Trade Effluent (non-household sewage)
Trade effluent is contaminated liquid that is produced in a process carried out at a trade premises. Trade effluent doesn’t include domestic sewage, such as normal kitchen and toilet waste.
Lots of businesses produce trade effluent. Some of the most common include chemical manufacturing plants, car washes, swimming pools, and companies involved in food production.
As you can imagine, trade effluent discharges vary a lot, both in volume and composition; a launderette will produce a relatively low volume of liquid contaminated with detergents, whilst a manufacturing plant may produce thousands of litres of wastewater contaminated with toxic substances that may damage the environment.
This makes it quite complex and means that trade effluent discharges need to be properly assessed and regulated. Since all water is recycled and must flow back to the environment, it is crucial that trade effluent disposal is controlled well, in order to protect both public health and the environment.
Due to the polluter pays principle, you could be prosecuted if you discharge something that impacts the treatment process, damages the sewer, causes damage to the environment or creates a blockage.
Consent
Under section 118 of the 1991 Water Industry Act, it is an offence to discharge trade effluent without consent from the water wholesaler, so it’s really important you obtain consent before disposing.
This is the responsibility of the business owner.
You will still need to gain consent for short-term discharges. You will need temporary consent for discharges lasting less than six months, such as chemical cleaning of heating systems.
How do I get consent?
Step 1 | Fill in the relevant form below, and email it to us at customer.services@everflowutilities.com. The forms can be complicated, so we would recommend using a guide alongside to help you out. G01
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| Step 2 | We will contact your wholesaler who will process your application, and we’ll keep you in the loop with updates from them.
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| Step 3 | The wholesaler will either approve or deny your request. If approved, you will receive a letter of authority. The consent may contain conditions surrounding self monitoring the flow and composition of the effluent you discharge. The wholesaler may sample the effluent to monitor compliance on a routine basis. If the wholesaler deems the trade effluent unsuitable for discharge into the sewer, they will not issue consent. In this case, alternative methods should be considered, such as tankering. If this happens, appeals can be made to Ofwat. You can find out more about wholesaler’s individual policies and enforcement by visiting your wholesaler’s website.
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If there’s a change to your process which might affect your trade effluent, contact us as soon as you can so that, if we need to, we can apply for a new consent for you.
How is it charged?
We calculate trade effluent charges by multiplying the volume of discharge by the unit rate.
Your unit rate is calculated using something called the Mogden Formula. It sounds and looks a bit confusing, but it’s basically just adding the different components of the wastewater treatment process together.
Your volume will then either be calculated using meter reads, calculated discharge, or allowances.
It’s a complex mixture of pigments and extenders, binders, solvents, and additives. When you’re giving your business premises a refresh you shouldn’t put them down the drain or flush them as some can be considered hazardous waste.