Trade waste

Generally, trade waste requires treatment before it's discharged to the sewer system. This ensures it is compatible with sewerage pipes and treatment systems, and protects:

• the health and safety of Western Water staff and customers
• sewer assets from corrosion
• the quality of recycled water, and
• the health of our waterways.

Western Water limits the quality and other characteristics of the 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 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA(691KB)

Trade waste customers include, but are not limited to, the following types of businesses:

• restaurants, cafes and takeaway stores
• butchers
• laundries
• car washers
• hotels
• swimming pools
• food processing
• manufacturing.

Trade waste customers need to ensure:

• they have written permission from Western Water (in the form of a Trade Waste Agreement or Consent) before they discharge into sewers
• they are aware of trade waste requirements and conform to the conditions of their approval
• any pre-treatment systems installed are correctly and adequately maintainied
• any additives used in pre-treatment processes have been assessed by Western Water and are certified by a professional as being harmless to the sewerage system, treatment process and the environment.

More Information

• Trade Waste Fact Sheet 173 KB
• Trade Waste Fact Sheet: Food Service Industry 177 KB
• Trade Waste Fact Sheet: Pre-treating with grease traps 171 KB
• Trade Waste Fact Sheet: Motor Mechanic 174 KB