Industrial Wastewater & Washwater Collection for Sydney Businesses
Licensed vacuum tanker collection of process wastewater, wash bay run-off, wheel wash and washdown water — tested, classified and transported to an approved treatment facility under NSW EPA licence, with full documentation for your trade waste and compliance records.
Licensed vacuum tanker collection of wastewater and washwater from Sydney sites
What Is Industrial Wastewater & Washwater Collection?
Industrial wastewater and washwater collection is the licensed vacuum tanker removal of liquid run-off generated by manufacturing processes, vehicle and equipment wash bays, wheel wash systems, and general site washdown. This water is different from clean stormwater — it typically carries oils, detergents, sediment, chemical residue or process contaminants, which means it can't be discharged to stormwater drains and usually requires a trade waste agreement or licensed collection rather than release to the sewer.
Clean Waste collects industrial wastewater and washwater of any volume across Sydney — from a single wash bay sump to full tanker loads from a manufacturing site — with sampling, classification and waste transport certificates provided for every job.
Never Discharge Wash or Process Water to Stormwater
Stormwater drains lead straight to waterways — discharging contaminated wash or process water into them is a common and serious compliance breach.
Route wash bay and process water away from stormwater drains
Wash bay, wheel wash and process wastewater should always be captured and drained to a sump, pit or bunded area — never allowed to run to a stormwater drain, gutter or open ground. If your site doesn't already have a trade waste agreement with Sydney Water for ongoing discharge, or you're generating water that can't legally go to sewer, licensed tanker collection is the compliant option until that's resolved.
Industrial Wastewater Collection That's Actually Compliant
A wastewater or washwater job only counts as compliant if it's sampled, classified and transported by a licensed operator.
From Site Assessment to Waste Transport Certificate
Here's what happens when you book an industrial wastewater or washwater collection.
Free Site Assessment
We inspect your sumps, pits or storage tanks and take a sample of the water to be collected.
Classification
The sample is tested and classified so we know the correct treatment pathway before the tanker arrives.
Vacuum Tanker Collection
Water is pumped out directly from your sump, pit or tank using a licensed vacuum tanker.
Licensed Transport
Wastewater is transported under waste transport licence to an approved treatment facility.
Certificate Issued
A waste transport certificate and consignment record are provided confirming compliant disposal, for your records.
Wastewater & Washwater Sources We Collect
Most commercial and industrial liquid waste from wash and process areas falls into one of these categories.
What Can & Can't Be Collected
Correct classification keeps your collection safe, efficient and compliant with NSW EPA and trade waste requirements.
✅ Accepted
- Wash bay, wheel wash and vehicle washdown water
- Process wastewater from manufacturing and production
- Concrete truck washout and site washdown water
- Oil and grease-affected water from workshops and kitchens
- Water from sumps, pits, bunded areas and interceptors
- Unclassified or suspect wastewater (sampled and classified by our team)
❌ Not Accepted
- Water known to contain radioactive or explosive contaminants
- Medical, clinical or biological waste
- Water mixed with solid general waste or construction debris
- Chemical waste requiring separate hazardous waste classification (booked as a separate stream)
- Sewage or blackwater (handled under a separate liquid waste service)
- Water discharged without prior sampling on suspect or high-risk sites
What Happens to Wastewater After Collection
Understanding where wastewater goes explains why sampling and classification matter so much.
- Sampling & classification: Water is tested before collection to confirm the correct treatment pathway
- Tankered transport: Water is pumped directly into a licensed vacuum tanker, avoiding manual handling
- Consignment authorisation: Movements are tracked via waste transport certificates from collection to destination
- Treatment: Water is treated at an approved facility, with oils, solids and contaminants separated out
- Record keeping: Certificates and consignment records are retained to support audits and trade waste reporting
What Drives Your Wastewater Collection Cost
Clear quotes based on volume and classification, no hidden fees.
Typical cost for a small tanker load from a single wash bay sump or pit.
Typical cost for a full tanker load from a manufacturing site or larger wash bay system.
Ongoing or scheduled collection programmes and highly contaminated water are quoted individually.
Pricing depends on volume, classification, access and travel distance to the treatment facility. Request a free, itemised quote and we'll confirm your exact cost after a no-obligation site assessment.
Industrial Wastewater Collection for Every Sector
Any business generating wash bay run-off or process wastewater benefits from a licensed, correctly classified collection service.
Industrial Wastewater Collection Across Greater Sydney
Consistent, licensed tanker collection wherever your site or depot is located.
Other Liquid & Hazardous Waste Services You May Need
Wastewater and washwater often come alongside other regulated streams — explore the related service that matches your site.
Guides on Wastewater & Liquid Waste Compliance
Background reading on how industrial wastewater and washwater fit into NSW's liquid and trade waste rules.
Visit the Clean Waste blog for more guides on NSW waste compliance.
Industrial Wastewater & Washwater FAQs
Straight answers to the questions Sydney businesses ask most before booking a wastewater or washwater collection.
What's the difference between wastewater and stormwater?
Stormwater is rainwater run-off that's meant to flow to drains untreated. Wastewater and washwater from wash bays, process areas and washdown carries oils, detergents, sediment or chemical residue, and generally needs to be captured and either sent to sewer under a trade waste agreement or collected separately.
Can wash bay water go down a stormwater drain?
No. Wash bay, wheel wash and process water should never be discharged to a stormwater drain, since stormwater flows directly to waterways without treatment. It needs to be captured and either managed under a trade waste agreement or collected by a licensed operator.
Do I need a trade waste agreement, or can I just book a collection?
If your site generates wastewater regularly, a trade waste agreement with Sydney Water for ongoing sewer discharge is often the long-term solution. Licensed tanker collection is the compliant option in the meantime, for one-off jobs, or for water that can't go to sewer at all.
Do you handle concrete washout water?
Yes, concrete truck washout and general construction site washdown water are collected and classified alongside our other wastewater streams.
Do you handle small quantities, like a single wash bay sump?
Yes, from a single wash bay sump or pit to full tanker loads from a manufacturing site. A free site assessment scopes the job at any volume.
How much does industrial wastewater collection cost in Sydney?
Typical costs range from $250–$500 for a small tanker load from a single sump or pit, and $500–$1,200 for a full tanker load from a larger site. Ongoing collection programmes are quoted individually. Contact us for a free, itemised quote.
Book Wastewater Collection Today
Free site assessment. Correct classification. Fully documented, every load.