Food businesses (or institutions that prepare food) need a grease trap installed and maintained.
A well maintained grease trap will capture fats and food solids that are washed down the sink when preparing or cooking food and when cleaning. Capturing fats and food solids (greasy waste) in a grease trap prevents blockages from occurring in both your and our sewer pipes.
You must ensure a licensed plumber installs an appropriately sized and constructed grease trap and get an EPA-licensed liquid waste collector to pump out the grease trap at the frequency specified in your trade waste agreement.
Video
Get to know Grease Traps
MUSIC starts. Text on screen: Grease traps.
Commercial waste - also known as greasy waste - can cause blockages in the sewer systems if it is not managed properly.
This means sewage could come into your property or you may be responsible for sewage spilling elsewhere.
A grease trap is a device designed to prevent fats, oils grease and solids from entering the sewer system preventing, blockages and spills.
Grease traps generally work by allowing time for the fats oils and grease in the wastewater to flow to the surface of the grease trap and solids to settle at the bottom.
Image on screen of animation of grease trap.
The water that remains can now enter the sewer system. To ensure your grease trap continues to work as intended it needs to be sized correctly and pumped out at a suitable frequency.
Your trade waste consent will contain these requirements: the size of the grease trap will vary depending on the usage and size of your business.
You can use our grease trap size calculator to determine the grease trap size required for your business.
Image on screen of grease trap calculator.
You should always check the size with one of our trade waste team members before you proceed with installation. Council may also require the grease be installed in certain locations.
You will need to have a licensed plumber install the grease trap for your business.
Your plumber should ensure appropriate plumbing approvals are obtained from City West Water's Connections and technical services team.
The trade Waste consent outlines the frequency at which the consent holder must organize the pump out of the grease trap.
You'll need an EPA licensed waste Collector to pump out your grease trap. Our website lists a number of licensed waste collectors.
Typically grease traps must be pumped out every three months.
By installing and maintaining a grease trap you will not only be compliant with your trade waste consent,
you'll be helping protect the sewer system and the environment
End of transcript.
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Grease trap installation
- Confirm the size of the grease trap required for your business with our Trade Waste team.
- Make sure you check with you local council on the proposed location for the grease trap.
- Obtain installation quotes from licensed plumbers and have your preferred professional install the grease trap.
- If you have a small space or concerns about the size or placement of your grease trap please contact us before installing.
Standard grease trap drawings
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Grease trap drawing - food and oil interceptor (PDF - 2120.79KB)
Download this drawing to understand how above and below ground grease traps work to collect greasy waste.
What size grease trap do I need?
Our grease trap calculator can help you estimate the size of grease trap you will need for your business.
This calculator should be used as a guide only. After you have submitted your completed application to us we will confirm the required grease trap size with you.
Try our grease trap sizing calculator
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Grease trap calculator (PDF - 87.42KB)
Download our grease trap calculator to find out what size trap you need.
Emptying your grease trap
Your trade waste agreement will outline the specific maintenance and service requirements for your grease trap. Grease traps must be cleaned by an EPA-licensed liquid waste collector every 3 months.
As the business operator you are responsible for maintaining your grease trap. You are required to contact an EPA-licensed liquid waste collector to maintain, or pump out, your grease trap. We do not organize or provide this pump-out service.
We recommend that you establish a regular maintenance schedule with your preferred EPA-licensed liquid waste collector to ensure that you continue to meet the requirements of your trade waste agreement.
Find an EPA-licensed liquid waste collector
EPA licensed liquid waste collectors can be found under 'Waste Reduction and Disposal Services' in your local business directory.
The following are some of the waste collectors operating in our service area:
| Company name | Contact number |
|---|---|
| 30XY Group Pty Ltd | 1300 889 322 |
| Argus Recycling Pty Ltd | 1300 732 925 |
| Bartletts Environmental | 0400 100 575 |
| Burglar Liquid Waste | 0418 363 030 |
| Citywide Liquid Waste Management | 1300 366 787 |
| Cleanaway Environmental Services | 13 13 39 |
| Eastern Liquid Waste Services | 1300 723 988 |
| ECO Liquid Waste | 0418 516 327 |
| EVAC Environmental Pty Ltd | 1300 307 194 |
| Harmor Liquid Waste (2 Clean grease traps) | 9761 9488 |
| Ivers Liquid Waste | 5367 3016 |
| J.J. Richards | 9794 5722 |
| Sims Liquid Waste | 5422 2952 |
| Stows Waste Management | 9305 2155 |
| Suez | 5273 2000 |
| Veolia Environmental Services | 13 29 55 |
| Victoria Liquid Waste Pty Ltd | 9391 1386 |
| CCR Liquid Waste | 0404 027 251 |
Disclaimer: City West Water does not endorse, nor is affiliated, with any of the above waste collectors.
Advice and support
Our team is here to provide you with advice and support with any of your trade waste issues. Please contact us by phone on 9313 8366, complete our online contact form or email us at tradewaste@citywestwater.com.au.
Grease trap FAQs
- Do I need a grease trap?
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Your business is required to have a grease trap if it discharges greasy waste as a result of food preparation, cooking or cleaning.
If you are unsure of whether you need a grease trap, please contact us by phone on (03) 9313 8366, via our online contact form, or by email to tradewaste@citywestwater.com.au.
- Who needs to install my grease trap?
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A licensed plumber must install your grease trap in accordance with our connection requirements.
- Who is responsible for maintaining my grease trap?
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The occupier of the property is responsible for maintaining your business’s grease trap.
You are required to contact an EPA-licensed liquid waste collector to maintain, or pump out, your grease trap. We do not provide this service.
We recommend that you establish a regular maintenance schedule with your preferred waste collector to ensure that you continue to meet the requirements of your trade waste consent.
- How often do I need to have my grease trap pumped out?
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Your trade waste agreement will outline the specific maintenance and service requirements for your grease trap. Typically grease traps must be cleaned by EPA-licensed contractor every 3 months.