Trade effluent may not be the most talked about aspect for local businesses in Solihull and Birmingham, but it still carries many serious responsibilities, costs and potential consequences if ignored.
Put simply, trade effluent refers to any liquid waste (other than domestic sewage) that’s discharged from business premises into the public sewer system.
There are countless businesses that produce effluent waste, without even realising it. Here we will break down exactly what trade effluent is, why it matters for your business, and how to manage it responsibly to save money and resources.
Trade Effluent Explained
To understand trade effluent, it helps to first distinguish it from domestic wastewater.
Domestic wastewater includes anything discharged into the sewer from everyday household activities, such as water from toilets, sinks, dishwashers, showers, and washing machines. It’s the standard type of waste you would expect from residential properties, offices, and most small commercial premises.
Trade effluent, on the other hand, is any liquid waste discharged from commercial or industrial processes into the public sewer system that doesn’t fall under the domestic category. This could include anything contaminated with chemicals, detergents, oils, fats, or other pollutants, often in higher volumes and concentrations than household waste.
Common examples from local businesses might be water run-off from car washes, waste from commercial laundrettes, residues from food and drink manufacturing, or drainage from commercial swimming pools.
Why Does It Matter For Local Businesses?
If your business discharges any kind of non-domestic liquid waste into the sewer, you may be legally required to hold a trade effluent consent. This is a formal agreement issued by the local water authority, which sets out the conditions under which your waste can be discharged, covering things like volume, temperature, and types of contaminants.
Discharging trade effluent without a valid consent is a criminal offence, and failure to comply can lead to significant fines or even legal action. These rules are in place to protect public health and maintain the integrity of the sewerage system.
What Can You Do To Help It?
To get started, conduct a review of your current operations to identify where and how wastewater is generated. This might be through the cleaning process, equipment rinsing, or production lines.
You may already know this information, but it is handy to stay on top of it. Actionable steps? Look at installing grease traps, sedimentation tanks, or filtration systems, which can help remove contaminants before the waste reaches the sewer.
Your business water supplier should inform you of the best practices to improve your waste disposal. Castle Water have a highly detailed guide about trade effluent, which is worth a read.
Staff training plays a huge part too. Always ensure employees understand what can and can’t go down the drain, especially when it comes to disposing of oils, solvents, or cleaning chemicals.
Keep clear records of your trade effluent output and liaise regularly with your local water authority to ensure your discharge stays within consent limits.
Understand Your Trade Effluent Charges
Trade effluent is charged based on the contamination strength and volume of the waste. The cost is calculated using the Mogden formula, which considers various stages of the wastewater treatment process, such as primary treatment, biological treatment, and ammonia removal.
Some parts of the fee are fixed, while others vary based on the level of pollution in the wastewater.
If you keep continuation levels low, you may already find that your trade effluent rate is actually lower than the general sewage charges.
