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Trade Waste Code 2025

The Trade Waste Code sets the criteria for businesses to gain approval to discharge trade waste into Power and Water’s sewerage systems, as required under Section 82(2) of the Water Supply and Sewerage Services Act 2000 (opens in a new tab).

This Code is a key part of our Trade Waste Management System and was last updated in . We are now reviewing it to ensure it reflects current practices, customer needs, and environmental standards.

Review

We have published the Draft Trade Waste Code 2025 for consultation with trade waste customers, local plumbers, hydraulic consultants, and other stakeholders.

We invite you to:

  • review the Draft Trade Waste Code 2025
  • share your comments via our feedback survey
  • ask questions you would like us to consider.

Consultation closes on Friday, 30 January 2026.

Review the Draft Trade Waste Code 2025

Download PDF File (542.7 KB)

Summary of changes and anticipated customer impact

Summary of proposed Draft Trade Waste Code 2025 changes, with impacts for trade waste customer categories and supporting consultation resources.

Read about our proposed Draft Trade Waste Code 2025 changes

Proposed code changes

The Code introduces a new customer category, explains customer obligations for discharging trade waste, and sets acceptance guidelines for the types of trade waste allowed in Power and Water’s sewerage system. For more detail on trade waste categories, see our Business types and class values page, which includes a full list of all Trade Waste business types and classes.

Proposed key changes

What these proposed changes mean

These proposed changes will apply to all trade waste customers and have impacts for the following customers:

Category A customers
Some low-volume, low-risk customers who do not require pre-treatment may be reclassified as a Deemed customer.
Deemed customers
Eligible customers (e.g., low volume and low risk) may be classified under this new category, reducing the amount of administration by us in relation to your Trade Waste Approval.
Non-compliant customers (A and B)
Customers who fail to abide by the terms of their Trade Waste Approval may be temporarily reclassified to Category C until compliance can be re-established (with applicable fees and charges).

Note: Customer category is determined based on volume, risk rank and compliance.

Our consultation plan

Engaging with our customers and stakeholders is a key part of our consultation process. In 2022 we sought early feedback on the proposed changes. This input helped us prepare more detailed explanations in the Draft Code.

Current engagement

As part of this continuing consultation we will:

  • publish materials and gather feedback online at our Trade Waste Code consultation page
  • communicate to trade waste customers and stakeholders via email and our Trade Waste Code consultation page
  • contact a minimum of 100 trade waste customers directly to discuss the proposed changes, anticipated impacts, and answer any questions raised.

Next steps

Feedback received will be reviewed and considered before finalising the updated Code. The updated Code will then be submitted to the Utilities Commission for approval.

Pending approval, the final Trade Waste Code 2025 will be published on the Power and Water website by 1 July 2026, and trade waste customers and stakeholders will be notified via email.

Consultation timeline

Consultation timeline

    • Consultation ends.
  1. February – April 2026

    • Customer feedback collated and reviewed.
    • Code updated to reflect outcomes from stakeholder engagement.
    • Feedback report and updated draft Trade Waste Code submitted to the Utilities Commission for approval.
    • Proposed Code to be introduced with consideration of the feedback received from stakeholder engagement.

How to provide feedback

Please review the Draft Trade Waste Code 2025 and consider the proposed changes.

Feedback is open until Friday, 30 January 2026.

Complete the Draft Trade Waste Code 2025 feedback survey (opens in a new tab)

Other ways to provide feedback

Contact our Trade Waste Team

We collect your feedback to help improve the Trade Waste Code and our stakeholder engagement. Personal information will be handled in line with our privacy policy.

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