In simple terms, trade effluent is any liquid waste discharged from premises used for a business, trade or industry. It can come from processes used to wash or cool plant, machinery, vehicles and floors. Any size of business can produce trade effluent, from laundries to breweries and from food production to chemical manufacturing and car washes.
What is trade effluent?
Trade effluent is NOT:
- Domestic sewage
- Hotel or restaurant waste
- Surface water
- Swimming pool drainage, unless it’s being emptied.
Why is it important?
Specific regulations set out the type and volume of trade effluent that can go down drains. This helps to protect sewerage systems and the environment. Failure to comply with these regulations is a criminal offence and can carry significant fines.
If your business discharges trade effluent, you must apply to your wholesaler for consent to dispose of it.
It’s your legal responsibility to manage your effluent within these set limits. Business Stream can offer advice and practical solutions to help make compliance less daunting.
Charges for disposing of trade effluent are based on the principle of ‘the polluter pays’, which means the stronger or dirtier the effluent and the greater the volume, the higher the charge.
It’s possible to treat your trade effluent to produce safe, clean water – cutting your costs and keeping you compliant.
