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Trade waste 

Trade waste is any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage, generated by industrial and commercial business activities and discharged to the sewerage system.  Trade waste can contain oils, grease or chemicals that have adverse impacts on the sewerage system. Domestic sewage including the liquid waste from household toilets, bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, is not considered trade waste. Generally trade waste requires pre-treatment prior to discharge to ensure it is compatible with the sewer pipes and treatment systems.

When dealing with trade waste, it is vital to protect:

  • The health and safety of Western Water staff and customers
  • Sewer assets from corrosion
  • The sewerage treatment process
  • The quality of recycled water and
  • The health of our waterways.

    • The volume and quality of trade waste must therefore be controlled.

    This discharge into the sewerage system is only permitted with Western Water's consent and it is closely monitored to minimise any adverse impact. Western Water also monitors trade waste to protect the quality of our recycled water and biosolids for reuse.

    Western Water currently has more than 400 trade waste customers with close to half operating food service businesses including cafes, restaurants, bakeries and takeaways.

    All trade waste customers are inspected at least once a year or as required.

    Western Water’s Trade Waste By-Law, made pursuant to The Water Act 1989, provides Western Water with the legal power to regulate or prohibit the discharge of trade waste.

     Trade Waste customer charter

    Western Water's Trade Waste Customer Charter outlines the Trade Waste services performed by Western Water and the respective rights and responsibilities of Western Water and of its customers.  This Trade Waste Customer Charter should be read in conjunction with our Customer Charter. 

    The purpose of this Trade Waste Customer Charter is to:

    1. provide customers with consistent, transparent and timely decision making for Trade Waste applications and management; and
    2. ensure Western Water’s Trade Waste services comply with the Essential Services Commission’s (the Commission’s) requirements.

    Trade waste discharge application

    For information on the charges that relate to trade waste discharge please refer to the Trade waste charges page.

    Applicants will need to read the TRade Waster Customer Charter, develop a Trade Waste Management Plan and submit a Trade Waste Application Form prior to the discharge of trade or septic waste. Western Water has the right to refuse to enter into any agreement.

    When you submit your application form you must also supply:

    • Layout plans of areas used in the generation and transport of trade waste or septic waste.
    • Plans of equipment and details of processes which are to be used for the treatment of the trade waste before it enters the sewerage system.
    • Plans and details of all pipes, floor channels and drains used to convey the trade waste from the source of discharge to any apparatus used for treatment of the trade waste.
    • Details of the method of measuring the total volume of trade waste or septic waste to be discharged.
    • Other information as required by Western Water. 

    Western Water necessarily limits the quality and other characteristics of trade waste it accepts into the sewerage system. The limits are known as “Trade Waste Acceptance Criteria” and any trade waste meeting these criteria will normally be suitable for discharge to the sewerage system.

    Trade Waste FACT SHEETS

    For more information, contact Western Water on 1300 650 425 or email mail@westernwater.com.au.