Your complete guide to Sydney Water trade waste guidelines

Everything you need to know about trade waste compliance in New South Wales

Sydney’s diverse industries—from bustling cafes in the CBD to large-scale manufacturing in industrial hubs like Parramatta and Blacktown—generate significant amounts of trade waste. Managing this waste responsibly is not just about meeting legal obligations; it’s about safeguarding the environment and ensuring sustainable business practices.

More than five million people live in Sydney, the Illawarra, and the Blue Mountains. This area is serviced by Sydney Water, which is the largest wastewater service provider in Australia. Each day 1.5 billion litres of wastewater is collected and processed by Sydney Water. Their network is made up of over 25,000 km of piping, almost 700 pumping stations, 14 recycling plants, and 16 treatment plants.

Sydney Water has also developed a reputation as one of the most proactive wastewater service providers in Australia. Their hydrocarbon limits are much more stringent than most other states, and their inspections are known to be very thorough.

We’ll teach you the basics in plain English

It can be a complicated topic to learn about, but we’re going to keep things straightforward and simple in this guide. Get in touch for a detailed explanation of regulations related to your business. 

For now, here’s what we’ll cover in this blog:

• What trade waste is and why compliance matters.

• How to apply for a Sydney Water trade waste agreement.

• Key components of Sydney Water’s trade waste guidelines and policies.

• Practical solutions for managing trade waste effectively.

For expert advice and tailored solutions, we design specialised water treatment systems for businesses in all industries. Your custom system will give you everything you need to reliably dispose of your trade waste in accordance with New South Wales’ regulations.

Understanding Sydney Water trade waste policy

What is trade waste water?

Trade waste refers to liquid waste generated by commercial or industrial activities, distinct from domestic sewage. Without proper management, these pollutants can damage Sydney’s sewer infrastructure, disrupt wastewater connection, and pose serious environmental risks. Common contaminants include:

• Oils and grease from hospitality venues like restaurants.

• Chemicals and heavy metals from manufacturing plants.

• Sediments and detergents from automotive services, including car washes and workshops.

Without proper management, these pollutants can damage Sydney’s sewer infrastructure and pose serious environmental risks.

Why compliance matters

Compliance with Sydney Water’s trade waste regulations offers several key benefits:

• Environmental protection: Prevents harmful substances from entering local waterways, including iconic areas like Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River.

• Avoidance of fines and legal action: Ensures businesses operate within legal limits, helping them avoid financial penalties.

• Sustainability and reputation: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible business practices, earning trust from customers and the community.

Sydney Water’s role in trade waste management

Sydney Water oversees the collection, treatment, and discharge of trade waste across the city. Its responsibilities include:

• Issuing trade waste agreements.

• Monitoring businesses for compliance.

• Enforcing penalties for non-compliance to protect public health and the environment.

Local water authorities also work in specific areas like Blacktown, Penrith, and Inner West Sydney, tailoring guidelines to meet regional needs.

What is a Sydney Water trade waste agreement?

A Sydney Water trade waste agreement is a formal contract between a business and Sydney Water that regulates wastewater quality generated by businesses. It specifies:

• Discharge limits: Permissible levels of specific contaminants.

• Pre-treatment equipment requirements: Equipment needed to treat and discharge trade wastewater.

• Monitoring and reporting: Ongoing obligations to track compliance.

Types of Sydney Water trade waste agreements

Sydney Water offers two types of trade wastewater agreements: commercial and industrial. Regardless of your business type, you’ll need written approval from Sydney Water before discharging any trade wastewater into the sewerage system.

Commercial trade wastewater agreements apply to businesses like cafes, car washes, laundromats, mechanical workshops, and shopping centres. Many of these operations require pre-treatment systems to ensure wastewater meets Sydney Water’s standards. Depending on your setup, this could involve grease traps, oil separators, or other pre-treatment solutions to remove contaminants before the business can discharge commercial trade wastewater.

Industrial trade wastewater agreements are designed for larger-scale operations such as manufacturing, textiles, petroleum, cement production, and printing. These businesses face stricter regulations, with wastewater subject to random testing to ensure it consistently meets Sydney Water’s compliance standards. Whether your operations are big or small, maintaining compliance is essential to avoid penalties and protect Sydney’s waterways.

