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REMONDIS AQUA CLEARWASTE
REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste (formerly ClearWaste) specialises in trade wastewater management and pollution control systems including Oil Water Separator supply, installation and servicing.
REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste provides regular maintenance and oily water pump out to over 400 sites across Queensland and New South Wales. Our 20-point maintenance checklist will ensure your separator is kept in peak condition to protect the environment, meet all regulatory standards and operate effectively to minimise any unexpected disruptions to your business.
Specialised services:
Trade liquid waste and wastewater, solved
Let's get to work. Contact us today to get a quote for your Oil Water Separator service, trade wastewater collection and disposal, or hazardous and packaged waste management. It’s fast and easy.
REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste (formerly ClearWaste) is your trusted partner for pollution control systems including oil water separator services and trade wastewater management and disposal. Dive deeper into our expertise and operations, with these FAQs.
REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste's Adam Walsh summarises oil water separator discharge regulations in Australia, and the penalties incurred for non-compliance.
Trade industries generate many types of liquid wastes as a by-product of their manufacturing processes and operations, some of which are classified as prohibited substances. This includes trade wastewater. If released into the sewerage system without treatment, this trade wastewater can damage the environment and contaminate our drinking water.
This is why an oil water separator is so important. It pre-treats the wastewater you discharge and ensures you’re limiting the amount of hazardous chemicals and materials being released into the sewerage system.
The governing legislation
The Unauthorised Discharge Regulations 2004 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (the Act) lays out the oily water regulations and governs the discharge of trade wastewater. It makes it illegal to discharge hazardous substances, such as hydrocarbons, into groundwater or the stormwater system.
The governing body
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is the main regulator that governs the prevention, control, and monitoring of pollution levels in Australia. They’re the body that creates environmental policies and guidelines, and ensures compliance with environmental regulations.
How to remain compliant with oil water discharge regulations
Your local water authority will issue you with a permit that guides the safe levels and costs for discharging your wastewater. This will change depending on your local authority. In some cases, they may require you to install an approved oil water separator prior to applying for a permit, and provide evidence of a servicing schedule. If you don’t comply with the regulations set out in your permit, you can be issued a warning fine—or have your site shut down until you comply with the conditions. The cost of this fine will depend on your local council’s regulations.
Maintaining compliance
Regular inspection and maintenance of your oil water separator will keep it working at optimal efficiency. You’ll be able to make sure there’s no suspended debris or trapped oils, and ensure you remain compliant with your permit’s regulations.
To maintain compliance with the EPA and your local water authority, you must create a thorough maintenance and inspection plan for your oil water separator. This should clearly state the unit guidelines and maintenance practices, any safety & health procedures, and arrangements for wastewater disposal. In order to ensure compliance, you can prepare these in consultation with the people undertaking maintenance of your oil water separator.
REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste will ensure your business’ oil water separator remains compliant with the EPA and your local water authority.
A quick guide to what oily wastewater actually is, and why its safe removal is critical for your business, from REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste's Adam Walsh.
Oily wastewater is an inevitable byproduct of many industries. And with local councils providing strict regulations about how this should work, it’s important that you know what it is you’re dealing with.
What is oily wastewater?
Oily wastewater is exactly what it sounds like: it’s wastewater that contains any oils, grease, or fats. Prominent in the oil and food & beverage industry, for obvious reasons, oil water waste is also a big byproduct in the energy sector, and mechanical industry. When left untreated oily wastewater can leach into our drinking water, cause pollution in our rivers and oceans, and damage our local fauna.
How oily water waste removal works
For businesses who produce oily wastewater it’s critical that it’s removed from their facilities safely and hygienically. There are a few different stages involved in thorough oily water removal, which relate to the size of your business.
How much does oil water waste removal cost?
We typically price your oil waterwaste removal based on the volume you need removing, the size of your facility, any specific wastewater hazards, and factor in an hourly rate.
Regular servicing of your oil water separator acts as preventative maintenance, ensuring that it continues to run as efficiently as possible — and your business stays compliant with your local regulations. REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste's Adam Walsh outlines what’s checked and fixed when you have your oil water separator serviced, and why you need regular servicing.
Why you need to service your oil water separator
Let’s look at what’s involved with your oil water separator service. Like any piece of equipment, your oil water separator needs regular servicing to ensure it’s working as efficiently as possible. With the complex nature of this machinery, problems can be hard to detect until it’s already too late. It might already be releasing oily water out into the environment — or it could be verging on the point of breakdown. Without a regular service by an experienced technician, you won’t know any of this until it’s too late. Regular servicing of your oil water separator helps your equipment to run more efficiently, ensuring it lasts longer, and costs you less in the long run.
What happens in your oil water separator service
REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste runs through a 20-point maintenance checklist when we service your oil water separator. Here’s what’s included:
REMONDIS Aqua Clearwaste's Adam Walsh explains the steps Queensland businesses need to take to correctly install an oil water separator, compliant with Queensland’s strict guidelines.
Wastewater classification is quite simple: it’s any leftover or run-off water that’s created as a result of your commercial or industrial activities. This water is contaminated with oils, chemicals, and cleaning products, so it can’t go directly into the sewer system. It has to be treated first, using your oil water separator.
Here’s how to find the right one for your business, and ensure it’s installed safely.
Choosing the right equipment
Your local water authority and council will have regulations around what type of oil water separator should be installed. Check in with them first to find the one that’s suitable for the kind of contaminants your business creates. The size you need will be determined by the volume of wastewater that your facility handles, and the time it takes for the separator to treat the water.
Getting your Trade Waste Permit
A Trade Waste Permit is an authorisation from your local council or water authority to discharge wastewater into the sewerage system. This permit usually attracts a fee, which goes towards the treatment and management of trade wastewater. It can’t be transferred, so you must obtain a new one prior to starting operations.
Installing your separator
Installing your oil water separator isn’t something you can do yourself — it must be installed by a licensed plumber. Once installed, your wastewater discharge must be checked by your local regulatory body.
Maintaining your oil water separator
Like any piece of equipment your oil water separator needs regular cleaning to keep it running in top condition. Regular cleaning prevents blockages, reduces odour problems, limits health hazards, and reduces the amount of oil, grease, and other hazardous materials leaching into the sewerage system. Your council needs a written maintenance program that records the cleaning frequency, pump maintenance schedule, and facility maintenance associated with operating your oil water separator. This proves that you’re meeting their requirements, and doing your part to help limit the impact on the environment.
REMONDIS Aqua ClearWaste has nearly three decades of experience providing oil water separator servicing to Queensland businesses. We can help you with everything from oil water separator service, to an entire wastewater system installation. Contact us today for a quote, and let’s get to work.