Do you need a Trade Waste Consent?
If you operate a food premises, then YES - you need a Trade Waste Consent.
- Restaurants, kitchens, and food service establishments discharge liquid wastes into the wastewater network. These wastes are classified as trade wastes and include food wastes and food by products such as solids, grease, fats and oils carried by water. Although the amount of waste from any single food outlet may be relatively small, the effect of the total amount of liquid waste being discharged from within the city is very significant.
Large quantities of grease, fats and oils entering the wastewater system can cause a number of problems. These include blockages, overflows, treatment problems, and hazards to public health and Council personnel and can also result in pollution of the river environment.
All food preparation fixtures (e.g., sinks, wash-down hoods, floor drains) in commercial kitchens must be connected to a grease trap that is connected to the wastewater system. Washing down into storm water drains is not permitted.
- Grease, fat wastes and solids can be reduced by installing a greases trap. You may already have a grease trap or could be required to install a trap under the bylaw ( see complying set-up illustration).
- If you have a grease trap, it should be serviced and maintained regularly. Frequency of servicing is site-specific and dependent on the amount of grease and oil, as well as suspended solids generated from your premises.
- Hamilton City Council recommends that grease traps are inspected regularly to check on proper operation. Servicing is undertaken by an approved liquid waste contractor, or the company that installed the grease trap if they provide this service.
- A Council Environmental Health Officer will check if your grease trap is being cleaned regularly during their premises inspections. The wastewater from the trap may also be monitored.
- You should provide evidence that the grease trap has been cleaned, e.g., invoice from your liquid waste contractor.
Checklist
Do I have a trade waste discharge?
- YES - Contact Water, Drainage and Refuse to obtain an application form on 07 838 6999
Do I have a grease trap?
- YES - Ensure it is serviced and maintained regularly and provide proof of cleaning ( e.g. invoice)
- No - Contact Water, Drainage and Refuse to assess if you need a grease trap, phone 838 6999
Summary of your responsibilities and charges
- If you discharge trade waste to the wastewater network then under the Hamilton City Council Trade Waste Bylaw you must apply for a trade waste consent.
- Consent holders must pay an annual charge.
- You must comply with the monitoring conditions of your consent, if any are imposed.
- If monitoring is required you must pay for all sampling and analysis required by your consent. You must also pay for further sampling or monitoring if requested by a Council Officer due to non-compliance.
- You must have on the premises documented proof o ongoing maintenance for your grease trap or grease removal system.
- If you are required to install a trap, you must pay for the installation.
- When the source of any trade waste related problem is identified, the generator can be held financially liable for remedial costs.
Best Management Practice
How you can help yourself by reducing the waste going down the drain?
- SCRAPE all plate waste into a bin. Place with regular rubbish. Food waste can also be composted or collected for animal feed
- PLACE used oil/grease from pots and pans into a waste grease container. This waste can be collected and recycled
- AVOID spills and contain spills. Absorb with dry material and dispose of with regular rubbish
- DO NOT POUR any waste into a stormwater drain. This is an offence, and you can be fined
- INSTALL a screen or strainer to your waste outlets
- INFORM staff of procedures if you have a grease trap Make sure it is serviced and maintained regularly
Need Assistance?
To obtain a trade waste consent, contact the Environmental Resource Officer or Trade Waste Officer on 838 6999
If you require a grease trap to be installed, please contact Hamilton City Council Building Control on 838 6677
|
