FL Greywater & Water Conservation Hub

Florida Greywater Definition

Florida Statute §381.0065 defines greywater as domestic wastewater from specific household fixtures — excluding toilet waste (blackwater) and kitchen sources that harbor food pathogens. Greywater typically makes up 50–80% of total household wastewater.

• ✅ Clothes washing machine discharge
• ✅ Shower and bathtub drain water
• ✅ Bathroom lavatory (hand-washing) sinks
• ❌ Kitchen sink — food contamination risk
• ❌ Dishwasher effluent — high grease and detergent load
• ❌ Toilet waste — classified as blackwater
• ❌ Utility sink water — cleaning chemical contamination
• ❌ Diaper washing — pathogen contamination

Permit Thresholds — Department of Health

Florida Administrative Code Rule 64E-6 establishes the regulatory framework for greywater systems. The key threshold is 400 gallons per day (GPD):

• Systems ≤400 GPD: Exempt from DOH permit if properly designed and installed per all code requirements, setbacks maintained, and system is subsurface only
• Systems >400 GPD: Full DOH permit required, engineered design by PE or licensed contractor, ongoing inspection schedule
• All systems must comply with local county health department supplemental rules
• Setback distances from potable water wells must be maintained regardless of size
• Minimum 6-inch burial depth for all distribution lines under FAC 64E-6.013
• Surge tanks or distribution boxes must be watertight and rodent-proof

What You CAN Do With Greywater in Florida

• 🌿 Subsurface drip irrigation for ornamental landscaping (buried ≥6 inches)
• 🌳 Watering ornamental trees, palms, and shrubs via buried lines
• 🌺 Irrigation of non-edible gardens and ornamental beds
• 🌱 Lawn/turf irrigation with buried distribution network
• 🚽 Toilet flushing only with proper gray-to-black treatment system and DOH variance
• 🏗️ Constructed wetland systems (with DOH permit — typically >400 GPD tier)

What Is STRICTLY Forbidden Under Florida Law

• 🚫 Surface spray or above-ground irrigation (any air contact with untreated greywater)
• 🚫 Swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, or decorative fountains
• 🚫 Any potable water use — drinking, cooking, food prep, bathing
• 🚫 Irrigation of edible crops, root vegetables, or any food plants
• 🚫 Cross-connection to potable water supply (federal Safe Drinking Water Act violation)
• 🚫 Discharge into stormwater drains, drainage ditches, or surface water
• 🚫 Allowing greywater to pond, pool, or surface anywhere on property
• 🚫 Indoor use without DOH variance and approved treatment
• 🚫 Car washing, pressure washing, or outdoor cleaning uses
• 🚫 Children's play areas or pet areas where contact is likely

Florida County-by-County Differences

Florida's state statutes set the minimum standard, but counties frequently adopt stricter rules. Always verify with your local county health department and building department before installation:

• Miami-Dade: Most restrictive in the state — requires licensed CFC plumber AND DERM (Dept. of Environmental Resources Management) permit regardless of system size or flow rate; additional 75-ft well setback strictly enforced; inspector required for final approval
• Broward County: Generally follows FAC 64E-6 state standard with no additional county overlay; systems ≤400 GPD may proceed without DOH permit with proper CFC installation
• Palm Beach County: Follows state standard; SFWMD water use permit required for systems affecting surface water allocation; 50-ft well setback adopted locally
• Orange / Hillsborough: Both require building permit and inspection even for DOH-exempt systems; local amendments may increase minimum setbacks — call county building before starting
• Pinellas County: SWFWMD jurisdiction adds a water use permit layer for systems serving more than 1 acre; reclaimed water service area restrictions may apply
• Duval (Jacksonville): JEA service area has independent inspection and backflow prevention requirements; cross-connection permit from JEA water department required
• Seminole County: SJRWMD oversight for consumptive use; standard state setbacks apply; building permit required for any plumbing modifications
• Lee / Collier: SFWMD oversees larger systems; agricultural water use crossovers create additional regulatory overlap — consult SFWMD before designing any system >200 GPD

Licensed Plumber (CFC) Always Required for Plumbing Work

Florida Statute §489.105(3)(m) defines plumbing contracting as work on pipes, fixtures, and appliances conveying water or waste. This statute means:

• ✅ Any greywater system connected to your home's existing drain lines requires a Certified Plumbing Contractor (CFC) license
• ✅ Diverter valves on washing machine outlets — if connected to home plumbing — require CFC
• ✅ Surge tank installation with drain connections requires CFC
• ⚠️ "Laundry-to-landscape" systems using the washing machine's existing outlet hose into a mulched basin MAY be done without CFC in some counties — but verify locally
• ❌ Unlicensed plumbing work is a 2nd-degree misdemeanor under FL §489.127