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Stormwater Harvesting and Use

Stormwater is an excellent alternative to using mains drinking water for many purposes, it is easy to capture, manage and store on-site. However, there is human health and environmental risks that need to be managed as stormwater run-off from urban areas is often contaminated with litter, pathogens, oil and other chemicals.

If simple management protocols and good catchment management practices are followed, then stormwater can be used safely for low-risk purposes such as irrigation. For higher-risk uses, where people are more likely to be in close contact with the water, more complex management controls are necessary.

Here is further information, references and direction for those interested in using stormwater. 

This information does not apply to the use of stormwater as a private drinking water supply, and does not cover the use of roof-collected rainwater. For those wanting further information on rainwater use, please refer to:

Regulation in Victoria

The use and required quality of stormwater is not specifically regulated in Victoria. However, the right to harvest stormwater and the construction of stormwater schemes may be subject to regulation, as described below.

The Water Act 1989 identifies who has rights to the use of water in waterways. Contact the local Water Authority, Catchment Management Authority or Local Council for further advice if you intend to harvest stormwater from drains or waterways outside your property.

The Environment Protection Act 1970 establishes State Environment Protection Policies. The State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) requires that artificial stormwater drains and wetlands are designed and managed in way so that they are not harmful to humans or animals, and minimise pollution to surface and ground water.

Some stormwater recycling schemes may require approval or a permit from the local council under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 or Building Act 1993. Contact the local council for more information on this.

The Plumbing Regulations 1998 specify the minimum technical standards for on-site plumbing work. A licensed plumber should undertake all plumbing work and all plumbing must comply with the National Plumbing and Drainage Code (AS 3500).

Although there are no specific laws that dictate what stormwater can be used for or what quality standards stormwater must meet, individuals and organisations responsible for stormwater schemes do have a duty of care to make sure their scheme will not place people or the environment at risk. The quality of stormwater and the associated management controls need to be proportional to the level of risk - the more likely it is that stormwater will place people or the environment at risk, the higher the water quality and more stringent the management controls need to be.

Capturing and Using Stormwater Within a Single Residential Property

For households who wish to use stormwater, the following advice should be considered:

  • Stormwater should only be captured within your property’s boundary.
  • Your property should be clean (i.e. not loose soil or chemical spills).
  • Stormwater should only be used for low-risk purposes such as garden watering and toilet flushing.
  • Stormwater should not be used for drinking or food preparation
  • A licensed plumber should install any plumbing for the stormwater system. This is especially important if stormwater is used in your house for toilet flushing, to ensure that stormwater cannot contaminate the drinking water supply.

Capturing and Using Stormwater at Multi-residential, Commercial, Industrial and Community Sites

For sites involving two or more households, or commercial, industrial and community premises, it is recommended that the Australian Guidelines for Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse External site are followed. These sites may include:

  • Community open space such sports and recreation fields and parks and gardens;
  • Commercial sites such as shopping centres, office blocks and conference centres;
  • Residential complexes, such as apartment blocks or clusters of residences; 
  • Education centres such schools and higher education centres;
  • Industrial premises; and
  • Construction and building sites.

The Australian Guidelines for Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse establish the standards and best practice for protecting public health and environment and managing risks that may be associated with stormwater use. These guidelines should be the basis for developing and managing a stormwater use scheme, and be used in conjunction with any applicable Victorian information.

Additional Information

Although there are no specific regulations in Victoria, there are a number of guidelines and standards that may assist proponents of stormwater schemes. 

  • For further information to protect the environment from storm events with water sensitive urban design (WSUD), and the treatment barriers for environmental management relevant for primary treatment of stormwater use in urban communities, refer to The Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines (BPEMG) External sitepublished by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in 1999.
  • For further information on best practice in the management of urban stormwater in Australia, within the overall framework of integrated urban water management, stormwater pollutant pathways, procedures for estimation of various contaminants, advice on development of integrated urban water cycle management practices, design guidelines for quantity and quality management practices refer to Australian Runoff Quality, A guide to Water Sensitive Urban design, Engineers Australia (2006) External site.
  • For further information on plumbing and drainage standards refer to AS/NZS 3500 National plumbing and drainage code. External site
  • For further information that may assist educating business and the community within a stormwater scheme catchment area, or identify potential risks, proponents can refer to various EPA Stormwater.

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