Trade Waste Bylaw 2025

Trade waste is the commercial and industrial liquid waste generated from trade activities that is disposed of through the public wastewater network.

The primary purpose of the Trade Waste Bylaw 2025 is to manage trade waste discharges to ensure appropriate disposal. Trade waste discharges can contain contaminants or characteristics (e.g. greases, solids, chemicals, flow rate etc.) that need to be carefully controlled in order to protect the wastewater network, the stormwater network, public health and the environment.

The Bylaw requires consent is obtained for any discharges of trade waste into the wastewater network. The Trade Waste Bylaw sets the framework for the trade waste consent system, including requirements, monitoring and the ability to charge associated fees.

The general use of the wastewater network, including the discharge of general wastewater, is covered by the Water Supply and Wastewater Bylaw 2022.

The Council made the Trade Waste Bylaw in 2000 under the Local Government Act 1974, which replaced the previous trade waste bylaws made by the Christchurch District Drainage Board (dating back to 1968).

The Bylaw has been regularly reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002.

Previous versions of this bylaw are dated 2000, 2006 and 2015, and are available from the Council on request.

The key changes made to the bylaw through the recent review are:

• A reduced limit (100g/m3) for silts and sediments resulting from construction activities.
• Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), in excess of the levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Ministry for the Environment, are prohibited characteristics of trade waste discharge, unless subject to a conditional consent in accordance with clause 13(4).
• A requirement for trade waste consent for discharge from dewatering, in the limited circumstances where the discharge cannot be accepted to the stormwater network and is instead considered for discharge to the wastewater network.
• The introduction of a maximum term of duration for permitted consents (up to 10 years).
• Changes to consent decision-making processes to make sure the bylaw is being used to regulate the right things, that the Council is considering all relevant matters on each application, and to provide more certainty regarding reasons for refusal of consent.
• Amendments to improve the regulation of tankered waste discharges to help ensure our discharge facility is appropriately protected, that treatment processes are not disrupted, and to ensure that workers are kept safe.

A marked-up copy of the bylaw, showing all changes adopted by the Council through the recent review is available on request.

The bylaw comes into force on 1 July 2025.  

All new trade waste consents applied for from the date the bylaw comes into force will need to comply with the provisions of the 2025 bylaw. 

Relevant changes also apply to existing consents. In some cases, there is a period of transition for compliance. Transitional provisions are contained in clause 37 of the bylaw. In summary: 

• Applications lodged, but not yet granted at 1 July 2025 will be deemed to be an application under the Trade Waste Bylaw 2025. 
• Every existing consent (prior to 1 July 2025) continues as if it were made under the Trade Waste Bylaw 2025, until consent expiry; and the bylaw is implied into any such consent continued. 
• Some changes to the bylaw do not have immediate effect for existing consents. These are: 
  • Consent holders with current trade waste consent for discharges containing silts and sediments resulting from construction activities have until 1 July 2026 to comply with the new limit of 100g/m3 (unless already required by their existing consent) 
  • Staff will review all existing permitted consents to add a term (expiry date) to the consent, and will stagger these reviews over the next 10 years. Trade waste staff will be in contact with consent holders when this occurs. 

If you require more information on how these changes may affect you, please email our trade waste team.