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Trade Waste

If you have a food or industrial business that produces liquid waste that's discharged into the sewer system, you'll need a Trade Waste Agreement. 

Find out how to manage your trade waste responsibly and get the right agreement for your business.

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What is trade waste?

Trade waste is all liquid waste, including clear tap water, used during business activities and discharged into the sewer system. 

It is generally waste water from commercial and industrial operations and can contain substances such as chemicals, grease, oil, food scraps and other contaminants. It may also be liquid food waste.

There's a high volume of trade waste that enters the sewer system and the contaminants can be hazardous, so it's important to manage Trade Waste correctly.

Find out more about Trade Waste or read our trade waste fact sheet.

View Trade Waste fact sheet (PDF, 61KB)

Important information

Frequently asked questions

What is a Trade Waste Agreement?

A Trade Waste Agreement is a document that consents your business to discharge trade waste into the sewer.

The agreement outlines the requirements your business must meet to comply with trade waste legislation. Without consent, financial penalties may apply.

Yarra Valley Water is responsible for managing the water supply and sewerage system in the northern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It is important we control and monitor what is going down the drain and into the sewerage system.

Does my business produce trade waste?

All businesses, no matter what size, can generate trade waste and include, but are not limited to: 

  • fast food businesses
  • bakeries
  • canteens/cafeterias
  • restaurants/cafes
  • delicatessens
  • manufacturers
  • hospitals
  • commercial swimming pools
  • businesses with cooling towers
  • printers
  • car washes
  • mechanics/panel beaters
  • dry cleaners
  • spray painters
  • laundromats
  • pet groomers.
Why do I need a Trade Waste agreement?

Trade Waste Agreements help to protect your business and the sewerage system. 

Blockages in your business can result in smelly overflows and backlog which may cause temporary closure of your business or loss of customers. 

The agreement also helps us to protect the local community and our staff entering the sewer for maintenance.

What are the costs?

An application fee and an annual contract fee are applicable. 

Fees are determined by the type of activities undertaken on site (e.g. food preparation), the quality (e.g. chemicals, grease etc.) and volume (how many litres) of trade waste entering the sewer. Individual business fees will be determined by Yarra Valley Water. 

All trade waste customers pay an annual fee to cover operational costs including the regulation, maintenance and consultation. Customers are subject to a stepped fee based on the risk ranking classification, with high risk customers paying the highest fees.

Read more about retail food business fees and charges.

Read more about industrial business fees and charges.

 

What happens if I don't have a Trade Waste Agreement?

All businesses must take responsibility and contribute towards a community effort to reduce trade waste entering the sewerage system. 

If you don’t obtain or comply with a Trade Waste Agreement, your business could face fines for every day of non-compliance under the Water Act 1989. 

Your business could also be completely disconnected from the sewerage system, and forced to cease operation.

Am I responsible for trade waste on-site as a tenant?

As a tenant, leaseholder, or manager you are responsible for establishing a Trade Waste Agreement and for managing all trade waste on-site. 

This is not the landlord’s responsibility. 

Will my business be inspected for trade waste compliance?

We undertake random inspections to confirm that businesses have a Trade Waste Agreement and are complying with the requirements. 

I’m closing or transferring ownership of the business. Do I need to inform Yarra Valley Water’s Trade Waste Team?

To avoid ongoing costs after you have closed or transferred ownership of your business, it is important to notify us of the change, or to cancel your Trade Waste Agreement.

Trade Waste application acceptance criteria

We accept a variety of industrial and commercial trade waste from businesses from across our district.

However, only trade waste which complies with certain physical and chemical characteristics is permitted to be discharged into our sewerage system in accordance with your Trade Waste Agreement. See our list of acceptance criteria below.

Trade Waste Approved Acceptance Criteria (PDF, 212KB)

It is also a legal requirement for businesses to have a Trade Waste agreement if discharging into the sewer system.

If your business undergoes any renovations, please contact us on 1300 771 865 or email [email protected] to discuss potential impacts on your trade waste requirements.

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