Temporary trade effluent consents

What is Trade Effluent?

Trade Effluent is any liquid waste, excluding domestic sewage and surface water, that is produced from industrial or commercial processes and discharged from business premises into the public sewer system. Although it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between trade effluent and non-trade effluent categories, this can be accurately classified based on the following information.

Trade effluent includes water used in production processes, washing or cooling in factories, liquid waste from landfills or recycling centres, water filtered from swimming pools, and waste from industries such as car washes, laundrettes, metal finishing, textiles, engineering and chemical works, construction and food and beverage manufacturing.

Items that do not represent trade effluent include wastewater from toilets, sinks, personal cooking, uncontaminated surface water drainage, sewerage from residential homes, domestic swimming pools, non-household premises/offices that are only discharging domestic waste, discharges from hotels, pubs, care homes, restaurants, takeaways, hairdressers, butchers, food retailers, stables, florists and caravan parks. However, if these premises discharge fats, oils, greases, or food waste that cause blockages, they can be regulated by the law.

Your business may generate trade effluent either on a routine basis or as a temporary discharge. Temporary examples of trade effluent include water resulting from heating system flushes, groundwater encountered during construction, or effluent from short-term construction activities.

Trade effluent is governed by the Water Industry Act 1991 and can differ significantly in terms of its contaminants, strength, and volume. Some trade effluent may contain chemicals and other substances that pose health risks or threaten the sewage infrastructure and environment. Under the Act, wholesalers are legally responsible for regulating trade effluent to protect public health, worker safety, the environment, and ensure drinking water quality. Wholesalers nationwide implement controls and limits to minimise these risks, which form the basis of the consents they issue. These measures also help prevent system overload from excessive trade effluent during certain periods.

Application process, fees and timelines

The process for obtaining a Temporary Trade Effluent Consent involves the following steps:

1. Assessment of discharge needs. Businesses should first determine if their operations will produce trade effluent. If they will, it’s essential to reach out to the local wholesaler or retailer to consult with their specialists about the type of discharge and its potential effects on the sewerage system. Consent must be obtained prior to any discharge, so it’s crucial to apply well in advance.

2. Submission of information. To obtain a Temporary Trade Effluent Consent, a standardised and robust application form needs to be populated and submitted to the wholesaler. The Water Retail Company offers a streamlined and user-friendly process, along with a dedicated specialist who will assist you throughout the journey, ensuring a smooth experience and your peace of mind. You will begin by completing the application form at the bottom of this page. After your submission, our specialist will reach out the same day or the next working day to provide a contract that includes specific details and a quote, as well as to request any additional information that may be necessary for the application. The costs will vary based on the wholesaler, and the total amount payable will include both the wholesaler’s fee and our administration charge. Once you have signed the contract and provided the required information, we will complete the application and submit it to the wholesaler. They will have 5 business days to confirm receipt and completeness or request further details to proceed with your application.
   

3. Review and approval. Once the application is submitted, the wholesaler evaluates the potential risks associated with the proposed discharge. This assessment ensures that the sewerage system can manage the effluent without causing damage or violating environmental standards. The wholesaler conducts internal consultations to confirm available capacity for both network and treatment requirements. If the discharge meets the necessary criteria and capacity is confirmed, the policy is to issue a trade effluent consent within two months of receiving the application. However, The Water Retail Company typically processes applications within two weeks with most wholesalers, although more complex cases may require additional time. Either way, it is essential to ensure the application is accurate enough to facilitate approval and avoid delays that might interfere with your business operations.
   

4. Issuance of consent. If the discharge and application are approved, the wholesaler will provide a Temporary Trade Effluent Consent. This consent will detail the specific terms and conditions, including various limits, duration, quality and monitoring requirements, as well as compliance standards.
5. Compliance and Monitoring. Businesses are required to comply with the conditions specified in the consent, which may involve monitoring and staying within acceptable limits. All conditions and limits specified in the consent are enforceable by law, so non-compliance or discharges negatively affecting health and safety, infrastructure, or the environment may lead to legal action.