Liquid trade waste is defined in the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 as ‘all liquid waste other than sewage of a domestic nature’. Liquid trade waste includes non-domestic liquid waste discharges to council’s sewerage system from:
- industrial, business/commercial premises (such as beautician, florist, hairdresser, hotel, motel, restaurant, butcher, supermarket, etc.)
- community/public premises (including clubs, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and nursing homes)
- any commercial activities carried out at a residential premise
- saleyards, racecourses, stables and kennels that are not associated with domestic households
- tankered human waste, ship-to-shore waste from marina pump-out facilities, portable toilet waste and established sites for the discharge of pan contents from mobile homes/caravans
- any other waste tankered to the sewerage facilities, such as commercial or industrial waste from areas that are not sewered
Sewerage systems are generally designed for waste from domestic sources that are of a predictable strength and quality. Liquid trade waste places much greater demands on Council’s sewerage system and can impact on the public, the environment and the sewerage system if not managed properly. For example, grease, oil and solids can build up causing blockages and sewer overflows; and strong wastes can cause corrosion of the sewerage system or produce offensive odours to the public.