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Trade waste

Trade waste is liquid waste, other than domestic sewage, that is discharged to the sewerage system.

Our Services/Trade waste

Trade waste from industrial and commercial business activities can contain oils, grease or chemicals that have an adverse impact on the sewerage system or the environment.

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.

Greater 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.

View the Trade waste acceptance criteria.

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 Greater 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 maintained
  • any additives used in pre-treatment processes have been assessed by Greater Western Water and are certified by a professional as being harmless to the sewerage system, treatment process and the environment.

Other pages in this section

Trade waste applications

Trade waste customers must develop a management plan and submit an application form before they discharge trade or septic waste.

Trade waste charges

Trade waste charges are calculated based on the volume and the quality of the waste and take into account certain risk factors.

Trade waste charter

The Trade Waste Customer Charter outlines the services performed by Greater Western Water and the respective rights and responsibilities of Greater Western Water and its customers