There are a number of steps required when applying for approval to dispose of trade waste.

Fill in our Trade Waste form or email letschat@essentialwater.com.au to arrange an onsite inspection with our Senior Plumbing Inspector. The applicant must be either the owner or the occupier of the premises requiring a Trade Waste permit. If the applicant is not the owner of the premises, the owner’s consent to the application is required.

Essential Water’s written approval is required prior to commencing discharging liquid trade waste to its sewerage system.

How to apply

1. Talk to us and arrange an inspection. Submit a Trade Waste Inspection Request or contact our team before lodging your application. We will inspect the premises, discuss your business activities and explain the requirements.
2. Complete your application. Submit the Liquid Trade Waste Application and the relevant attachments. The property owner or occupier can apply. If the occupier applies, the property owner must consent. We can help you identify and complete the forms you need.
3. We assess your application. We review the proposed discharge, treatment equipment and controls against our requirements. We may need further information or written advice from the relevant NSW Government department.
4. Receive the outcome. We will advise whether your application is approved, approved with conditions or refused. If approved, you will need to enter into a Liquid Trade Waste Services Agreement and meet its conditions.
5. Keep your arrangements up to date. Maintain any required equipment and comply with the monitoring, sampling and other conditions that apply to your approval.
6. Submit an application. Use the relevant application forms and attachments for food preparation businesses, mechanical repairers, laboratories and animal wash facilities.
7. Your responsibilities. Property owners are responsible for trade waste discharged from their property, including approval requirements and applicable fees and charges. Business operators must follow the discharge conditions that apply to their activities.
8. Tell us about a change of owner or occupier, even if the business activities stay the same. Contact us before changing your business activity, wastewater process, equipment, or the quantity or type of discharge.
9. Approvals are not transferable, and a change may require a new approval.

Application forms and attachments

• Liquid Trade Waste Application (C1)
• Stand alone commercial retail food preparation business application attachment (C2)
• Mechanical repairers application attachment (C3)
• Laboratory application attachment (C4)
• Animal wash application attachment (C5)

Need help?

Call 1800441888 or email letschat@essentialwater.com.au to speak with a Water Specialist. For trade waste applications and inspections, email tradewaste@essentialwater.com.au or submit a Trade Waste Inspection Request.