The Burdekin Shire Council provides a sewerage system primarily for the transportation and treatment of domestic sewage. The Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 prohibits the discharge of any waste other than domestic sewage unless the appropriate approval has been obtained from Council.

What is trade waste?

Trade Waste is any liquid waste from business, enterprise, trade or manufacturing premises, other than waste that is a prohibited substance or human waste. (Please note that no stormwater is allowed to be connected to the sewerage system.) A Trade Waste Permit or Agreement provides these types of premises with a licence to discharge more trade waste than an average domestic household.

Who generates trade waste?

A common misconception is that trade waste is always toxic and is generated by industrial factories. In actual fact, trade waste incorporates wastewater generated by car washes, commercial kitchens, automotive repair workshops, air-conditioning units and a variety of processing operations.

The list of businesses with the potential to discharge trade waste is extensive.  Council’s Trade Waste Officer can be contacted through the Customer Service Centre to ascertain if your business has the potential to discharge trade waste.

Why does trade waste discharge need to be monitored?

The disposal of trade waste without Council approval can result in a significant disruption to Council services and added cost to the community as a whole. Illegal discharge of trade waste such as flammable liquids, greases, acids and solids often results in blockages of the sewerage system, damage of sewerage equipment and adverse impacts on the sewage treatment process.

Some examples of the problems caused by illegaly disposing of trade waste are listed below:

• Petroleum Waste (Flammable Liquids) – causes dangerous build up of gases within the sewer system
• Oil and Grease – causes blockages and offensive odours within the sewer system
• Acidic and strong chemical waste – causes corrosion of sewerage equipment including pumps, fittings and pipes
• High levels of detergent – causes foaming within sewer pipes and adversley effect the nutrient loadings during the treatment process

Who is responsible for trade waste?

Both the property owner of the premise where a business, with the potential to discharge trade waste, is situated and the business owner themselves are responsible for the discharge of trade waste to the sewer.

The business owner, in conjunction with the property owner, must ensure the appropriate trade waste pre-treatment device (dependent on the type of business) is installed on the premise.  The appropriate measures associated with the discharging of trade waste (which the business generates) to the sewer must also be adhered to by the business owner.

An annual trade waste permit fee may apply and if so, an invoice will be issued to and be payable by the Property Owner each financial year.  Please check Council’s Fees and Charges using the links below for further information.