Understanding Industrial Trade Waste: Impact of Non-Compliance – Part 2

• Kurt Hanley
• 2 weeks ago

If your business is discharging industrial waste to a local Sewer Treatment Plant (STP), you will have an agreement with your local water authority.

Trade waste is wastewater produced in any industrial processes or during the manufacturing of a product

In the case of Sydney Water, the agreement will include:

• Daily discharge limits for a number of substances
• How they charge for the trade waste water
• Acceptance standards detailing the concentration of certain substances
• The requirement to sample and analyse your own wastewater

If you don’t comply with the agreement, not only are fees charged, but non-compliance could lead to disconnection of trade wastewater service or even your water service. Not only that, it can impact the performance of the STP.

There are a number of potential outcomes that result with increased pollutant loads reporting to the STP. A sustained discharge can seriously damage the sewer network. For example, some of these pollutants and their impact are:

• Industrial wastewater can corrode pipes and equipment in both the sewerage collection system and the treatment plant

• Greases, fats and other suspended matter can cause sewer blockages resulting in flooding of upstream users and spills to the environment. An excess of these materials can accumulate within the treatment plant causing odours, reduced plant efficiency, increased maintenance, higher costs and detrimental discharges to the environment.

• Discharges can hydraulically overload sewers and treatment plants so that wastewater does not receive adequate treatment

• Highly volatile wastes, which may be flammable or toxic, can endanger operations and maintenance personnel and cause damage to the sewerage system.

• Some wastes (individually or combined), may release toxic gases posing a public health hazard and/or affecting the environment. Long term exposure to volatile and toxic compounds in wastewater poses health risks to personnel.

• Wastes containing toxic materials, heavy metals, pesticides or persistent organic compounds can contaminate sludges thereby limiting reuse and disposal options and/or making options more expensive.

• Substances may pass through the treatment plant, untreated or partially treated, polluting the receiving waters and posing a threat to aquatic life, or rendering a watercourse unsuitable as a supply of drinking water or as a recreational resource. These substances should not compromise the environmental values of the receiving waters. The environmental values are described in Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters.

Water pipe in a sewage treatment plant can be impacted by industrial trade waste

These are just a few of the problems associated with untreated discharge of trade waste. They all result in an increase in the cost of treatment at the STP as well increased maintenance costs of the sewage network. It is also not uncommon for local blockages to cause flooding back up into your premises!

What can you do? If you want to reduce your impact on the local STP, reduce your trade waste fees, or establish a processing facility where the local STP does not have capacity or adequate water supply, then it is time to turn to the experts like Hydroflux…

Hydroflux Utilities work closely with clients using a proven consultative approach which initially investigates means of improvement with zero capital expenditure. Quite often vast improvements in water quality and sludge handling systems can be made by using a more appropriate chemical program. Hydroflux Utilities have been able to save many clients thousands of dollars without even investing a cent!

Assuming the chemical program is optimised already, then a review of the plant components will frequently result in better plant operation and savings. Improved mixing, pH adjustments, better chemical handling or even just a service are all common methods the Hydroflux team are experienced in reviewing, designing and implementing.

A more extreme scenario may involve more substantial upgrades whereby assistance from Hydroflux Industrial, (a sister company that’s designs, builds and upgrades all types of industrial wastewater treatment plants) may be necessary.

Industrial Trade Waste Versus Equivalent Population – Part 1 – Click here.

Common Nomenclature – Part 3 – Click here.

About the Hydroflux Group

The Hydroflux Group comprises eleven companies based in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the UK, providing design and build, equipment, processes and operational services in water and wastewater treatment. Hydroflux Utilities provides many forms of water or wastewater plant support programs including, regular service and preventative maintenance contracts, chemical and spares supply and operation contracts for both industrial and municipal customers.

Hydroflux Utilities is a member of the Hydroflux Group.

Contact

Hydroflux Utilities Pty Ltd

Level 26, 44 Market St. Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

P +61 2 9089 8833 F +61 2 9089 8830

info@hydrofluxutilities.com.au