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 Criteria for Admission of Trade Waste into the Corporation (81.5 kB)
Trade Waste Application Form (138.8 kB)
Answers to your Trade Waste questions
1. What is Trade Waste and where does it go?
2. What is pre-treatment?
3. What are the benefits of pre-treatment?
4. Who needs a pre-treatment assessment and agreement?
5. What does an agreement include and how do I apply?
6. What type of pre-treatment device should I install?
7. How do I install the equipment and where?
8. Who is responsible for maintaining the equipment?
9. How often should I clean & service the equipment?
10. What if there is a change of property ownership?
1. What is Trade Waste and where does it go?
While wastewater received by Central Highlands Water includes domestic wastewater from our homes, it also includes wastewater from industrial, commercial and manufacturing processes. This wastewater is referred to as trade waste.
Trade waste is wastewater generated from businesses such as food processing works, restaurants, fast food outlets, dry-cleaners, vehicle washing services and photographic development businesses, to name a few. It can contain dissolved solids, high concentrations of grease or oil, high organic loads and heavy metals.
As with all wastewater, trade waste makes its way to Central Highlands Water's wastewater treatment facilities via a network of underground sewer pipes. Then, following a complex treatment process that takes several weeks, clean water is again released to the environment
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2. What is Pre-treatment ?
"Pre-treatment" is the process which removes contaminants from wastewater (eg.grease and oil) prior to discharging it to the sewerage system. Special pre-treatment equipment is needed to carry out this process.
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3. What are the benefits of pre-treatment?
- Our community depends upon these processes for the vital protection of the environment in which we live.
- It helps to protect the operation of the Central Highlands Water wastewater treatment plant.
- It helps to maximise the life expectancy of the sewer pipes, including the plumbing inside your property. It will help to prevent costly blockages and expensive downtime,
- It provides a safer working environment for you, your staff and those people working in and around the sewerage network.
- The final wastewater treatment processes at Central Highlands Water's treatment facilities are complex and finely balanced, they can be easily disrupted by non-conforming or poorly treated trade waste.
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4. Who needs a pre-treatment assessment and agreement?
Central Highlands Water requires all customers that discharge trade waste to enter into an agreement. In most instances trade waste customers will need to pre-treat their waste prior to it entering the sewerage system.
- It should be noted that Central Highlands Water may refuse to accept trade waste into the sewerage system without an agreement and correct pre-treatment (The Water Act 1989).
- All commercial, industrial and retail properties should be assessed by Central Highlands Water to determine their individual trade waste requirements and pre-treatment obligations.
If you discharge waste into the sewerage system from a property other than your home, please contact our Trade Waste Officer to arrange for a trade waste assessment.
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5. What does an agreement include and how do I apply?
A typical trade waste agreement will include information about your business, details of your rights and obligations and a description of your pre-treatment maintenance commitment. Before you discharge your trade waste to sewer, it is necessary to apply to Central Highlands Water for an agreement that allows you to discharge trade waste to the Corporation's sewer. To receive a copy of the necessary application forms contact our Trade Waste Co-ordinator. An application fee may apply.
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6. What type of pre-treatment device should I install?
Central Highlands Water encourages you to consider pre-treatment options other than the traditional in-ground grease trap or triple interceptor trap. There are many options now available , some of which are portable and far more effective than the traditional methods. However, the type of pre-treatment is dependent on the type and volume of waste likely to be produced. Most plumbing suppliers will have information that may assist, you may also choose to speak with Central Highlands Water's Trade Waste Officer.
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7. How do I install the equipment and where?
The manufacturer will supply installation instructions with the equipment. We recommend that they be followed in conjunction with the relevant plumbing regulations and a licensed plumber should carry out the installation. It is also important that the equipment be installed in a position that enables ease of cleaning and servicing.
For technical advice on plumbing regulations and current standards we suggest you speak to a licensed plumber or the Plumbing Industry Commission.
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8. Who is responsible for maintaining the equipment?
The occupier of the property is responsible for cleaning and servicing of the equipment, unless the property owner and the occupier agree to other arrangements. It may also be a service that the supplier of the pre-treatment equipment is able to provide.
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9. How often should I clean & service the equipment?
The manufacturer will specify service intervals and is a good source of information for cleaning intervals. It may also depend on the loads placed on the equipment and may need to be cleaned more frequently to satisfy the terms of the agreement with Central Highlands Water. It is also necessary to maintain a log showing the maintenance and servicing of the equipment, such log to be available for inspection by the Central Highlands Water's Trade Waste Officer.
Remember that when the equipment is cleaned out, the resultant waste must be disposed of by an EPA licensed waste disposal specialist.
If there is any doubt about the need to clean the equipment more frequently we suggest you speak with our Trade Waste Officer and arrange a free visit to discuss your needs.
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10. What if there is a change of property ownership?
Once the property is sold, the new owner is responsible for the pre-treatment equipment and the conditions of the agreement. If you remove the equipment and install it at your new property you must apply for a new trade waste agreement. If a change of ownership or tenancy occurs and results in a change in the use of the property, you may apply to Central Highlands Water to vary or cancel the trade waste agreement.
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