Auckland Council’s Governing Body has adopted changes to the Trade Waste Bylaw and introduced new Trade Waste Controls.
The changes came into force from 25 July 2019.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says: “The bylaw deals with discharges of waste material from trade sites into our public sewage system. We have to protect our environment by building best practices and minimum standards into trade waste bylaws and taking action against those who disregard the rules causing harm to our harbours and waterways.”
Councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Hearings Panel that made recommendations to the Governing Body, said the bylaw aims to provide effective controls to protect Aucklanders, the environment and wastewater pipes from the harmful effects of trade waste discharges into the public wastewater system.
“This bylaw is about taking practical steps to reduce these sorts of harmful effects. It allows the council to make rules that require occupiers of trade premises who discharge trade waste to meet minimum discharge standards.
“We have made changes to make the bylaw clearer and more effective and to improve Aucklander's understanding of how we regulate trade waste", said Councillor Hills.
The council has also introduced the Trade Waste Control 2019 that includes current trade waste limits, which can be easily updated to reflect changes in wastewater treatment and statutory obligations.
A wide variety of 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.
What are the key changes?
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Clearer rules to determine when trade waste activities are low risk and when they require a trade waste agreement.
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Introduction of the Trade Waste Control 2019 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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Providing clearer information about pre-treatment requirements for low risk discharges.
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Defining the matters taken into account when considering applications for a trade waste agreement
For more information about the Trade Waste Bylaw see the Governing Body agenda here (Item 12).
