Getting Connected
| Related Pages | |
|---|---|
| Service Overview | |
| Maintaining Your Service | |
| Application Forms | |
This topic provides an overview of the typical process for establishing your Industrial Waste service and getting your Permit.
The basic process involves the following steps…
- Connect to Deep Sewerage, if available and you’re not already on
- Engaging a Licensed Plumber
- Completing Your Application Form
- Our Industrial Waste Officers will carry out an Assessment
- We will Issue Your Permit
Further detail on the process is available below. Click one of the steps listed above to scroll to the relevant information, or simply page down to read the about the entire process.
Remember, your licensed plumber or hydraulic consultant can assist you with the application and assessment processes for connection to our Industrial Waste service.
If you are a new customer connecting to the service for the first time, then we would suggest you also read our Service Overview, and see our information on Maintaining Your Service to find out how the service will operate after you are connected.
Connect to Deep Sewerage
The physical connection to the Industrial Waste service is via your pre-existing standard sewerage connection. So having sewerage available in your area, and connected to your property, is a pre-requisite for the Industrial Waste service. If sewerage is not available in your area, you should contact your Local Government Authority environmental health officers to inquire about constraints and options for your wastewater disposal.
If you are not already connected to deep sewerage, but would like to enquire about this, please contact our Technical Enquiries team on 13 13 95. Alternatively, some general information on standard sewerage connection is provided in our Conditions for Connection brochure.
But physical sewer connection alone is not the only requirement. You also need permission to use it for your non-domestic wastewater. Consequently, you must apply for an Industrial Waste Permit before you can discharge your industrial wastewater into the sewer system.
Note: Because of potential threats to the environment and public health, the requirement for a Permit is included in water industry regulations. This ensures that proper assessment and controls are applied. It is illegal to discharge non-domestic wastewater to sewer without a Permit, and penalties do apply.
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Engaging a Licensed Plumber
If you are doing any plumbing work to fit-out your premises, or to install any pre-treatment fixtures (such as grease traps) that you might require, then you will need to engage a licensed plumber.
Your licensed plumber can assist you with the application and assessment processes for connection to our Industrial Waste service. (But YOU must read and sign the application. Applications signed by third parties cannot be accepted.)
Alternatively, you can complete the application process yourself, and await your assessment and the issue of your Permit. If any pre-treatment fixtures or plumbing modifications are required as conditions of your permit, then you will need to engage a licensed plumber to carry out that work at that time.
To find a plumber, check with the Plumbers Licensing Board or the Yellow Pages. Many plumbers specialise in particular areas of plumbing work. When selecting a plumber, it’s a good idea to ask if they specialise in commercial work, or have experience with commercial work.
Completing your Application Form
You will need to attach copies of the plumbing plans of your premises, and other relevant information. This shows our assessment officers what process activities and facilities you have on site, which aids in the determination of the nature and volume of wastewater you will be discharging.
The process is fairly straightforward for many common commercial activities, but may become more complicated if your business involves unusual chemical processes or unique types of activities. Your licensed plumber may be able to assist you with preparation of any technical data required.
Assessment
A Water Corporation Industrial Waste Officer will review the information in your application, and may visit your premises. They will assess whether your waste can be accepted into the sewer system, and any conditions that will need to apply.
These controls are unfortunate, but necessary in order to ensure:
- The protection of public health from failures in the wastewater system,
- The safety of workers operating the sewerage system,
- The ability of our wastewater system to adequately treat and dispose of your waste, and thus protect the environment to which your wastewater will ultimately be discharged, and
- The suitability of our treated wastewater for conservation and re-use applications is not compromised by contaminants from industrial wastes.
These conditions usually relate to the installation and proper maintenance of an appropriate pre-treatment fixture (such as a grease trap, bucket trap, oil separator, floor waste, etc.)
The assessment may also determine a maintenance schedule that you must follow, to ensure that your pre-treatment fixture continues to perform properly. For example, it could specify how often your grease trap must be emptied of the solids and grease it has captured. (Note: Any special conditions associated with your Permit can always be reviewed if your situation or business operations change).
Sometimes, plumbing modifications may be required to separate certain waste streams. For example, very hot soapy water from dishwashers cannot pass through your grease trap, as it will liquefy and dissolve the trapped grease and flush it into the sewer! Your dishwasher water can still go into the sewer of course, but it must be connected downstream of your grease trap.
Once the nature of your wastewater has been determined by this assessment, we will be able to identify an appropriate charging basis for the discharge of your Industrial Waste to sewer.
Issuing your Permit
Your Industrial Waste Permit will be issued when our assessment is complete, and the necessary controls and conditions appropriate for your discharges have been determined.
Once you have this Permit, you can arrange installation of any pre-treatment fixtures or plumbing modifications that are required, take any other actions to ensure you can meet your Permit conditions, and begin to discharge your wastewater to the sewer!