What is commercial waste?

Food preparation and cooking, as well as the cleaning

of the areas in which these tasks are performed,

generates commercial waste (also known as greasy

waste) which is discharged into the sewerage system.

Commercial waste can cause sewer blockages if not

managed properly.

How do I obtain a trade waste consent?

A trade waste consent outlines the conditions for discharging greasy waste into our sewerage system including installing and maintaining an appropriately sized grease trap.

To apply for a trade waste consent, go to citywestwater.com.au to complete and submit an “Application for Trade Waste Consent (food business) to City West Water”.

Upon acceptance of your application, City West Water will issue a Commercial Waste Consent (usually a fixed 10 year term).

Do I need to install a grease trap?

Businesses that produce commercial waste are usually required to install and maintain an adequately sized grease trap in accordance with City West Water requirements.

The purpose to the grease trap is to trap fats, oils and grease as well as food particles. By having a well maintained grease trap the risk of your waste blocking sewer pipes is reduced.

Kitchen fixtures including floor drains, kitchen sinks, dishwashers, cleaner’s sinks and bin wash areas must be connected to the grease trap.

Installing your grease trap

Grease traps must be installed either above or below ground.

Grease traps must be installed by a licensed plumber in a location that provides access for regular maintenance.

Where access is limited, remote suction lines are acceptable, however they must not be connected directly to the grease trap.

Prior to the installation of a grease trap, a City West Water plumbing application must be completed for approval to connect to City West Water’s sewer.

Refer to City West Water’s website for standard trade waste drawings of grease traps.

If your business falls into one of the following commercial waste categories, you are legally required to hold a trade waste consent with City West Water under the Water Act 1989:

• Bakeries

• Butchers and delicatessens

• Restaurants, cafeterias and canteens

• Schools

• Cafes

• Function centres

• Supermarkets

• Fast food and takeaway shops

• Caterers

• Ice cream shops

• Commercial kitchens.

Commercial waste information for food business owners

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Maintaining your grease trapGrease traps become less effective as grease, oil and sludge accumulate in them. Grease traps require regular cleaning to prevent blockages, odour problems and health hazards.

Your trade waste consent will outline the maintenance requirements for your grease trap. It is your responsibility to ensure the grease trap is maintained. You will need to contact an EPA licensed waste collector to remove the contents of the grease trap.

Unique barcoded labels have been assigned to every grease trap in City West Water’s service area (see right). When the EPA licensed waste collector empties the contents of the grease trap, they will scan the barcode. The scanned information enables City West Water to ensure the maintenance requirements of you trade waste consent have been met.

You can find tips to improve the efficiency of your grease trap at citywestwater.com.au/business/trade_waste.aspx. If your grease trap does not have a barcode, please contact City West Water on 9313 8366.

What size grease trap does your business need?The size of a grease trap is generally based on a maximum flow rate measured in litres per hour. Alternatively, it can be determined using one of two methods (the method which recommends the larger size grease trap should be applied):

Method 1Add the grease trap allowance for each fixture* in litres

Plumbing & kitchen fixtures Grease trap allowance per fixture (in litres)

Single bowl sink 100

Double bowl sink 200

Pot sink (deep bowl) 150

Floor waste 50 per outlet

Bain-marie 50

Wok Table

• Waterless

• Continuous

100 per burner

200 per burner

Bin Wash Area 200

Cleaners Sink 50

Dishwasher

• Domestic

• Commercial

200

500

Dishwasher (tunnel) Size to be advised by

City West Water

Hand basin 50

Pasta Cooker 100

Steam Combi Oven 600

Gas vat / hotplate barbeque 500 per barbeque

*For additional fixtures see City West Water’s ‘Grease Trap Size – Calculator Guide’ at: www.citywestwater.com.au/documents/grease_trap_calculator.pdf

Method 2If your business has seated dining, use the number of seats to determine the appropriate grease trap size

Seated dining capacity (persons)

Grease trap size required (in litres)

0–40 600

41–70 1,100

71–200 2,000

201–500 3,000

501–800 4,000

801–1000 5,000

Other important information

Minimum size grease trap for

fast food chain outlets

3000 litres

Maximum allowable size of any

grease trap

5000 litres

Does your business require the services of a waste collector? A list of EPA Victoria licensed waste collectors is available as an FAQ question in the Trade Waste section of the City West Water website (see link at left).

THIS INFORMATION IS A GUIDE ONLY: Contact City West Water on 9313 8366 for assistance if required.

QES Management System

Issue Date: / / Page 1/1Document ERD- Rev