Stakeholder influencing the implementation of greywater
recycling – a case study
D. E. Weingaertner*
*Institute for Water and River Basin Management – Department of Aquatic Environmental Engineering,
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Gotthard-Franz-Str. 3, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
(E-mail: [email protected])
Abstract
The technical implementation of alternative sanitation systems is well determined. Yet, the long
term operation is often constrained. To identify influences on the implementation of greywater
reclamation, a stakeholder analysis was done in New South Wales, Australia. The main
stakeholders were defined and interdependencies were determined. Thus, recommendations were
developed to improve the current situation. Furthermore, the transferability to other regions is
regarded.
Keywords
Greywater; stakeholder; Australia
INTRODUCTION
Greywater reclamation is a known technology to reduce freshwater demand. Several pilot plants
treating greywater for reuse have been operated by researchers in different countries like Israel,
Germany, and Australia (Pidou et al., 2007). Thus, various technical systems for greywater
reclamation exist and are actually available on the market.
However, greywater reclamation is rarely implemented except for Australia, where 55 % of
households reported greywater as a source of water in 2007 (ABS, 2007).
Thus, Australia was chosen for a case study to determine the driving forces for the
implementation of greywater reclamation. The study was conducted during a 2-month-long research
in Sydney, Australia in spring 2010.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
To understand the context of greywater use in Australia, a socio-economic approach was chosen.
First, the legislative framework was analysed with special regard to approval conditions.
Second, general statistical data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2007, 2010)
and data from greywater related research was overviewed to determine how common greywater
reclamation is and how it is characterised.
Third, individual interviews (n = 7) were performed with experts on the greywater field, including
engineers and manufacturers. The interviews were conducted via telephone, email or on meetings
combined with visits to greywater treatment systems. Questions were addressing technical
information like common sources and reuse applications of greywater, the use and size of diverting
and treatment systems respectively. Furthermore, questions were addressing user motivation and
behaviour, the latter focusing on the readiness of users to adjust their behaviour according to the
demands of a greywater system. Interviewees were also asked to name, based on their experiences,
major difficulties in the current greywater practice.
Eventually, the main stakeholders influencing the implementation of greywater use were identified.
Following the assumption of rational action (Gröbl-Steinbach, 2004) the motivations and objections
to reclaim greywater were determined. Furthermore, the interdependencies between stakeholders
were pointed out. Thus, approaches to manage stakeholder were drawn.
The focus of the research was on New South Wales (NSW), since the states of Australia have
different realisations of the national law.
RESULTS AND DUSCUSSION
Legal framework
The NSW guidelines for greywater reclamation (NSW, 2008) cover single, detached household
premises. According to the guideline, untreated greywater can be used for irrigation by manual
bucketing or a greywater diversion device. While manual bucketing of greywater does not require
prior approval by councils, a licenced greywater diversion device needs to meet the practices and
conditions of the guidelines to be exempted from prior approval (NSW, 2008: section B). Yet, the
local water utility must be notified by the installing licensed plumber.
The installation of a greywater treatment system needs prior approval by local authorities. Only
systems accredited according to NSW (NSW, 2005) can be installed. The treated greywater from
these systems can be used for irrigation, toilet flushing, and washing machines.
Furthermore, the guidelines include directions on user behaviour. E. g. the use of garden-friendly
detergents is recommended, untreated greywater must not be stored before diversion or bucketing,
and greywater (treated and untreated) must not run of the property.
Other states of Australia have similar guidelines which are all based on the principles defined by the
Australian guideline for water recycling (NRMMC-EPHC-AHMC, 2006).
Use of greywater
Statistical data obtained by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that 20.0 % of households in
NSW reported greywater as a source of water (ABS, 2010). 12.7 % of households with a garden
used greywater to save water in the garden and 7.3 % named greywater as their main source of
water for gardening. Additionally, the more extensive statistical data from 2007 showed that 1.6 %
of households use greywater for toilet flushing (ABS, 2007). Thus, the main application for
greywater is for watering gardens. Since irrigation with tap water is restricted during dry periods
(NSW, 2011), greywater, as an alternative water source, is an opportunity to save gardens and
lawns.
