Trade waste is a liquid discharge containing trade or factory wastes, chemicals or other impurities from any business, trade or manufacturing premises.  Trade waste does not include domestic sewage from a hand wash basin, shower, bath or toilet.  It also does not include stormwater, unpolluted water or prohibited substances.

Prohibited substances include: flammable liquids, oils, greases, acids, dead animal matter, clothing, solids, medical wastes, infectious materials, hair and chemical wastes.

There is a misconception that trade waste is always toxic and is only generated by industrial factories or large organisations.  In fact, the most common trade waste is waste from commercial businesses such as food outlets, Laundromats, service stations and vehicle repair workshops, equipment hire centres and animal boarding kennels to list a few.  The rate and volume of discharge into the sewer affects pumping costs, while the composition of the sewerage affects the cost of treatment.

Only waste that can be treated biologically through Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste's treatment processes is allowed to be discharged to the sewer. Most businesses that wish to discharge their trade waste to sewer are required to pre-treat the waste to acceptable sewer admission levels prior to discharge.

Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste issues an Application for a Permit to Discharge Trade Waste into the sewerage system to control the amount and type of trade waste being discharged.

Council’s application process is easy and hassle free:

1. Notify Council prior to starting or taking over a business;
2. A Trade Waste Officer will then inspect the premises;
3. An Application Form is required to be completed and any relevant fees paid;
4. A Trade Waste Permit is then issued

If your business discharges trade waste to sewer you are required to pre-treat the waste to acceptable sewer admission levels prior to discharge.  This may require the installation of a specified pre-treatment facility as determined by the Trade Waste Department.

• Trade Waste Permit Application

Illegal Sewer Discharge

Some substances such as metals or pesticides may pass through the treatment plants unchanged and accumulate in the environment.  This can have adverse affects on local animals, plants and waterways and greatly impact our fragile ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef.

Illegal sewer discharge such as flammable liquids, oils, greases and solids increases costs to the community as it blocks the sewerage system, damages components, and adversely affects the treatment process. People working in and around the sewerage system can be harmed if toxic substances are discharged into the sewer.

Discharges such as these are classified as prohibited substances under the Water Supply (Safety & Reliability) Act 2008, and illegal discharge carries heavy penalties. 

Petroleum waste causes dangerous gas build up in the sewer system. Acid and strong chemical waste corrodes sewerage components. Strong dye affects the colour of treated effluent. High levels of detergent such as those discharged from commercial laundries create heavy foam and cause nutrient problems.

Oil and grease from poorly maintained Grease Arrestors pose a particular problem causing sewer blockages and place unnecessary loading on the Wastewater Treatment Plants.

It is an offence under the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 to discharge trade waste to the sewer without a Trade Waste Permit.

• List of Prohibited Substances
• Information on Sewer Admission Levels

Servicing

Pre-treatment facilities must be serviced regularly by Licenced Liquid Waste Contractors to meet sewer admission standards.

Cairns Regional Council Water & Waste operates a Triplicate Docket System to monitor the servicing of Grease Arrestors and other pre-treatment facilities.

Environmental Management

Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste controls trade waste through its Trade Waste Environmental Management Plan which is a requirement under the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008. The Trade Waste Environmental Management Plan is based on the "user pays" principle, ensuring that commercial users of the system pay for the costs incurred by Water and Waste for treatment of this waste.

• Trade Waste Environmental Management Plan

The Trade Waste Environmental Management Plan also acts to reduce pollution, lower risks to public health, promote conservation, and provide information for future planning.

Industrial and commercial users are required to pay trade waste charges accordingly.  Additional charges relating to the volume of the waste being discharged and its composition may apply.

Stormwater and surface run-off from stormwater is an illegal discharge to sewer and should never be diverted to the sewerage system. Stormwater adds volume which can cause sewage overflow. It also increases pumping and treatment costs. This results in higher costs to Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste and increased rates to property owners.

Basics on Grease Arrestors

Grease Arrestors are designed to keep as much grease, fats and oil as possible out of the sewerage system to minimise blockages and odours. A Grease Arrestor cools waste allowing fats and cooking oils to separate and float to the service of the 'trap'. Some solids may settle to the bottom of the arrestor as sludge.

Grease Arrestors must be serviced regularly as stated on your Permit conditions and by a Licensed Liquid Waste Contractor. This will ensure sewer admission levels are adhered to and will reduce odours and prolong the life of the Grease Arrestor.  A correctly sized arrestor will need servicing about every three months. Recommendations for servicing times are listed in the conditions of your Permit. Keep vents, lids, frames and concrete surrounds in good order. Poorly fitted or damaged vents, lids and frames may allow odours to escape or vermin to breed. Public safety and the infiltration of rainwater are also major concerns.

• Do not use solvents, enzymes, mutant bacteria, odour control agents or pesticides in your Grease Arrestor unless specifically approved by Water and Waste.
• Do not attempt to clean your arrestor yourself.
• Do not discharge cooking oils to the sewer (all oils should be recycled)
• Do not discharge garbage grinder or hairdresser's waste through your Grease Arrestor.  This will adversely affect the quality of effluent discharged to the sewer and you will need to service your arrestor more frequently.

If you are unsure if your business discharges trade waste, please contact our Cairns Regional Council Water & Waste Trade Waste Officers on (07) 4044 8204 or alternatively, please email tradewaste@cairns.qld.gov.au and they will address any concerns you may have and if necessary, inspect the premises.