Auckland Council is asking for the public’s views on proposed changes to its Trade Waste Bylaw 2013.
As part of the five-yearly bylaw review process, we’ve checked to see how well the current rules are working, and what improvements could be made.
Public consultation has opened on 10 April until 10 June.
Why do we need this bylaw?
Trade premises across Auckland discharge trade waste into the public wastewater system every day. Examples of trade waste include wastewater from food, chemical, pharmaceutical, metal, bitumen, concrete, paint and detergent manufacturing.
“If we don’t put effective controls in place, these discharges can have a harmful effect on wastewater pipes, the environment and public health. We’ve all seen or heard of the massive fatbergs that block our sewers. This bylaw is about taking practical steps to reduce these sorts of harmful effects", says Chair of the Regulatory Committee, Linda Cooper
“Through this bylaw, Auckland Council makes rules that require occupiers of trade premises who discharge trade waste to meet minimum discharge standards.”
“After a recent review, we’re now suggesting some changes to make the bylaw more effective and improve understanding of how we regulate trade waste.”
What changes are proposed and why?
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Proposed amendment |
Reason for proposed change |
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Providing clearer rules to determine when trade waste activities are low risk and when they require a trade waste agreement.
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Ensures all trade waste activities are clearly covered and avoids over-regulation of low-risk trade waste dischargers. |
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Introducing the Trade Waste Control 2019 (Control) that includes current limits to flow rates and volumes for low-risk discharges, and current limits to characteristics and substances in trade waste discharges.
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The Control provides the current trade waste limits, which can be updated easily to respond to changes in the wastewater treatment environment and statutory obligations. |
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Provide more information about pre-treatment and other requirements for low risk trade waste discharges.
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Improves understanding of pre-treatment of low risk trade waste discharges resulting in better protection of the wastewater system, environment and public health. |
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Clearly defining matters that are considered when confirming a trade waste agreement.
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Helps trade waste dischargers and the public better understand the factors considered when assessing an application for a trade waste agreement. |
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Remove reference to transitional consents that are no longer held |
Trade waste dischargers no longer hold transitional consents and retaining these provisions could lead to confusion. |
Please note that fees and charges for trade waste discharges are outside the scope of the Auckland Council Trade Waste Bylaw 2013 review.
Submissions open on 10 April and close on 10 June 2019.
Have your say now
You can provide feedback in a few ways:
- Fill in the online survey here
- by email to tradewastebylaw@water.co.nz
- by letter
- attending the drop-in session on Friday 31 May 2019, 9.30-10.30am at Auckland Central Library, 44 Lorne Street
More information can be found on the have your say page.
