Trade Effluent is any liquid waste discharged into the sewers from a business or industrial process. Trade Effluent is regulated to ensure the sewerage network can adequately handle and treat the waste. This is to protect the health and safety of staff and to protect the environment. The types of businesses that normally require a consent include: car washes, launderettes and dry cleaners, transport depots, breweries, dairies and commercial swimming pools. Trade effluent customers can be large or small businesses. Trade effluent does not include waste that is classed as regular sewerage – waste water from kitchens, bathrooms and toilets; therefore, most hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and hairdressers. To regulate Trade Effluent, businesses are provided with a licence, or discharge consent. Samples of the trade effluent discharge are taken regularly to ensure customers are complying with the terms of their consent.  It is a criminal offence to discharge trade effluent waste without a consent. If you believe that your business may require a Trade Effluent consent, please complete the application form and send it to us.  To begin the Process, please select the relevant region below For premises in Scotland For premises in England Application guidance note For premises in Scotland For premises in England or alternatively email Castle Water’s Trade Effluent Team at TEConsents@castlewater.co.uk, if you have any further queries. You can also visit our trade effluent FAQ section.