Bundle Waste
Check proposed business discharges with the water retailer serving the premises before sending them to sewer. Requirements depend on the process, discharge and retailer's conditions. A waste collection contract is not a substitute for permission to discharge trade waste.
What is trade waste?
South East Water describes trade waste as liquid waste, other than domestic sewage, generated by specified business and commercial activities, and provides a consent process. Use that guidance for its service area; confirm the equivalent requirements with the retailer responsible for your own address. South East Water: Trade waste
Prepare information before applying
- The premises address, operator and relevant property contacts.
- A description of processes that generate wastewater.
- Likely discharge quantity, timing and characteristics, using measured information where available.
- Details of proposed or existing pretreatment equipment and drainage arrangements.
- Relevant chemicals and safety information.
- Existing consent documents, inspection records and maintenance history, if available.
Ask the retailer which application, inspection, sampling and supporting documents are needed. Do not rely on a generic three-category table or another business's approval.
Food premises and grease interceptors
South East Water publishes information for food businesses and food and oil interceptors through its trade-waste service. Confirm the design, installation and maintenance conditions for the particular premises with the retailer and appropriately qualified advisers. This guide does not specify a universal pump-out interval. South East Water: Trade waste
| Question | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|
| What discharge is permitted? | The current written consent and its conditions |
| What maintenance is required? | The applicable schedule and service records |
| What monitoring applies? | Sampling instructions, results and correspondence |
| What changes need review? | Retailer advice about process, tenancy or ownership changes |
Budget from the actual approval
Request the applicable application, ongoing and monitoring charges directly from the retailer. Obtain separate equipment and maintenance quotations. Check who pays and who keeps the records under the lease and service agreements; do not assume an existing consent transfers automatically to a new operator.
If the business changes production, chemicals or operating volume, contact the retailer before assuming the old conditions still cover the discharge. Keep records for the period specified by the applicable requirements and agreement. See restaurant waste planning for the separate solid-waste streams.
Sources
- South East Water — Trade waste. Checked 18 September 2026; About trade waste; Apply; Food and Oil Interceptor; Charges.
