Trade Waste - what you need to know

TRADE WASTE

what you need to know

Wastewater and Trade Waste

A wastewater network allows liquid waste from residential, commercial and industrial premises to be collected, transported, treated and disposed of safely. Central Otago District Council manages eight wastewater networks across the district. A ninth is being installed in Clyde.

Most of the District’s wastewater comes from domestic sources - toilet waste and greywater from kitchens, bathroom and laundries.

Business, trade and/or industrial premises can produce wastewater in greater volumes or that contain waste materials that are different to a standard domestic discharge. This is typically referred to as liquid ‘Trade Waste’.

Trade Waste includes liquid waste that • May be high in volume • contains food waste • contains fats, oils or grease • contains materials that can damage pipes • can affect operation of the wastewater plant and/or effectiveness of the treatment process

Who produces trade waste?

A range of industry, trade and business premises produce trade waste. These can include food processors, restaurants, cafes, hospitals, wineries, dentists, laundries, hairdressers, metal finishers, service stations, automotive operations and swimming pools.

Why manage trade waste?

By managing what is being discharged and how it enters the network we can prevent: • physical damage to the pipes and treatment processes • sewer blockages or spills • health hazards for people • harm to the environment Managing trade waste discharges is also a requirement of many of our Wastewater Discharge Consents issued by the Otago Regional Council.

What are the requirements for my business?

If your business discharges wastewater containing trade waste, you may need a trade waste permit. The permit is your agreement with Council around how you will use and, if necessary, protect the network from damage related to your discharge to the wastewater network. Any specific requirements of your business will depend on what it is you do.

The consent will set out • any conditions your business needs to meet • any controls on your discharge • any monitoring you are required to do or records you need to keep • anything you need to do to make sure your trade waste is safe to receive into the wastewater network.

If your business activity and/or wastewater discharges change, either in volume or content, those requirements might also change. If you need advice, Council’s Water Services Team can help you with this.

Who should hold the trade waste permit?

The person responsible for the operation of the business should hold the consent. For some it will be the business owner, for others it will be the business manager. The owner is always responsible for understanding what is happening on

the premises and for ensuring a trade waste permit in place if one is needed.

Trade Waste application forms are available on the Council website. If you are not sure whether you need a consent or how to apply please contact us.

With your application you will need to provide details of what your business does, a drainage plan, any physical works you have or are intending to have in place – grease traps, filters, sieves, interceptors and so on, and what waste volumes you are anticipating.

Changing or selling your business?

If you are selling your business or changing your business activity, your production processes, the volume or the types of waste being produced, your Trade Waste Permit may need to be reviewed. This is necessary to make sure any conditions are still relevant.

If you are buying a new business, selling an existing business or transferring responsibility to another person, the Trade Waste Permit must be transferred to the new owner /manager.

For more information contact Council’s Water Services Team:

1 Dunorling Street, PO Box 122, Alexandra 03 440 0056 | info@codc.govt.nz www.codc.govt.nz