How to Handle Wastewater During Food Production

It’s almost impossible to overstate the importance of effectively managing wastewater in all areas of industry, including during food production.

Not only does carelessly disposed of wastewater risk polluting the environment and poisoning wildlife, soil and watercourses, it also leaves you open to prosecution by the Environment Agency.

In this article, we’re going to examine the types of wastewater created during food production, what the laws are surrounding the subject, and what you can do to manage your waste legally and more effectively.

What is trade effluent?

Trade effluent is any wastewater created at a business that could in any way harm the environment. That doesn’t include what would normally be considered as ‘domestic’ sewage, such as rainwater or wastewater from toilets and handwashing facilities.

The Water Industry Act 1991 (of which more later) defines trade effluent as “any liquid, either with or without particles of matter in suspension in the liquid, which is wholly or partly produced in the course of any trade or industry carried on at a trade premises”.

That means that it not only includes water that is used directly in the manufacturing process, but also any water that is used to clean out equipment or for cooling purposes.

In general, for it to be classed as ‘trade effluent’, the wastewater requiring special disposal measures is likely to contain chemicals, detergents, food waste, fats, grease or metals.

What are the legal requirements for trade effluent in the UK

Much of the legislation covering commercial and industrial wastewater can be found in Section 118 of the aforementioned Water Industry Act 1991.

Basically, any business that needs to dispose of effluent should apply to their local ‘sewerage undertaker’ to be able to discharge it into the sewers. Your local sewerage undertaker will usually be your water company.

When making your application, you will need to provide information such as the nature of the effluent being discharged, the maximum amount to be disposed of on any one day and the highest rate at which it would be discharged.

If you discharge effluent without appropriate consent, you will be subject to large fines or other legal action. 

How to dispose of wastewater correctly

If you do not have consent to discharge into the sewers because your wastewater has been deemed liable to pollute the environment, you will need to engage the services of properly licensed liquid waste specialists such as the team at AA Turner Tankers.

It’s important to remember that if the company you choose to dispose of your effluent doesn’t do it in the right way, you will be as liable for prosecution as they will. So before going any further, make sure you ask to see relevant licenses and accreditations that show your chosen company has the authority to do the job in question.

You also need to keep records regarding what your chosen liquid waste management company has taken away. These will usually be collection slips issued by your waste management company and need to be retained for two years. They can be inspected by the Environment Agency or your local council at any time.

If you’re in need of help disposing of your trade effluent, AA Turner Tankers is your local liquid waste management and liquid food waste expert. We’re a family-run business that has been supporting commercial and industrial customers with their liquid waste management needs for over 70 years.

We’re committed to providing reliable and responsible liquid waste disposal services that help protect the environment and our precious waterways from the dangers of illegal waste discharge.

If you’d like to know more, or you’d like to discuss your liquid waste management needs with one of our expert advisers, please get in touch with us today.