardens, due to the potentially high levels of bacteria, fats and solids contained in this wastewater.
KEEPING GREYWATER SAFE
If you are wanting to give greywater a go, remember that chemicals that are designed to kill household bugs will most likely kill beneficial bugs in the soil as well. To keep your garden happy and healthy, think carefully about the products you use inside the house, and what negative affect that will have outside e.g.: disinfectants, hair dye, bleach, cleaners. Petroleum based products such as some detergents and optical brighteners should be avoided - they are slow to bio-degrade and can be damaging to soil biota. Use products that are biodegradable, low in salts, and specifically intended for greywater use, and allow your gardens to rest and recover from greywater irrigation over the cooler or wetter months of the year. Water that has been used to wash nappies should NEVER be used in the garden, due to the possibility of faecal matter in the water.
USING GREYWATER ON PLANTS
Is it okay to use greywater on all your plants? In short - no. Greywater is great for lawns, trees and most ornamental gardens…even native plantings, but it’s important to remember that it is variable. The quality can vary dramatically depending on the types of detergents and products that are used, which can have a significant impact on soil and plant health over time. Maintaining soil health by adding plenty of organic matter is essential (even more than usual) to counteract the effects of additional salts carried in the greywater. It may also help to buffer any changes to pH due to increased alkalinity of many detergents. Keep an eye on your soil, checking on pH and moisture retention regularly. Only water your plants as required - just because you are diverting greywater doesn’t mean you have to use it if your plants don’t need it.
Given where some greywater comes from, it can contain germs and bacteria from our bodies, so it’s not a great idea to put this on our vegies and herbs, particularly those that we like to eat raw….for obvious reasons. It’s fine for things like edible vines and fruit trees, where there isn’t the chance of contact between the edible part of the plant and our greywater. Bear in mind, it can be a bit alkaline, so don’t overdo it on acid-loving plants like camellias, azaleas or berries.
Avoid irrigating pots and containers with greywater as well. Soil being irrigated with greywater needs active soil microbes to maintain a balanced and healthy system - this generally doesn’t exist in pots and you can quickly sour a potting mix with applications of greywater. Greywater should also be dispersed below the soil surface, which is tricky to do in pots.
Greywater is great… an awesome resource that, when used correctly and cleverly, can water our gardens and save our precious drinking water for drinking.
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[@sidneyboo9704]

I collect water in a bucket when I wash vegetables only. Amazing how much water you use to wash veggies.

[@maryannecarter2632]

I use a hose that I attach manually to the washing machine. I only let the rinse water go on to the garden and rotate the first rinse so it doesn't end up on the same section of garden.

[@eco-friendlylifestyle4789]

Finally I got the video which i am looking for, we can call this method a 100% sustainable where the grey water is reusing to grow many plants and herbs. Almost every house waste alot of water/grey water which is directly polluting the ground water aquifers, by utilising these type of sustainable methods we can save many of our natural resources. Thanks for making such informative and sustainable video..

[@jeffreyjain4009]

Hi there, if you would like any further information about a distributor near you, please give me a shout and we can connect you to a system that suits your needs. Thanks for your kind words.

[@suzannebonham583]

Your garden is beautiful and your presentation is easy to watch and understand, and inspiring! Thank you

[@johns6119]

Beautiful video

[@lamiabouziri7605]

Really interesting! Thank you for this didactic video

[@kermitefrog64]

This is the same problem in California. There needs to be a way to use all our grey water rather than have it go to the septic plant.

[@2be1withU]

Doesn't septic tank overflow into the ground anyway?

