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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?
11.
Who do I contact for further information
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 Coordinator
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 Authority's sewer.
To receive a copy of the necessary application forms you may
either click here to
download a copy or 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 Co-ordinator.
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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 Coordinator.
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 Coordinator 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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11.
Who do I contact for further information?
For further
trade waste information:
Michelle Maggi
Trade Waste Officer
Central Highlands Water
7 Learmonth Rd
Wendouree VIC 3355
Postal address:
P O Box 152, Ballarat Victoria 3353
Direct:
(03) 5320 3143 Reception: (03) 5320 3100
Mobile:
0429 065 659
e-mail:
Tradewaste@chw.net.au
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