The term `greywater' is becoming more widely used, as media, society and governments become more concerned about our environment and the measures we can take to reduce our "ecological footprint". But what exactly is `grey water'?
The term refers to household waste water that comes from the laundry and bathroom (bath, shower etc.). Recycling household greywater in the garden is an ideal way to reduce water usage, save money - and keep your garden healthy.
The average home creates up to 83,000 litres of greywater every year, and unlike rainwater, it's available anytime you wash or shower.
There are a few different ways to use greywater - whether you collect the water in buckets and then spread over the garden, connect a hose from the washing machine to runoff in the garden, or applying for your local council to install an above or below ground system to divert
bathroom and laundry greywater.
When collecting and using greywater, make sure you are using environmentally friendly detergents and that it is free from greases and oils. Avoid skin contact with it and do not use it on edible parts of fruits, herbs and vegetables. Refrain from using grey water if there has recently been heavy rainfall, as it won't be absorbed in saturated soils.
