The Council has a new charging formula for the disposal of trade waste in the District. This follows the adoption of a Trade Waste Bylaw in September 2008.
Trade Waste is defined as any liquid waste product produced as a result of commercial and and/or industrial activity, process or operation. It includes condensing or cooling towers, domestic sewerage, and stowmwater which cannot be practically separated.
The Trade Waste bylaw sets out the conditions under which the Council accepts the discharge of trade waste into the wastewater reticulation system. The bylaw, which is based on the New Zealand Standard Model, introduces a new charging formula for trade waste.
Charges
The Council can recover fees and charges in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002, and these are set in the Fees and Charges schedule included in the Annual Plan or Long Term Plan.
Who is affected?
All commercial, industrial, manufacturing or trade businesses that discharge to the wastewater system will need to apply for a Trade Waste consent. Activities that are likely to be affected include (list not exhaustive):
- Commercial swimming pools
- Dentists
- Drycleaners
- Food premises
- Hospitals and rest homes
- Laundries
- Medical centres (including doctors' surgeries)
- Motor vehicle industries
- Printers
- Schools
- Vehicle hire, hire equipment or machinery wash facilities
- Veterinary clinics
How are Trade Waste charges calculated?
All activities that discharge trade waste require a waste consent under the Council’s Trade Waste Bylaw and are liable to pay trade waste charges.
Trade waste charges are calculated based on two components:
- Volume – the amount of waste disposed through the sewer – measured in cubic metres
- Strength – a measure of the biological oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids in the waste disposed. BOD measures the content of fine solid materials.
Invoices are sent out twice a year. If a property is rented by a business entity that produces the waste, then the property owner/ratepayer is entitled to pass on the charge to the tenant.
What is the process for obtaining a trade waste consent?
If you discharge trade waste to the wastewater system, you must apply for a trade waste consent. An application form can be obtained by contacting the Council.
Once your application for a trade waste consent has been received, the Council’s Trade Waste Officer will contact you and may arrange an onsite assessment. If a site visit is necessary, it will be used to assess the criteria that may include, but are not limited to:
- Appropriate pre-treatment devices, including maintenance and service requirements
- Hazardous storage needs
- Monitoring requirements (including strength and volume) for your trade waste discharge
- Identifying any spill management issues applicable to your business
You must comply with all of the consent conditions that are imposed.
What costs are involved?
The charges will depend on the type of waste discharged.
- All costs associated with applying for and obtaining a consent are the responsibility of the applicant
- If monitoring is required under your consent, you must pay for all sampling and analysis required under your consent conditions
- When the source of any trade waste related problem is identified, the generator can be held financially liable for remedial costs
How can I reduce trade waste?
Businesses will pay less for Trade Waste and water if wastewater is reduced. One of the most effective methods is reducing the volume of discharge by reducing water consumption.
Here are a few ideas on how to reduce water consumption:
- Monitor water usage in each area of your business to identify abnormal water use. Check for water leaks on all taps, toilets and valves. Record water meter readings at the beginning and end of closed hours when no water should be used. If the water meter has moved during this period, you have a leak and should contact a plumber.
- Use the data from your monitoring to identify areas of high consumption, so you can make the biggest reductions by focusing on the problem areas first.
- Encourage staff to embrace water efficiency and brainstorm water-saving practices specific to your business.
- Install flow restrictors on taps and hoses. Place a brick in the toilet cistern to displace water. This will reduce the volume discharged.
- Install water efficient appliances and fixtures when upgrading. Check water ratings for dishwashers and washing machines. Install low flow taps, sensor/time release taps, half-flush toilet cisterns and high-velocity low-flow hose fittings.
- Where possible, use dry cleaning options such as sweeping or vacuuming for cleaning floors and external areas. There are now waterless methods of cleaning vehicles available on the market, particularly useful for car yards.
- If you are a particularly large water consumer, look at methods to reuse water to flush toilets.
- Dispose of potentially hazardous materials as special waste rather than via the sewer. This will reduce effluent volume and strength of discharge.
Who can I contact to discuss this further?
For more information regarding the Trade Waste Bylaw, contact our Three Waters team on 07 306 0500 or email info@whakatane.govt.nz.