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How much water does your garden need?

When planning to use greywater on your garden it is important to

consider how much water you actually need to keep your garden

healthy.

Excessive watering may:

damage plants

increase the risk of soil becoming waterlogged

lead to greywater contaminating natural waterways or seeping

into the groundwater.

1. How much garden do you have to water? Calculate how much land (m2 ) around your house you can water with

greywater. You need to leave a 1.5 m buffer zone from buildings and

a 1 m buffer zone from the boundaries of your property, which is a

legal requirement under the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater 

Code.

Greywater flow Average daily litres per person

Bathroom 60

Laundry 35

Total 95

2. How much greywater are you going to divert? 

Calculate how much greywater you are likely to generate. Use the

table above as a guide.

Weekly greywater volume (litres/week) = greywater flow (litres/

person/day) x number of persons in the house x seven days

 3. How much water do you need? 

A good soil (loam) can absorb about 25 litres of water/m 2/week. This

figure will vary depending on your soil type, for example, clay soil

will absorb less.

Maximum greywater needed per week = land (m2 ) x 25 litres

•

•

•

Choosing the right plants and turf for your garden

Not all plants or turf will flourish when greywater is used so it is

not suitable for all gardens. Soils may also be affected with

prolonged use.

Tips for using greywater on turf 

Turf is a great way to use greywater, particularly considering the

range of salt concentrations that turf can potentially tolerate.

Turf can absorb and utilise relatively large amounts of nitrogen

and other trace elements often found in greywater.

Generally turf species require less phosphorous (P) than

broadleaf plants. Minimise the phosphorous content by choosing

low P or no P detergents, or only use the washing machine rinse

water or shower greywater.

Turf and greywater tolerance

The following table provides a list of turf species commonly grown in

South East Queensland and indicates their tolerance to greywater.

For advice on additional turf species tolerant of greywater and those

suitable for other parts of Queensland, speak to your local garden

centre or horticultural consultant.

Turf species Yes No

Manila grass ✓

Seashore paspalum/

saltwater couch

✓

Green couch,

Bermuda grass

Alternate fresh

water with

greywater 

Buffalo/St Augustine Alternate fresh

water with

greywater 

Broadleaf carpet grass ✗

Narrowleaf carpet grass ✗

Blue couch ✗

•

•

•

Queensland the Smart State

>Plants and turf suited to greywater 

Helpful hint

It is important that you divert your greywater to the property’s

approved sewerage system during wet weather or when your 

garden doesn’t need the water.

Did you know?

The average Australian generates 95 litres of greywater each

day. This makes it an option for residents wanting to keep their 

gardens and lawns green, especially when extensive water 

restrictions are in place.

WaterWise—Gardening with greywater 22

Published September 2007 #28358

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Tips for using greywater on plants

DO

use greywater on established plants, not on

seedlings or young plants which are more

vulnerable to high concentrations of salt

and nutrients

select plants local to your area that are

greywater tolerant

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 shallowwatering. This allows plants to absorb more

efficiently and prevents salt build-up

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

possible salt and nutrient build-up before

commencing greywater reuse.

DON’T

use greywater on plants in pots as the risk

of salt and nutrient build-up is heightened

by the limited soil volume which may

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

immediately on the lawn or garden.

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✗

✗

✗

Plants and greywater tolerance

The following table provides a list of plants commonly grown in South East

Queensland and indicates their tolerance to greywater.

For advice on additional plant groups tolerant of greywater and those

suitable for other parts of Queensland, speak to your local garden centre or 

horticultural consultant.

 Additional resourcesMore details on greywater are available in the following

information sheets

1. Domestic greywater use in Queensland3. Improving greywater and soil quality

Queensland Government rebates forgreywater systemsDepartment 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.

NRW thanks the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

and Lifestyle Horticulture Industry members for their assistance

in producing this information and providing photos.

www.nrw.qld.gov.au

>Plants and turf suited to greywater 

✓ Plant groups tolerant of greywater 

Melaleuca

Callistemon

 Yucca

Dietes

Conifers

Hibiscus

Bird of Paradise

Gardenia

Liliope

Bougainvillea

Herbs

Azaleas

Camelias

Ferns

Vegetable seedlings

Grevillea

Lavender 

Citrus

✗ Plant groups not  tolerant of greywater 

9 3 1 1 6 6 2 1 7 5 9 0 8