[@jeffreyjain4009]

@@2be1withU Really good points! Our systems manufactured by Advanced Waste Water Systems here in Australia also have a representative in California, and we would be happy to connect you. Septic systems are biological in that they break down solids with bacterial action and then when they discharge to the environment ideally they are sufficiently denatured so as to add value to soil. The problem can be the overuse of anti bacterial soaps, bleach, and other things which stifle this bacterial process, ie, greywater from shower, laundry. Also, they usually operate best when there is higher concentrations and less dilution. Our systems take the lightly used water and divert away from septic and add value to your landscape directly, and also add years to the life of a septic tank. Please give me a shout if you would like more information! Jeff

[@fishingphill]

Have just installed the Ezgrey from greyflow (the grey unit you showed). It's fantastic. Thanks for the extra tips about the foliage spray 👍

[@jeffreyjain4009]

Hi there, just wanted to thank you for your kind words on behalf of the manufacturer!

[@DovidM]

This is a good presentation of how to best manage greywater in the garden. I’ve heard people urge that you get your soil tested periodically to warn you if the soil biota is being negatively impacted. It is possible to get a simple Ph test and a report on the relative amounts of trace minerals but I’ve not found a lab that assessed the health of the soil biota directly.

[@jeffreyjain4009]

Hi, I work with the company showcased here, and you raise some real concerns. About the health of soil affected by greywater itself, the only concern is that households reduce amounts of phosphate soaps, otherwise the biological residues from showers are all nutrient adding to the soil. Like this presentation, our customers are amazed by the plug and play nature of watering and feeding their trees and shrubs.

[@lis819]

You have a beautiful house …

[@paulenej5839]

Can the water from the large system be run through a waterline under the lawn

[@shakiraarends3385]

Can laundry water be used to a pond ..or is there anyway it can be used ?

[@jeffreyjain4009]

most US and Australian governments, municipalities/shires have public health protocols on air borne greywater being potentially hazardous. The laws generally address water borne diseases, and vector borne, so mosquitoes carrying disease, and viral/bacterial ponds being breeding grounds for disease. Our systems are compliant with these laws by being sub-surface, so buried drip line. Also we distribute widely, so all the garden gets watered and you optimize tree health. Studies on root ball penetration show the lives of trees and shrubs significantly improve by even a few centimeters of depth added to root ball soil penetration.

[@gitaxias]

Grey water has detergent from soap and the like, don't they? Won't it kill off the plants before they're treated or filtered to some extent?

[@oscarolivas1806]

Use kind and natural detergents and soaps like Dr Bonners if you use bleach to wash your kitchen or shower and water your plants you are right they won't like that

[@jeffreyjain4009]

Hi Jeff from the company showcased here: yes you are spot-on. When we do sell our systems we highly recomment shifting to phosphate free soaps and detergents. However, if the family want to wash with stronger soaps of Chlorine, you can shift the system to discharge to sewer easily for one wash, and then put it back to garden once complete.

[@ExtractK]

But will the laundry soap make the veggies taste weird?

[@jeffreyjain4009]

You can use natural and phosphate free soaps. And you if you need the occaisional heavy duty clean with the stronger detergent, you can shift it off to sewer, and then back to gardens once complete. If you have any questions you can contact us directly.

[@paulenej5839]

I thought he said not use the gray water on vegies

[@kathynix6552]

I tested our dishwashing liquid and it was acidic

[@nusratleena463]

K

[@cheria9399]

But some people pee in the shower

[@pikarat_nova]

Pee is actually great for plants and vegetables. I know, the best fertilizer is in our own body. If you’re interested, check out some videos about the use of pee on gardens and its effects.

[@DovidM]

Medications that you may be taking will be present in the urine. Fine for ornamentals but questionable for things you intend to eat.

[@lizbee726]

Pee water is recommended for the compost bin too. 😂😂🙏🙏

[@sidneyboo9704]

@@DovidM Truth! If you are taking medication, best avoid pee

[@satancelery]

@@DovidM save money on medication by taking it twice!

[@ShmooyShmoo]

I have my kitchen sink re routed to a large fruit tree. No filter.

[@nusratleena463]

Bade chanl

[@williambeasley6448]

😂 how much would it cost to do a grey water irrigation system for a garden that would be in a bicycle rack in the back of my van?

[@jeffreyjain4009]

please send me an email directly and we can sort it out.

[@QueXLcior]

I love You2b 🤍❤️