Program will reduce the risk of London-style ‘fatberg’

TasWater’s trade waste compliance program will help reduce the risk of a London-style ‘fatberg’ here in Tasmania.
It was reported earlier this week that a London sewer tunnel had been completely blocked by a 250metre-long mass consisting of congealed fat, wet wipes, nappies and condoms.
Blockages containing congealed fat and other non-biodegradable materials have also been causing problems – including service interruptions and sewer spills – in Tasmania.
TasWater CEO Michael Brewster said the trade waste compliance program would help reduce the risk of sewer blockages by removing fats, oil and grease from the sewage system.
“The most recent London ‘fatberg’ has come as a timely reminder that we need to be doing everything we can to help keep trade waste our of sewage system,” Mr Brewster said this week.
Similarly, residents need to remember that flushing the wrong thing down the sink or toilet can cause blockages and spills.
Mr Brewster said TasWater would continue talking with small businesses across the state about their obligations under the new trade waste compliance program.
Businesses that discharge trade waste to the sewage system need to have some form of pretreatment in place to reduce the fats, oils and grease entering the system and ultimately making their way to TasWater’s sewage treatment plants back into the environment.
Mr Brewster acknowledged that there was no ‘one size fits all’ solution. For some businesses, the cost of meeting compliance will be relatively minor – for example, $200-$300 for a basket arrestor (sink strainer) – while others will require a more expensive option such as a grease trap.
“Obviously every business is different and we are happy to talk with these businesses individually to identify the option that is best for them in terms of cost and functionality. We certainly don’t expect a gold-plated solution when it isn’t necessary,” Mr Brewster said.
While some businesses have expressed interest in the installation of grease reduction devices (or ‘grease guardians’ as they are also known) to achieve compliance these are only considered useful when used in conjunction with a grease arrestor and/or other performance measures.
“This is a conversation we are happy to have with individual businesses as they work towards compliance,” Mr Brewster said.
“We will remain as flexible as possible within the constraints of the relevant State Government legislation and will continue to give impacted businesses 18 months to reach compliance to ensure any associated costs can be spread over two financial years.”
The trade waste compliance program will bring Tasmania into line with other Australian states. Besides minimising the risk of spills to the environment, it is also designed to protect the health and safety of TasWater staff and members of the public and to increase the serviceable lifespan of TasWater’s infrastructure, including its sewage treatment plans.
As the compliance program rolls out across the state TasWater will also continue its discussions with other key stakeholders, including plumbers, to help them understand what is driving the trade waste compliance program and what it will deliver in terms of overall benefits.
“Obviously we have a regulatory requirement to act but the trade waste compliance program is also about delivering on our commitment to a clean, green Tasmania,” Mr Brewster said.
TasWater