Water companies define your trade effluent regulations on a case-by-case basis.
Often, depending on the size and scale of your business, the industry you’re in and the amount of trade in your area. Some of the factors they may consider are:
- Temperature: High temperatures create an unsafe working environment so you must remain within the limit (43.3°C).
- Ammonia: As well as being highly toxic to animals, ammonia can cause toxicity issues.
- Volume/flow rate: The amount of trade effluent you dispose of daily will depend on the limit outlined in your consent.
- Chemical Oxygen Demand Limit: This measurement shows how much chemical is in your effluent. Authorities set limits to prevent wastewater facilities from being overwhelmed.
- Suspended solids: Solid particles like silt or sediment in your liquid effluent can damage pipes.
- Oil and Grease: Fats, oils and grease (FOG) can damage public water ways when they solidify, causing blockages.
- pH: Sewage treatment facilities control the pH balance to protect staff, ensure effective treatment and protect infrastructure.
Water companies only class septic tank waste as trade effluent when it includes discharge from industrial processes.