SA Water provides water and wastewater services to our customers based on a standard contract to supply. The sewerage service involves the collection, treatment and ultimate disposal of wastewater from normal activities in households and specific wastewaters relating to sanitation from other properties.

The quantitity, flow rate or contaminants in other wastewater types - such as trade waste - vary greatly, as do their treatment and disposal costs and associated risks. Therefore specific authorisation is needed to discharge these other wastewater types to SA Water's sewerage system.

Trade waste is any wastewater and substances contained within it arising from any industrial, business, trade or manufacturing activity, which is discharged from a property's internal sewer to SA Water's sewerage system.

Wherever possible, and where disposal of trade waste to sewer is the best option, SA Water aims to accept this material, but only if the customer applies for a trade waste discharge permit and then complies with its conditions. This is a legal requirement under Section 56 of the Water Industry Act 2012.

Our Trade Waste General Policy sets out how we manage trade waste acceptance. SA Water has developed a Restricted Wastewater Acceptance Framework to replace the general policy. Consultation on this draft is in progress until 1 May 2013. More information about providing feedback.

Find out more about applying for a discharge permit.

To check if you have a discharge permit, or need to apply for a discharge permit, contact the Trade Waste Branch by phoning (08) 7424 1336.

SA Water's Restricted Wastewater Acceptance Policy details how we manage the acceptance of trade waste to sewer.
 

• Applying for a Discharge Permit  
• Trade Waste Guidelines and Fact Sheets
• Business Sustainability Group  
• Trade Waste Application Forms
• Restricted Wastewater Acceptance Standards
• Trade Waste 2012-13 fees and charges brochure