Who needs a trade waste agreement?

Sydney Water requires businesses across a wide range of industries to comply with trade waste regulations, ensuring wastewater is properly treated before it enters the sewer system. We’ve worked with businesses in practically all major NSW industries to create compliant water treatment solutions.

Hospitality

• Restaurants and cafes: Generate significant levels of grease, food particles, and organic waste.

• Food and dairy processing: Produce wastewater with high concentrations of fats, oils, and cleaning chemicals, posing a risk to sewer infrastructure.

Automotive and Transport

• Car washes and vehicle washdown facilities: Discharge large volumes of water containing hydrocarbons, detergents, and dirt.

• Service stations and workshops: Handle oily wastewater and chemical pollutants from vehicle maintenance.

Manufacturing and Industrial Operations

• Factories and industrial facilities: Discharge wastewater containing heavy metals, solvents, and other hazardous chemicals.

• Industrial equipment cleaning and processing: Can introduce significant contaminants like lubricants and chemical residues into wastewater.

• Industrial water treatment and processing: May produce concentrated waste streams that require specialised pre-treatment.

Waste Management and Recycling

• Landfill and solid waste management: Produce leachate containing hazardous substances that must be treated before discharge.

• Municipal wastewater treatment: Requires strict monitoring to prevent overloading sewer networks with untreated waste.

• Composting facilities: Generate nutrient-rich leachate that, if not managed, could harm local waterways.

Agriculture and Livestock

• Meat and livestock processing: Wastewater contains blood, fats, and proteins that need proper treatment.

• Quarantine facilities: Produce wastewater containing potentially harmful biological contaminants that must be neutralised.

Mining and Resource Extraction

• Mining operations: Generate wastewater containing heavy metals, sediment, and other pollutants that pose environmental risks.

Public Sector and Municipal Services

• Transport depots: Discharge waste from vehicle cleaning and maintenance activities.

• Municipal waste facilities: Manage high volumes of varied waste that requires stringent monitoring and treatment.

Without a trade waste agreement, these businesses risk:

• Severe financial penalties: Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and legal action.

• Environmental harm: Untreated wastewater can cause significant damage to local waterways and ecosystems.

• Operational shutdowns: Sydney Water may enforce closures until compliance measures are in place.

Key trade wastewater limits for Sydney Water compliance

Sydney Water compliance standards for trade wastewater are published online. The purpose of these limits is to protect the workers at Sydney Water, ensure that public health is maintained and also protect the environment from pollutants. Some contaminants may also be damaging to Sydney Water equipment if not strictly controlled.

Some industries may also face additional costs associated with meeting stricter discharge limits or installing advanced pre-treatment systems. These costs are necessary to ensure compliance and protect the integrity of Sydney Water’s infrastructure.

How to apply for a Sydney Water trade waste agreement

Step-by-step application process

1. Eligibility check: Determine if your business requires a trade waste agreement.

2. Prepare documentation: Gather essential documents, including

• Site and plumbing plans.
• Process flow diagrams
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used.

3. Submit your application: Apply for Sydney trade waste agreements through the Sydney Water Tap portal

4. Review and approval: Sydney Water reviews your submission and issues an agreement outlining your obligations.

5. Pre-treatment conditions are set: These must be selected from an approved list of suppliers. Using an unapproved supplier may result in you having to remove the equipment and change to an approved supplier at great cost and inconvenience.

6. Inspections: Inspectors from Sydney Water inspect your facility should they deem it necessary.

7. Consent forms: A consent form is issued by Sydney Water detailing the terms of the agreement, including acceptance standards.

8. Periodic tests: Reviews of your trade wastewater will be conducted to determine your compliance. In addition, Sydney Water keeps a close watch on water quality within the wastewater system and can track back to potential sources should there be an excursion.

Tips for a smooth application

• Accurate documentation: Ensure your application is complete and correct to avoid delays.

• Pre-install compliance checks: Work with experts like Cleanawater to verify your setup meets Sydney Water’s requirements before submitting your application.

Navigating Sydney Water trade waste guidelines

Industry-specific discharge limits

Sydney Water sets specific discharge limits depending on the industry. Key examples include:

• Hospitality: Limits on fats, oils, and grease (FOG).

