Trade waste & sewage

Trade waste

Trade waste is a liquid discharge containing trade or factory wastes, chemicals or other impurities from any business, trade or manufacturing premises. Trade waste does not include domestic sewage from a hand wash basin, shower, bath or toilet. It also does not include stormwater, unpolluted water or prohibited substances, such as flammable liquids, oils, greases, acids, dead animal matter, clothing, solids, medical wastes, infectious materials, hair and chemical wastes.

There is a misconception that trade waste is always toxic and is only generated by industrial factories or large organisations. In fact, the most common trade waste is waste from commercial businesses such as food outlets, laundromats, service stations and vehicle repair workshops, equipment hire centres and animal boarding kennels to list a few. 

Only waste that can be treated biologically through Cairns Regional Council Water & Waste's treatment processes is allowed to be discharged to the sewer. Most businesses that wish to discharge their trade waste to sewer are required to pre-treat the waste to acceptable sewer admission levels prior to discharge.

Cairns Regional Council Water & Waste issues an Application for a Permit to Discharge Trade Waste into the sewerage system to control the amount and type of trade waste being discharged.

Application process

  1. Notify Council prior to starting or taking over a business.
  2. A Trade Waste Officer will then inspect the premises.
  3. An Application Form is required to be completed and any relevant fees paid.
  4. A Trade Waste Permit is then issued.

If you are unsure if your business discharges trade waste, please contact our Trade Waste Officers on (07) 4044 8204 or email tradewaste@cairns.qld.gov.au.

Sewage solutions

For any sewerage overflow or blockage problems your first port of call should be to Water & Waste's Customer Service to arrange a Water & Waste Officer to visit your property and determine who is responsible for the problem.

Some sewerage problems may be the responsibility of Water & Waste and may need to be fixed by Water & Waste. If it is not a Water & Waste responsibility, you will need to contact your private plumber.

Water & Waste Customer Service is contactable on (07) 4044 8200 (also available after hours).