Liquid Trade Waste Approval

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.  

Businesses

Either the property owner or the tenant carrying out the business activity must apply for approval to discharge liquid trade waste.

Step 1.Complete the online application

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

Apply for Liquid Trade Waste Approval

Step 2.Assessment 

Once your application has been reviewed and assessed, we will contact you and may arrange an inspection of your premise.

Step 3.Approval

If your application is successful, your approval will be issued. This will contain conditions specific to your business. Liquid trade waste approvals are valid for a maximum of 5 years.

Events & Markets

Any event or market that intends to discharge wastewater into the Council sewer or dispose of tankered wastewater must apply for liquid trade waste approval.

Step 1.Complete the online application

  • Events and market activities incur a $150.00 Registration fee
  • For Category 2S events and markets – where tankered waste is disposed of at Byron Sewer Treatment Plant, the fee is $450. Tankered waste is charged per kL. Check fees and charges for more information.

Apply for Liquid Trade Waste Approval

Step 2.Assessment

Once your application has been reviewed and assessed, we will contact you and may arrange an inspection of your premise.

Step 3.Approval

If your application is successful, your approval will be issued.

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.

$150

 

Compulsory Registration - Exempt Businesses

Business activities considered exempt as listed in Byron Council’s Liquid trade waste policy guidelines.  

 $150
 

Category 1 Minimum pre-treatment 

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

  $400

Category 2 Prescribed pre-treatment 

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

 $600

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.

 $450

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. 

 $700

Early Renewal of existing approval

Applies to Businesses renewing an approval prior to expiry date.

 50% of relevant application fee
 Additional Site Inspection   $227 (per officer, per hour)

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

Change of ownership or activity

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

 

Policy and guidelines

Related Information

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