Grease Trap Regulations in Melbourne

Melbourne businesses that produce fats, oils, and grease (FOG) must comply with strict grease trap regulations enforced by EPA Victoria and local water authorities. Non-compliance can result in significant fines, trade waste permit revocation, and environmental harm. This guide covers everything you need to know to stay compliant.

EPA Victoria Requirements

EPA Victoria regulates trade waste discharge to protect Melbourne's waterways and sewer infrastructure. Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and associated regulations, businesses that generate FOG are required to install and maintain an approved grease trap or grease interceptor. Key EPA requirements include:

• Installation of an appropriately sized grease trap for your business operations
• Regular cleaning and maintenance by a licensed waste transporter
• Proper disposal of grease trap waste at EPA-approved facilities
• Maintenance of cleaning records and waste transport certificates
• Compliance with discharge limits set by your water authority

The 25% Rule Explained

This is one of the most critical regulations for Melbourne businesses. The 25% rule means that if your grease trap has a capacity of 1,000 litres, it must be cleaned before the combined fats, oils, grease, and sediment layer reaches 250 litres. Exceeding this threshold means your trap is no longer effectively separating FOG from wastewater, which can lead to:

• FOG bypassing the trap and entering the sewer system
• Blockages in your plumbing and the public sewer network
• Odour issues affecting your premises and neighbours
• Regulatory action from your water authority

Trade Waste Agreement Requirements

Any Melbourne business that discharges trade waste to the sewer system must hold a valid trade waste agreement with their local water authority. This agreement sets out the conditions under which your business can discharge trade waste, including:

• Acceptable discharge quality and limits
• Required pre-treatment equipment (grease traps)
• Monitoring and reporting obligations
• Cleaning frequency requirements
• Fees and charges for trade waste discharge

Water Authority Obligations

Melbourne is serviced by three water authorities, each responsible for managing trade waste in their respective areas. Your obligations may differ slightly depending on which authority services your premises:

All three authorities require businesses to maintain grease traps in good working order, comply with the 25% rule, and keep accurate records of all cleaning and maintenance activities.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with grease trap regulations in Melbourne carries serious consequences:

Beyond fines, non-compliance can result in revocation of your trade waste agreement, forced closure until compliance is achieved, and liability for clean-up costs if FOG causes sewer blockages or environmental damage.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Melbourne businesses must maintain thorough records of all grease trap maintenance. Required documentation includes:

• Cleaning certificates: Issued by your grease trap cleaning provider after each service, detailing the date, volume removed, and condition of the trap.
• Waste transport manifests: Documentation tracking the transport and disposal of grease trap waste from your premises to an EPA-approved receiving facility.
• Maintenance logs: Records of any repairs, inspections, or modifications made to your grease trap system.

These records must be kept for a minimum period as specified by your water authority and made available for inspection upon request. Our cleaning service provides comprehensive documentation with every visit to help you stay compliant.