You will require this approval if you intend to undertake development or business that may produce trade wastewater. Trade wastewater is defined as the liquid waste generated from any non-residential property (commercial or industrial, business, trade or manufacturing process) regardless of whether the wastewater is discharged to sewer or transported by tanker to one of Hunter Water's wastewater treatment works. It does not include domestic wastewater (i.e. water from toilet, hand wash basin, shower and bath wastes).
All companies and businesses operating in the Hunter Water area of operations and discharging wastewater in the sewerage system will need to comply with these requirements.
There are four agreements which reflect increasing levels of risk associated with a particular discharge:
- Category 1 includes domestic type waste discharge only. Typical business activities include hair dressers etc.
- Category 2 includes domestic and process water discharge which will likely need pre-treatment prior to discharge or have restrictions on discharge. Typical business activities include small retail foods producers, restaurants, mechanical workshops, butchers, bakers, dentists etc.
- Category 3 includes domestic and process water discharge where the need for pre-treatment prior to discharge and restrictions on discharge are highly likely. Typical business activities include large retail food producers, car wash, vehicle spray painters, service stations, large pubs and clubs and smaller shopping centres.
- Category 4 includes domestic and process water discharge where the need for pre-treatment prior to discharge and restrictions on discharge are highly likely. Further, contaminant loads may be significant and / or include restricted substances and multiple businesses may be operating from the premises. Typical business activities include food manufacture and processing, metal processing, oil refinery, chemical production, municipal swimming pools, hospitals, large shopping centres.
The fees and regulations may be different for each category of discharge.
Please consult with your local council or Hunter Water for more information.