A survey conducted by Pinto and Maheshwari (2010) focused on the user behaviour for garden
irrigation in Sydney. The main source of the greywater used in gardens is laundry water (see Figure
1), which is commonly transferred via extension pipelines or bucketing (see Figure 2). 23 % of the
participants declared to use a greywater treatment system, which was not defined in terms of
technical or legal aspects.
The main motivation to reclaim greywater was environmental consciousness, especially by reducing
the overall potable water demand.
Figure 1: Greywater sources for garden irrigation according to Pinto and Maheshwari, 2010
Figure 2: Greywater reclamation methods for garden irrigation according to Pinto and Maheshwari, 2010
A nationwide survey conducted by ATA (Alternative Technology Association, 2005) went into
more details concerning greywater reclamation. 120 of ATA-members, all of them reclaiming
greywater, were questioned. General results are in line with the findings of Pinto and Maheshwari
(2010), especially concerning laundry water as the preferred sources of greywater, followed by
bathroom water (see Figure 1 and Figure 3).
Figure 3: greywater sources according to Alternative Technology Association, 2005
Furthermore, detailed results show that, in reality, greywater reclamation is often not congruent
with the guidelines. 88 % of the respondents did not contact local council or water authority. 42 %
of the respondents use do-it-yourself systems (see Figure 4), which logically are not licensed
products.
Figure 4: greywater reclamation method according to Alternative Technology Association, 2005
In addition to official matters, the survey indicates that users are not aware of health and
environmental risks associated with greywater reuse. Inadequate systems, like sprinklers fed with
untreated greywater, were reported. While these issues are addressed by guidelines and other freely
available material (e. g. NSW, 2008; Sydney Water 2011) 28 % of the respondents had not looked
for information and 23 % considered the available information as inadequate.
Individual interviews
The lack of knowledge about greywater and risks associated with its use were named as the major
problem in the current practice by interviewees. Reports of interviewees and on-site observations by
the author showed, that the directions given in guidelines were not followed, e. g. untreated
greywater was stored longer than 24 hours before it was used. While users are highly motivated to
reclaim greywater and are willing to adjust their behaviour, e. g. by choosing environmentally
friendly detergents, they lack an understanding of hygienic matters. As a consequence, they expose
themselves to risks either by direct or indirect (watering of eatable fruits) contact to greywater.
Furthermore, the run-off of greywater from the own gardens or into the groundwater is risked by
using too much water.
In this context, the maintenance and operation of greywater treatment system by the users was often
inadequate: System parts like screens were not cleaned regularly, causing odours. UV-lamps were
only switched on, when the water was turbid, since users expect clear water to be clean and thus
hygienically harmless (authors note: UV-disinfection only works in clear water). To guarantee save
operation and maintenance, manufacturers of greywater treatment systems offer service plans for
their products.
Economic aspects
The majority of greywater treatment systems offered on the market is based on technically
advanced processes, e. g. MBR in combination with UV-disinfection. Thus, the systems have high
investment costs and are, due to high energy demand, expensive in operation. On the other hand, the
financial benefits by reclaiming greywater and thus saving tap water are low, making amortization
of a greywater treatment system for a single household unlikely. Greywater treatment systems in
medium- to large scale applications would be favourable in terms of per capita costs (Friedler and
Hadari, 2006). Yet, the implementation of larger treatment systems, e.g. in multi-dwelling scale, is
very expensive since the approval process is complex and requires extensive sampling on each site.
Stakeholder
Based on the analysis of the current greywater reclamation field in NSW, the following
stakeholders can be defined:

Legislator: Provides legal framework for greywater reclamation.
Guidelines offer orientation to users and the approving authorities. Approval processes and
requirements can be eased or complicated.
In the case of greywater reclamation, the guidelines for single household level ease approval
processes. Yet, for larger systems, the approval processes are much more challenging and
prevent a wider implementation of these systems.

Water agencies: Manage water restrictions and pricing policy of tap water.
The water restrictions are a major motivation for users to reclaim greywater for garden
irrigation. On the other hand, the financial benefits by saving water are low.

