Written Approval for the Discharge of Trade Effluent Into the Public Sewer

Apply for Written Approval for the Discharge of Trade Effluent Into the Public Sewer

Public Utilities Board (PUB)

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Application Details

For discharge of trade effluent (any liquid, including particles of matter and other substances in suspension in the liquid, which is the outflow from any trade, business or manufacture or of any works of engineering or building construction) into the public sewer.

FAQ

1. Do I need to apply for this licence?
   You need a Written Approval from the Public Utilities Board before you can discharge trade effluent into the public sewer.
   As defined under the Sewerage and Drainage (Trade Effluent) Regulations, trade effluent refers to any liquid, including particles of matter and other substances in suspension in the liquid, which is the outflow from any trade, business or manufacture or of any works of engineering or building construction.
   More info can be found in the summary of the discharge requirements for trade effluent
2. What conditions do I need to fulfill?
   Your company/business/organisation must be registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) or has a Unique Entity Number (UEN). You also need a SINGPASS to access the online application form.
3. What supporting documents do I need to submit?
   You should also submit other supporting documents like:
   (a) Manufacturing process flow diagrams (including where and how trade effluent is generated)
   (b) Analytical report of the trade effluent quality
   (c) Technical details of the wastewater treatment plant
   (d) Licensed waste collection invoices
   to support your application.
4. How soon can my application be processed?
   Your application can be processed within 14 working days upon your submission of all the information and documents required by PUB.
   We will inform you of the status of your application through email. You may also log on to GoBusiness Licensing to check the status of your application under Check Application Status.
5. How much does this licence cost and how long is it valid?
   You do not have to pay for this licence. You also do not have to pay any trade effluent fees if the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in the trade effluent discharge are within the limits specified in the Sewerage and Drainage (Trade Effluent) Regulations.
   However, monthly trade effluent fees will be imposed if the trade effluent quality exceeds the specified limits. These monthly fees will be computed in accordance with the scale set out in the Fourth Schedule of the Sewerage and Drainage (Trade Effluent) Regulations. (Note that this is applicable only to food-related industries. All other industries shall comply with the specified limits)
   The Written Approval is valid for 5 years. However, changes to the licence will be made when you inform us of any changes to your business as listed in Questions 8a to 8d.
6. Who can I contact for further details?
   You may call:
   Mr Ahmad Al Rifaee / Mr Muhd Ammarsyakir Seno at Tel: 6517 2222
   You can also write to: pub_wa@pub.gov.sg
7. What is the application process like?
   We will assess the information you have submitted. If your application is in order, we will issue a Provisional Approval (PA) for discharge of trade effluent into the public sewer. Sampling will then be conducted to ascertain the trade effluent quality. We will issue a Written Approval if the sample results meet the sewer discharge requirements.
8. What should I do if my company/ factory ceases its operation?
   Please inform PUB in writing (to the emails stated in Q6 above). Your Written Approval will be revoked and any deposit paid (applicable to those paying monthly trade effluent fees) will be refunded after the deduction of any outstanding bills.
9. What should I do if my company/ factory has shifted to the new location or has changed its status (like change from Partnership/ sole-proprietor ship to limited private company)?
   Please inform PUB in writing (to the emails stated in Q6 above) together with an updated business registration certificate from the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). You will need to apply for a new Written Approval for the new premises.
10. What should I do if my company/ factory has changed its name?
    Please inform PUB in writing (to the email stated in Q6 above) together with an updated business registration certificate from ACRA. We will inform you of the change of your company's name in the Written Approval. A new Written Approval is not necessary.
11. Any other matters I should take note or notify PUB?
    Please notify PUB of any changes to the company/factory activities or increase in the volume of trade effluent discharge.
    Please note that the Written Approval may be revoked or suspended if you fail to comply with any provision of the Sewerage and Drainage (Trade Effluent) Regulations or any conditions imposed on the Written Approval.

Documents Needed

• Attach Supporting Documents
  e.g. Laboratory test report, Manufacturing Process Flow diagram (indicating where and how trade effluent is generated), Wastewater Treatment Process Flow Diagram, Licensed Waste Collection documents, MSDS, etc
  File format: xls,tif,ppt,doc,pdf,jpg
  Maximum upload per application: 2 MB

Requirements

Applicant must be ACRA registered company/business