• Automotive: Controls on hydrocarbons and detergents.

• Industrial: Restrictions on heavy metals like lead and mercury.

Pre-treatment system requirements

To meet these limits, businesses must install pre-treatment systems such as a:

• Grease trap: Capture FOG in hospitality settings.

• Oil-water separator: Remove hydrocarbons in automotive facilities.

• Sediment trap: Filter out solid particles in industrial operations.

Monitoring and reporting compliance

Regular monitoring and reporting ensure wastewater discharge remains within permissible limits. Businesses must:

• Conduct regular sampling and testing of their trade waste.

• Submit compliance reports to Sydney Water as required by their agreement.

Sydney Water trade waste policy: Key compliance points

Overview of the trade waste policy

Sydney Water’s trade waste policy focuses on environmental protection and sustainability by:

• Enforcing strict discharge limits.

• Mandating pre-treatment and monitoring systems.

• Promoting water conservation and recycling practices.

Consequences of non-compliance

Non-compliance with trade waste regulations can result in:

• Fines of up to $250,000 for serious breaches.

• Mandatory upgrades to pre-treatment systems.

• Temporary or permanent disconnection from the sewer network.

How to manage trade waste effectively in Sydney

Tailored pre-treatment systems

Installing the right pre-treatment systems ensures compliance while protecting the environment. These systems are critical for treating trade wastewater effectively, helping businesses meet Sydney Water’s strict discharge standards.

• Grease traps for hospitality businesses.

• Oil-water separators for automotive services.

• Sediment traps for industrial facilities.

Water recycling solutions

Water recycling systems offer both environmental and financial benefits by:

• Reducing water consumption.

• Cutting costs associated with water usage and disposal.

• Enhancing sustainability credentials.

Regular maintenance and monitoring

Proactive maintenance is crucial for long-term compliance. Key tasks include:

• Cleaning grease traps and sediment pits.

• Inspecting and servicing oil-water separators.

• Regularly testing wastewater discharge for compliance.

20+ years of being the Sydney water trade waste specialist!

Trade waste compliance is essential to protecting Sydney’s waterways and keeping your business running smoothly. But navigating the maze of regulations, permits, and system requirements can feel overwhelming. That’s where Cleanawater comes in.

With over 20 years of experience, we’ve partnered with businesses across Sydney to streamline their trade waste management. From setting up efficient, compliant systems to handling the nitty-gritty of applications, we’ve got your back.

Here’s how we help:

• Cleanawater is an approved supplier of oil water separators for the Sydney Water network. Whatever your wastewater flow rate and hydrocarbon percentage, Cleanawater has a solution that will help you maintain Sydney Water compliance. We offer:

• Coalescing plate separators

• Vertical gravity separators

• Hydrocyclone separators. 

• Our pH control systems are also widely used within the Sydney Water network. We can treat wastewater that’s either acidic or basic, and can even offer a dual system if your trade wastewater varies from acidic to basic.

• Cleanawater provides water treatment unit maintenance services for all our equipment. We perform routine maintenance checks and annual services. Our long history in the industry means that you get the best technical service available for your needs.

• Beyond pre-treatment systems, our solutions also address runoff from contaminated surface water, ensuring all wastewater leaving your site is fully compliant. From coalescing plate separators to pH control systems, we design equipment tailored to your specific needs.

You don’t have to navigate trade waste compliance alone. Check out our water treatment and trade waste solutions, or get in touch today for personalised support and expert advice.

Frequently asked questions about Sydney Water trade waste compliance

How long does it take to get a trade waste agreement?

The application process typically takes a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your business operations and the accuracy of your documentation.

What happens during a Sydney Water inspection?

Sydney Water inspectors may visit your premises to check the condition of pre-treatment systems, verify compliance, and ensure that your discharge aligns with the agreed limits.

Are there costs associated with a trade waste agreement?

Yes, there may be application fees and ongoing trade waste charges. These depend on the volume and type of trade waste your business produces.

Can I apply for an exemption?

Exemptions are rare and only granted in specific cases where trade waste production is minimal or temporary. Contact Sydney Water for more information.