Check our public register
You can search our trade effluent public register for all active consents.
Trade effluent is any liquid waste (effluent) produced by a business or industrial activity that is discharged into the public foul sewer.
If your business carries out activities such as manufacture or processing of materials such as chemicals, metal finishing, food and drink manufacture, or even if you operate a car wash or laundrette, and you discharge wastewater into our public foul sewer, then it is likely that the discharge is considered trade effluent.
To discharge trade effluent from a business premises in the North West, you must have permission from United Utilities. This permission is known as a trade effluent consent to discharge and it is a legal requirement under the water industry act of 1991 for trade effluent discharges to be agreed in advance.
Trade effluent control applies to all types of business, from independent traders to large multi-national companies. Even small discharges of only a few litres a day may still require consent.
If your business operates a trade effluent process and needs to discharge to the public foul sewer, please contact your water retailer. They will provide the appropriate application form and submit it to United Utilities on your behalf.
Spillage or emergency on site
In the event of a spillage of chemicals, product or trade waste at your premises, you’ll need to take action quickly in order to prevent any discharge to the sewerage network.
Access our information leaflet
Find out more information about trade effluent, including examples of activities that may require consent and details of the application process.
Waste management services
There are two routes for processing your waste, depending on whether it is domestic or industrial.
Frequently asked questions
You can visit the link below to read our FAQs for more information about our trade effluent services.
Discharge trade effluent
In order to discharge trade effluent from a trade premises to the public sewer you will require permission from United Utilities.
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