Industry guidelines, policy and legislation

We have introduced a streamlined Trade Waste Policy (PDF 92KB) to ensure we comply with current state legislation and have a consistent approach to trade waste management across the Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions which incorporates National Best Practice Principles from the WSA Guidelines.

We are also committed to minimising the environmental impact of trade waste and providing a greater emphasis on user-pays.

The following requirements apply to Unitywater’s Trade Waste Policy:

1. All permits and agreements are issued directly to the business owner.
2. Trade waste business owners will be responsible for trade waste discharge under the conditions set out in the permit, fees and charges.
3. There are three standardised categories of trade waste customers: high risk, medium risk and low risk depending on the level of risk associated with the waste.

Unitywater has also developed a Trade Waste Management Plan (PDF 596KB) which outlines the day-to-day management of trade waste discharges to the sewer.

Trade waste approvals are issued in accordance with the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 refer Part 6 sections 180 to 186.

It is an offence to discharge trade waste to the sewer without an approval (deemed, permit or agreement) refer to Part 7 Sections 193 of the Act.

The Act specifies that the service provider (Unitywater) must consider certain things when assessing applications to discharge trade waste to the sewer refer Part 6 sections 180. 

Relevant Legislation:

• Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008
• South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) Act 2007
  
• South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009
  

Also refer to Unitywater’s Trade Waste Policy (PDF 92KB)