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Usage (Sewage disposal) charges for business customers

What is sewage and what do you pay for?

Sewage is water that leaves your property through all outlets to the sewerage system such as toilets, wash basins, kitchens and wastewater from production processes. Depending on your type of business, you may have additional discharge outlets.

Water that is used outside for gardens and grounds is not discharged into the sewerage system.This water is either absorbed into the soil or ends up in the stormwater drainage system.

Your Sewage Disposal Charge is for the water that is estimated to be discharged to the sewerage system. An estimate is necessary because sewage discharges are not metered.


What does the Sewage Disposal Charge cover?

The Sewage Disposal Charge covers the disposal and treatment of sewage which is an extensive and costly process. Once sewage reaches a treatment plant, any waste products other than domestic sewage such as grease or oils must be separated.

These waste products must be pumped out and relocated to a registered waste disposal site. The remaining sewage is treated biologically, then filtered over a bed of sand or stones, then finally disinfected using Ultra-Violet light.


Industry variations in water use

The type of business run at a property will largely determine the amount of wastewater discharged into the sewerage system. We recognise that some industries use a portion of their water outside, or in a manufacturing process that does not discharge to the sewerage system. For this reason consideration is provided for particular industries in the calculation of the Sewage Disposal Charge.

You should ensure that we are aware of the type of business run at your property.


Why not physically meter the volume of sewage discharged?

It is technically difficult to meter the volume of sewage discharged, and it is also very expensive. Therefore we estimate the volume based on the amount of water supplied to your property as measured by your water meter, minus a percentage estimated for water outside.

 

Alternative methods of assessment

Installing a Subsidiary Meter


For an alternate method of assessing the volume you dispose to the sewer, we can assist you with subsidiary metering. A subsidiary meter can be installed, at your expense, to measure your outside water use and determine how much water you are not disposing to the sewer. For business properties with particularly large grounds or gardens such as schools, reserves or sporting grounds subsidiary metering is a recommended option.


Providing evidence of your outdoor use

Alternatively, you can apply for a review of your account. If you can provide us with evidence in writing as to why the standard calculation may have substantially overestimated the volume of water you dispose to the sewer, we will assess your case with a possible review of charges to your current account.

If you have any further questions about how you can have your Sewage Disposal Charge reviewed, call BusinessLine on 13 1721 or email Yarra Valley Water .