Trade effluent charges
Discharge of contaminated wastewater other than normal sewerage, known as trade effluent, into the sewer requires consent and is chargeable.
If your business discharges contaminated wastewater, known as trade effluent, into the public sewer system, you must get consent from Northern Ireland Water (NI Water). Trade effluent is any liquid waste produced by industrial or commercial processes that is different from normal domestic sewage, which is charged separately.
What is trade effluent?
Trade effluent includes wastewater contaminated with substances such as:
- fats, oils, and greases
- chemicals
- detergents
- heavy metals
- solids
- food waste
How are trade effluent charges calculated?
NI Water charges businesses on both the volume and strength of the trade effluent before it enters the sewer system. This ensures fair pricing that reflects the cost of treating different types of wastewater. For more information, see .
Before discharging any trade effluent into public sewers, your business must obtain formal consent from NI Water. Discharging without consent is not allowed and may result in penalties. For more information, see discharging trade effluent.