If your business discharges any liquid waste other than domestic sewage into the public sewer system, you’re likely dealing with trade effluent – and you may need formal consent to stay compliant with UK regulations.
In this article, we’ll break down what it is, who needs consent, and how Trade Effluent Services can help you manage your responsibilities with confidence.
What It Is and Why It Matters
Trade effluent refers to any liquid waste discharged from a commercial or industrial process into the public sewer network, excluding domestic sewage (like toilets and sinks).
Typical sources include:
- Wash water from production lines
- Runoff from vehicle yards
- Cooling or process water
- Grease, oils, or residues from food factories
- Suspended solids, detergents, or chemicals
Even if it looks like “just water,” it may still count as trade effluent if it contains any contaminants.
Does My Business Need Consent?
If your business sends process wastewater down the drain, the answer is probably yes.
A trade effluent consent is a legal requirement in the UK for anyone discharging this type of waste to a public sewer. The consent will specify:
- What substances you can discharge
- Limits on flow, temperature, pH, and chemical content
- Whether monitoring or sampling is required
Operating without a consent is illegal – and businesses can face enforcement action or fines.
Where Consent Comes From (and Who Enforces It)
In the UK, consent is issued by your local water company, not the Environment Agency. However, the EA may still get involved if a pollution incident occurs.
Some of the main water authorities issuing consents include:
- United Utilities
- Severn Trent Water
- Thames Water
- Anglian Water
- Yorkshire Water
Each company sets its own limits and processes, which can make the application or renewal process confusing. That’s where we come in.
Your Wastewater Partner in Compliance
At Trade Effluent Services, we support businesses in applying for, managing, and staying compliant with their consent conditions.
Our team helps with:
- Applications and renewals
- Flow monitoring and composite sampling
- Site audits and discharge assessments
- Mobile storage or treatment systems
- Wastewater removal and disposal
- Emergency support or catchment response
We work with manufacturers, food processors, vehicle depots, and contractors across the UK.
Questions We Often Hear from Clients
➡ What’s the difference between trade effluent and surface water?
Surface water is typically clean rainwater runoff. If it’s contaminated (e.g. with oils or residues), it may become trade effluent.
➡ How long does consent take to obtain?
Applications can take 6–12 weeks depending on the water company. It’s best to start early if you’re planning new works or a process change.
➡ What if I already discharge without consent?
It’s vital to act quickly. We can assess your discharge, contact the relevant water authority, and help bring you into compliance.
Let’s Make It Easy to Stay Compliant
Understanding and managing trade effluent doesn’t have to be difficult – and you don’t need to navigate it alone.
📞 Speak to our team today to arrange a free consultation or site visit.
We’ll help you stay compliant, reduce risk, and keep your operations flowing smoothly.
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