Grease traps

After you receive your trade waste agreement, check with your local council on the proposed location for the grease trap.

If you have a small space or concerns about the size or placement of your grease trap, email trade.waste@gww.com.au or call 13 44 99.

You'll need to organise installation quotes from licensed plumbers. Your chosen installation professional should have appropriate plumbing approvals from us before they start work.

In some cases, grease traps need to be cleaned out remotely by a fixed suction line, rather than by a vacuum hose onsite. Cleaning a grease trap using a remote suction line ensures vacuum hoses are not in food preparation areas, shops, shopping centres or public thoroughfares. 

Remote suction line cleaning is a requirement of some council health departments.

Fixed suction lines must be installed in compliance with standard Victorian plumbing regulations, and they should be:

• a minimum of: 65mm diameter for grease interceptor capacities below 600 litres or 100mm diameter for grease interceptor capacities over 600 litres
• made from materials capable of withstanding high pressure pumping forces
• appropriately fixed and supported to withstand the weight of vacuum hoses, waste and vibration and maintenance operations.

The suction line should end before the grease trap. Both ends of the fixed suction line need shut off isolation valves and ‘Camlock’ fittings (see diagram).

The external connection point must be easily accessible for connection to the licensed waste transporter's vehicle.

Ideally, install the remote suction line with two 45-degree bends, as these help to prevent sewer blockages. Avoid installing a remote suction line with 90 degree bends. 

The suction line must finish nearby the grease trap (see diagram below). Most waste transport contractors will carry a short length of hose specifically for connecting to the fixed suction line. The installer (a licensed plumber) may also provide a custom-made length of vacuum hose for your specific installation.

Make sure you also allow enough room for the suction hose to flex and manoeuvre during pump out maintenance operations.

For more information, call 9313 8366, or email trade.waste@gww.com.au.

It is your responsibility to organise for an EPA-licensed liquid waste collector to pump out the grease trap at the frequency specified in your trade waste agreement. Typically, grease traps need to be pumped out every three months.

If you fail to pump out your grease trap at the required frequency, you may be subject to our non-compliance process. This could see you incur costs due to the time required for Greater Western Water to ensure that the pump out of your grease trap has occurred. 

EPA licensed liquid waste collectors can be found under 'waste reduction and disposal services' in your local business directory.

The following waste collectors operate in our service area.

Note: Greater Western Water is not affiliated/does not endorse these waste collectors.