Understanding the responsibilities and relationship between water usage, wastewater discharge to the wastewater system and our environment can save you money and avoid any breaches of the law. This brings benefits to you as an organisation, business, shop owner or property owner and to South Gippsland Water.
This information will assist you to better understand trade waste responsibilities and the steps you need to take to gain a Trade Waste Agreement.
Trade waste is liquid waste generated by industry, business, trade or manufacturing processes other than domestic sewage. The Water Act 1989 prohibits the unauthorised discharge of trade waste, other than domestic sewage, into the sewerage system. This Act ensures that producers of trade waste in Victoria obtain Agreement from their local water corporation to discharge their trade waste into the sewerage system.
You must have an Agreement from South Gippsland Water to discharge trade waste into the wastewater system. We have the legal power to manage trade waste discharges to ensure compliance with all requirements under the Environment Protection Act.
Our trade waste objectives are to:
Download these documents for more information:
Trade Waste Policy
Trade Waste Procedure
Trade Waste Customer Charter
ESC Trade Waste Customer Service Code
Application for Trade Waste Agreement
Trade Waste Application Guide Procedure
South Gippsland Water has established a trade waste procedure to ensure that trade waste risks and impacts are being managed appropriately. The nature and levels of the components and characteristics of any trade waste discharged to sewer must comply at all times with the acceptance criteria as outlined in the following document Trade Waste Statement of Approved Acceptance Criteria Information.
In most businesses, pre-treatment of the trade waste is a requirement before it is discharged to sewer. Each business type will have its own requirements for pre-treatment. South Gippsland Water trade waste staff can assist businesses to determine general pre-treatment requirements. To determine the specific design of pre-treatment equipment required to meet the acceptance criteria limits, businesses may need to contact the Plumbing Industry Commission, engineering consulting services, equipment manufacturers, or a suitably qualified plumber. A registered plumber will need to be engaged to carry out installation of equipment.
Trade Waste Pre Treatment Recommendations – Food
Trade Waste Pre Treatment Recommendations – Motor
South Gippsland Water classifies trade waste customers with consideration to the type of business, industry or activity carried out by the customer into Category 1, 2 or 3. Category 1 trade waste customers pose the lowest risk, with Category 3 the highest. Trade waste charges shall then be assessed by reference to the waste categories.
Prior to the discharge of trade waste to the sewerage system, customers are required to enter into a Trade Waste Agreement or Consent with South Gippsland Water. Category 1 trade waste customers will be provided with a Trade Waste Consent, whilst Category 2 and 3 customers will enter into a Trade Waste Agreement. Examples of standard consent and agreement documents are included below:
Trade Waste Consent Form
Trade Waste Consent for Deemed Trade Waste Customers Form
Trade Waste Agreement Form
South Gippsland Water has a number of non-residential customers who discharge to the sewerage system and would come under the definition of ‘Trade Waste’ but are considered too small for South Gippsland Water to require a Trade Waste Agreement, and do not warrant the additional level of administration and monitoring that comes with this. Clause 4.4 of the ESC Trade Waste Customer Service Code makes provision for dischargers of trade waste of a nature similar to domestic sewage, at South Gippsland Water’s discretion, to have their agreement arise automatically through customer conduct. These types of customers are classified as ‘Deemed’ trade waste customers, and their discharge will be subject to the Standard Trade Waste Consent for “Deemed” Trade Waste Customers.
Customers who, by definition in Water Law, discharge trade waste, but that:
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) provides the following waste hierarchy which South Gippsland Water fully supports (in order of preference):
Avoidance
Reuse
Recycling
Recovery of energy
Treatment
Containment
Disposal
Here are some tips to consider in your daily business activities which will help to reduce greasy waste, protect the environment, and save you money:
Wipe dishes with a cloth or paper towel before washing.
Pour used oil into containers for recycling.
Use less cooking oil where you can.
Collect food scraps for composting.
Use less detergent.
Sweep floors before washing.
Ensure that NO OIL goes down the drain.
Please DON’T put these things into the sewerage system;
Household chemicals like solvents, paints or pesticides.
Grease or oil from cooking.
Food scraps including coffee grounds and tea leaves.
Items such as cotton buds, syringes, razor blades or condoms.
Any other solid substance.
Things you CAN DO to help;
Install sink strainers to catch food waste.
Soak up cooking oils and fats using kitty litter or paper towel and place this into your rubbish bin.
Place a rubbish bin in the bathroom or toilet.
Use low phosphorous detergents.
Pin up a reminder for house guests and holiday renters.
Trade waste charges are split into three categories. These include:
South Gippsland Water will only impose fees and charges in connection with trade waste in accordance with the prices and pricing principles set out in the price determination made by the Essential Services Commission.
Tariffs Schedule – Minor Trade Waste Tariffs
Trade Waste Discharge Information Sheet