Approval to discharge liquid trade waste

Any business that lets waste water (except domestic sewerage) into a Council sewer must apply for liquid trade waste approval from us. 

Use the form on this page to apply.

Liquid trade waste typically contains higher levels of:

  • grease
  • oils
  • solids
  • chemicals.

Liquid trade waste has the potential to damage the sewerage system, the environment and harm sewer operators.  

Apply

Either the property owner or the tenant carrying out the activity must apply for approval to discharge liquid trade waste. Tenants need to have written consent from the owner before they apply. 

Step 1.Complete the application form

Complete the liquid trade waste approval form

Step 2.Submit completed form

Step 3.Pay the fee

Processing fees apply. The cost depends on which category your business falls into, see liquid trade waste categories and fees below. 

Step 4.Assessment 

Once your application has been reviewed and assessed, we will email you to organise an inspection of your premise.

Step 5.Approval

Your approval will then be forwarded. This will contain conditions specific to your business. Liquid trade waste approvals are valid for a maximum of 5 years.

Change of ownership or activity

You must lodge a new application if the approval holder changes or the activity generating the waste changes. 

Liquid trade waste dischargers are divided into the following Categories with different fees. These categories are based on the level of impact dischargers have on the sewerage system.  

For more information see Fees and Charges

Table of Liquid Trade Waste categories and fees
Category Application processing fee
Compulsory Registration - New Developments

 

Applies to all new commercial developments, which are to register prior to construction. Business activities generating liquid trade waste must obtain relevant approval before operation.

 Nil

(Site inspection fees apply)

Compulsory Registration - Nil or limited pre-treatment

Business activities generating very low risk liquid trade waste as listed in Byron Council’s Liquid trade waste policy guidelines.  

 Nil
 

Category 1 Minimum pre-treatment 

Business activities generating low risk liquid trade waste requiring minimal or limited pre-treatment.

  $290

Category 2 Prescribed pre-treatment 

Business activities generating medium risk liquid trade waste that requires prescribed pre-treatment equipment (such as a grease arrestor).

 $440

Category 2S Liquid waste transport and disposal

Business activities involving transporting and discharging septic tank or portable toilet content waste. Also applies to any property with a caravan or motorhome liquid waste dump point.

 $345

Category 3 Large dischargers or complex pre-treatment

Business activities discharging large volumes (over 20 kilolitres per day) of liquid trade waste. Also applies to high-risk dischargers or Business operations not fitting the above Categories. 

 $535

Early Renewal of existing approval

Applies to Businesses renewing an approval prior to expiry date.

 50% of relevant application fee

To protect Council’s sewerage transport and treatment systems most liquid trade waste needs to be pre-treated before it is discharged. 

Typical pre-treatment processes and equipment include:

  • exclusion of solid waste – sink and floor drain screening
  • retention of grease and fat – grease arrestor
  • separation of hydrocarbon oil – oil separator
  • correction of discharge temperature – cooling pit.

More complex pre-treatment processes such as pH adjustment and biological treatment are required for some high-risk liquid trade waste streams.

Pre-treatment systems must be sized according to your business needs and must have regular maintenance. Your liquid trade waste approval will specify these requirements.

You must not discharge the following into the sewerage system or your pre-treatment system:

  • Used cooking oil
  • Solvents
  • Rain water
  • Some chemicals 
  • Any type of waste that may affect the performance of treatment processes

Your liquid trade waste approval will identify substances that must not be included in your liquid trade waste stream.

Plumbing approval

Plumbing approval is required for installing liquid trade waste pre-treatment equipment, apart from replacing sink and floor drain screening. 

To apply for plumbing approval see Plumbing and Drainage application

If the discharge of liquid trade waste is not approved or fails to comply with approval conditions, you may be subject to increased disposal costs and fines.

This is in accordance with the Local Government Act.

We may also need to recover costs of damages resulting from illegal liquid waste discharge.

 

Contact Us

Phone

02 6685 9322

Email

liquidtradewaste@byron.nsw.gov.au

Policy and guidelines

Related Information

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