Trade waste

Trade waste is industrial and commercial wastewater that is sent through the sewers for treatment.

Only trade waste that complies with specific guidelines can be discharged into the sewerage system.

The Customer Charter – Trade Waste sets out the rights and obligations of both Lower Murray Water and our customers in relation to trade waste services.

How to manage trade waste

• Fill out and submit a Trade Waste Application form by following the instructions below
• Seek advice from LMW for installation of a grease trap, if one is not currently installed
• Maintain your grease trap
• Make sure you cancel your Trade Waste Agreement when leaving the property to avoid ongoing fees.

Apply to discharge trade waste

To apply to discharge minor or major trade waste, complete a Trade Waste Application.

You will need to include information about:

• plumbing fixtures
• industrial chemicals
• pre-treatment facilities.

You must also meet our trade waste acceptance criteria.

There is no application fee.

Submit your application:

• by email – scan the completed application form and email to wqt@lmw.vic.gov.au
• by mail – to our Mildura postal address
• in person – at our Mildura office during opening hours.

To pay the fee by credit card, contact us. We can’t process your application until the fee has been paid.

Depending on the nature of your trade waste, we may need more detailed information. In this case, we will contact you.

Trade waste categories

There are 2 main categories of trade waste. The type and volume of wastewater we need to treat determines your costs and responsibilities.

Minor trade waste

Minor trade waste is from businesses that discharge relatively small volumes of wastewater into the sewer – for example, hotels, restaurants, take away food businesses, laundries and car washes.

Minor trade waste customers need a Consent to Discharge Trade Waste. They are charged an annual fee that is incorporated into their quarterly bill.

Charges for 24/25

Minor Trade Waste Charge is $79.44 per unit per annum, where applicable.

Miscellaneous minor trade waste charge $1.0446/kL.

Septic tank effluent disposal $7.39 per ML.

Major trade waste

Major trade waste is from businesses that discharge large volumes of wastewater into the sewer, generally more than 1,000 kilolitres (kL) per year – for example, fruit and vegetable processing, fruit packing, abattoir, and winery operations.

Major trade waste customers are required to sign a Trade Waste Agreement with us. They are charged on a quarterly basis based on the organic load, calculated using the COD (chemical oxygen demand), suspended solids, sodium and hydraulic loadings in their wastewater.

An establishment fee per megalitre (ML) also applies.

Definitions

Food Business

Is any water that is used when preparing or cooking food, cleaning dishes or washing the kitchen that goes down the drain is classified as trade waste and needs to be treated before entering the sewer system.

Industrial business

Industrial business is any liquid waste (and substance contained in it) generated by any industry, business, trade or manufacturing process, other than domestic waste, acceptable for discharge to sewer.

Industrial customers include, but are not limited to the following businesses:

• Abattoirs/meat processing and packaging
• Car and truck wash
• Metal polishing
• Dentists
• Laundromats
• Hospitals/Clinics (plaster waste)
• Brewery
• Winery

Trade waste appliance

The purpose of a trade waste appliance is to trap and partially treat waste material and prevent it from entering the sewerage system. Common types of trade waste appliances are grease interceptors, triple interceptor traps, cooling pits, etc.

Grease trap

A grease trap is a plumbing appliance that filters fats, oils and food solids from going down the drain into the sewerage system and stores it in a tank so that it can be pumped out later.

All food businesses producing trade waste are required to install a grease trap. The grease trap must be adequately sized for the volume and quality of your trade waste discharge. If your grease trap is deemed to be undersized, you may be required to upgrade to a larger unit.

Grease Trap Maintenance

Waste in the grease trap is classified as prescribed waste and needs to be disposed of correctly. It is illegal to empty grease traps yourself, it must be done by a licensed liquid waste disposal business.

You must maintain your equipment as per the Trade waste agreement and let LMW know if there are any changes to the business activities.

You are required to contact the Trade Waste Officer at LMW to advise when you have sold or closed your business. Charges will continue until you have notified us, and you will be liable for any ongoing charges.

Petrol and oil interceptor

A petrol and oil interceptor, sometimes known as a triple interceptor, is designed to contain and slow the flow of contaminated wastewater.

The interceptor allows suspended grease, oil and traces of fuel and solvents to float to the top while solids settle to the bottom and cleaner water flows out to sewer.