Trade waste is liquid waste discharged into the sewer that is generated by industry, small business, commercial enterprises, clubs and organisations including charities commercial kitchens, laundries, hairdressers, workshops, medical facilities, fruit packing sheds, accommodation places, kennels, etc.
Trade waste may need to be treated so it complies with our sewer admission limits before it can be released into the sewerage system. In Queensland, the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 regulates trade waste discharge and requires trade waste generators to obtain a permit to discharge trade waste. Permits are subject to conditions outlined in our Trade Waste Management Plan.
Pretreatment of trade waste involves devices as simple as a grease trap, to complex custom-made systems. Council is responsible for advising on the type and size of treatment device your business requires.
Trade waste released into the sewer system may place an increased load on the distribution system and treatment plants. Some substances may:
- pose a serious risk to the health and safety of water treatment staff
- damage sewerage system infrastructure
- inhibit biological processes at the treatment plant
- accumulate in biosolids rending them unusable
- pass through the plant without treatment and cause environmental contamination.