What is Trade Effluent?
Most companies who use water generate waste water, much of which discharges into the public waste water system. This is then passed to a waste water treatment works to be treated to an appropriate standard before being returned to the environment. Under the Water Industry Act 1991 any waste water produced as a course of a trade or business, carried out on trade premises, is defined as “trade effluent”. This definition does not include domestic sewage i.e. wastewater produced as a result of making cups of tea, using the toilet and washing your hands. “Trade effluent” includes water used in production, washing or cooling facilities, and covers both large and small premises, including businesses such as car washes and launderettes. Farms and research facilities are considered trade premises also. Discharges not covered by “trade effluent” include those from hotels, caravan sites or restaurants. In order to discharge trade effluent, from a trade premises in the North West, to the public se
