Apply to discharge industrial effluent
If not properly managed, industrial effluent has the potential to damage the municipal sewer system, disrupt wastewater treatment processes and harm the natural environment. Businesses that produce industrial effluent need to apply for permission to discharge it.
Discharging industrial effluent into the municipal sewerage system
Industrial effluent refers to any liquid waste that is produced by a manufacturing, mining, agricultural, or chemical process. Industrial effluent is usually discharged into the municipal sewer system from the business premises concerned. However, in special cases, industrial effluent needs to be transported to a designated Council facility and disposed directly into the wastewater treatment works.
You can find more information about the applicable process in the
Wastewater and Industrial Effluent By-law.
Step 1: Download and complete the Industrial Effluent Assessment Form and the Permission to Discharge Industrial Effluent Into Sewers Application Form from the document downloads section below.
Submit the following supporting documentation along with your application:
- A certified copy of your original ID
- A copy of your complete chemical stock record and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
- Proof of the most recent inspection of storage tanks
- Proof of the most recent inspection of pipelines
- The layout plan of all drainage pipes (sewer, stormwater, any other) and sewerage connections
- Certificates of disposal
- The completed Industrial Effluent Assessment Form
Please note that a non-refundable administration fee will be charged once the application has been finalised. For further information and guidance, please refer to the
Wastewater and Industrial Effluent By-law.
Step 2: Hand in your completed application form, assessment form and all supporting documentation to your nearest
Walk-in Centre or email
waterpollution.control@capetown.gov.za. You will be contacted by the City regarding the outcome of your application.
Discharging industrial effluent at designated Council facilities
In special cases, industrial effluent cannot be discharged into a municipal sewer and must be transported to a designated municipal wastewater treatment works for disposal.
This is usually required when the industrial effluent volumes or load are too much for the system to handle and may compromise the proper functioning of the sewer or the treatment works.
In other cases, it is required due to the nature of the business, for example mobile businesses such as portable toilet suppliers.
Please note
In Cape Town, industrial effluent that is delivered by road is only accepted at the Borcherds Quarry Wastewater Treatment Works located near Cape Town International Airport.
Step 1: Ensure that you are registered as a waste generator and/or transporter. For more information, contact the
Waste Services Department.
Step 2: Download and fill in the Application to Dispose of Wastewater Form in the document download section below, and consult the Wastewater and Industrial Effluent By-law for further guidance.
Submit the following supporting documentation along with your application:
- a certified copy of your original ID; and
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) of chemicals to be disposed of.
Step 3: Submit the form and all supporting documentation to your nearest
Walk-in Centre or email
waterpollution.control@capetown.gov.za.
You will be contacted by the City regarding the outcome of your application. If successful, you will need to make arrangements with Council for the delivery and receipt of the effluent.
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