Approvals

Approvals

Detailed guidance on requirements for residential greywater reuse (including bucketing) is provided in the Department of Health's Code of Practice for the reuse of greywater in Western Australia 2010. This code outlines acceptable greywater reuse practices for use in gardens and multi-dwelling and commercial buildings to reduce the demand on quality ground and surface water. The installation and operation of all greywater systems must comply with the code. All greywater reuse treatment systems have to be approved by the Department of Health and installed by a licensed plumber.

An across-agency approval framework for the use of non-drinking water in Western Australia has been developed to guide proponents of non-drinking water schemes through the approvals process. It applies to the use of non-drinking water options through storage and delivery systems such as managed aquifer recharge and third pipe systems.

The framework does not apply to single household options like greywater systems, ATUs, rainwater tanks and garden bores, unless they are part of an integrated water management system. The local council can provide information on single household option approvals.

Agencies likely to be involved in the approval of greywater reuse systems

1 The local government must seek approval from the Water Corporation, or other responsible sewerage service provider, for the diversion of greywater from the sewer system in relation to possible negative impacts on the sewerage system or wastewater reuse scheme. This approval need be requested only once for each locality. Local governments shall only issue approval for the use of greywater systems in sewered locations where the sewerage service provider has indicated they have no objections.
2 Note: Currently there are no greywater treatment systems approved by the Department of Health for in-house greywater reuse.
3 Depending on the scale of the scheme, DEC might have an approval role for ex-house use.