Manufacturer: Offer greywater treatment systems.
The range of greywater treatment systems offered on the market gives users several
opportunities. Technically sophisticated systems cause high investment and operational
costs. Service plans offered by manufacturers help to secure the reliable operation of
systems.

User: Can choose greywater reclamation; is responsible for save handling of greywater.
Users need motivations to reclaim greywater. Mishandling of greywater can have negative
consequences like bad odour, health problems or environmental impacts that lead to
negative perceptions of greywater reclamation.
The decision to reclaim greywater depends on the motivations of the user. Motivations are based on
idealistic values or rational considerations (Gröbl-Steinbach, 2004). Here, idealistic motivations are
to protect the environment and to keep gardens green. Currently, these are the main drivers for
greywater reclamation. Rational motivations would be financial benefits, which, under the given
conditions of greywater treatment, rarely exist. The costs of greywater treatment systems are
motivating users to decide against greywater treatment. Furthermore, uncertainties of users
concerning aesthetic or hygienic issues are a drawback.
Stakeholder management
The current situation in Australia shows, that users can be willing to reclaim greywater. The main
motivation to reclaim greywater is environmental consciousness and the desire to keep gardens
green during periods of water restrictions.
To enhance the implementation of greywater reclamation, stakeholders should be managed to
enforce motivations of users.
The current guidelines serve as orientations and legal security for single households. Yet, they
should be further developed to create a frame in which semi-scale units could be established easier.
The financial benefits of greywater recycling could be enforced by changing the current water
pricing policy by a stronger link of the water costs to the consumed water volume. Thus, water
savings would lead to higher financial savings.
If manufacturers would complement their current offers with extensive treatment systems, e. g.
constructed wetlands, lower investment and operation cost would make these systems economically
more attractive.
The most important issue of greywater reclamation is transfer of knowledge to the user. Currently, a
lot of information is theoretically available. Yet, this information should be actively delivered to the
user, since the mere existence of information does not reach all users. Active education could
include school courses or the use of different public media like radio or television.
Table 1 Summary of management tools, their potential outcome and importance.
Addressed
Stakeholder
Legislator
Management Management outcome
Tool
Guidelines
Revision could offer
orientation and legal basis for
larger scale.
Water
Water
Already well established.
agencies
restrictions
Water
Water pricing Strong bond of water costs to
agencies
volume consumption would
increase financial benefits.
Manufacturer Treatment
Promotion of less technically
Systems
advanced treatment options
would lower costs and thus
increase financial benefit.
User
Education
By active education, risks due
to mishandling of greywater
could be reduced.
Relevance
Medium (single-household)
High (multi-dwelling)
High – Main motivation to reuse
greywater.
Medium – water costs were a
minor concern of users.
Medium – Investment and
operation costs were only
mentioned as a problem by a few
people.
High – Examples of severe
mishandling were reported by a
lot of experts (and observed
during field visits).
CONCLUSION
As shown in this research, the implementation of greywater reclamation is not only depending on
the current water situation and the technically feasibility of greywater reclamation. Stakeholders
play a major role when it comes to the implementation of reclamation systems. Stakeholder
management can be used as a mean to enhance sustainable greywater reclamation.
Other regions in the world can benefit from the experiences in greywater reclamation of Australia.
The aspect of greywater reclamation could be considered in the design process of water related
guidelines and water pricing policy, since these are an important issue in many regions with water
scarcity (Mansur and Olmstead, 2012). However, the high awareness of environmental matters and
the willingness to act accordingly is not as widespread in other regions as in Australia. Thus, the
implementation of greywater reclamation systems could be more difficult. Furthermore, the
acceptance of greywater as a water source is depending on the cultural background and other
stakeholders could play important roles (Redwood, 2008).
Thus, the specific stakeholder definitions and management tools in this research should be adjusted
to the actual context of a region.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was funded by IPSWaT (International Postgraduate Studies in Water Technologies,
Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany). The author is thankful for the support of
the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and for the support of the interviewees, who took the
time and effort to discuss greywater reclamation.
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