What is a Trade Effluent Consent?

Non-Household customers who wish to discharge non-domestic waste into the sewerage network require a licence to do so. It is a breach of the Water Industry Act to discharge trade effluent without one. These licences, or consents to discharge, can be in the form of either a short-term consent or a long-term consent. Both are legal documents issued by the Wholesaler. An application fee will be payable for each application made, and this charge will be raised by the Retailer upon submission of the application to the relevant Wholesaler.

Short-term consents are typically issued where there is no plan to discharge for longer than 6 months; a construction site is a common example of where a short-term consent may be issued. Long-term consents are issued where the period of discharge exceeds 6 months. In both instances, the consent will outline discharge parameters and limits for things like:

• Volume – It’s important for the Wholesaler to know how much effluent will be coming into the sewerage treatment works.
• pH – Extremely alkaline or acidic discharges can cause damage to sewerage infrastructure or be harmful to the wider public. Typically, effluent is allowed to go to drain if it has a pH between 6-11.
• Temperature – Extreme temperatures can lead to unsafe working conditions. 43.3 degrees Celsius is Thames Water’s standard temperature limit.
• Ammonia – Ammonia can be highly toxic, and can be harmful for aquatic life.
• Oil and grease – The cooling of oils and greases in the sewers can lead to blockages and subsequent flooding. It can also cause problems with machinery in treatment plant works.
• Suspended solids – Large solids going through the sewer can lead to blockages and can damage equipment.
• Chemical Oxygen Demand – A measurement that acts as a key indicator of water quality.

 

Any breaches of these parameters can constitute a criminal offence under the Water Industry Act, and can result in legal action.

Site visits, sampling and monitoring

As part of the consent process, a site visit is usually arranged by the Wholesaler and analysis and sampling of the discharge is carried out. The Wholesaler will sample the strength of the effluent at the designated discharge point, gauging the chemical composition, pH, temperature, suspended solids, and chemical oxygen demand of the wastewater. At this point the Wholesaler will also decide on the best billing methodology to accurately charge the correct volume and rate of the TE.

Regular TE discharge point sampling by Wholesaler is common to ensure compliance with the TE consent; the Wholesaler has a legal right of access to carry out this sampling. These samples are also used to help the Sewerage Retailer calculate the TE billing. Any charges for sampling are detailed in the Retailer and Wholesaler Scheme of Charge documents, located on their websites.

If you believe that your business may require a Trade Effluent consent, please complete the application form and send it to us. 

Applying for a Trade Effluent consent

To begin the Process, please select the relevant region below:

• For premises in Scotland
• For premises in England

Application guidance note

• For premises in Scotland
• For premises in England

Alternatively email Castle Water’s Trade Effluent Team at TEConsents@castlewater.co.uk, if you have any further queries. 

Moving premises and terminating a Trade Effluent consent

If you are a Trade Effluent customer and you are moving property, you are required to terminate your Trade Effluent consent at least 28 days before you leave the premises.

If a Trade Effluent consent remains active after you have vacated the premises, your account cannot be fully closed, and you may remain liable for further charges until the consent has been terminated.

To terminate your consent, please complete the Trade Effluent application form available on our website:

Application for trade effluent consent

When completing the form:

• Select Option F – Termination of consent in Section 2.
• Complete Sections 2.2, 10 and 12.
• Ensure the form is signed in Section 12.

Once completed, please return the form to
TEConsents@castlewater.co.uk along with any supporting documents.

When submitting your request, we will normally advise the Wholesaler that they may contact you during standard business hours by email or telephone if they need to confirm details or arrange access. If you have a preferred contact method or time (for example morning or afternoon), please include this when submitting your application.