Sewage quality management is critical to achieving Greater Western Water's (GWW’s) 2030 strategic outcomes to deliver value for customers, support communities to thrive, and heal and care for country. The purpose of this Policy is to set out the approach and commitment of GWW to manage sewage quality to enable safe and reliable sewage transport, treatment and product reuse services.
Objectives
The objective of this policy is to support GWW's purpose of delivering trusted water services for our communities and future generations. GWW will manage sewage quality to meet the following five key risk-based objectives:
Safety of people (both sewer workers and the community);
Protection of assets;
Protection of treatment plant processes;
Facilitation of regulatory and licence compliance, including protection of receiving environments; and
Facilitate development and management of a circular economy.
Scope
This policy applies to all GWW employees, suppliers and contractors responsible for activities related to the sewage quality management system (SQMS).
Commitment
To achieve our strategic objectives, GWW is committed to:
Deliver on commitments to the Statement of Obligations and Melbourne Sewerage Strategy in the provision of wastewater services;
Meet our obligations under the Bulk Sewage Transfer, Treatment and Disposal Agreement with Melbourne Water Corporation, including compliance with ISQMS principles and certification against ISO22000;
Support activities relating to GWW HESQ policy objectives, including preventing harm to receiving environments;
Participate in the ISQMS sewage quality management and steering groups with the other Melbourne water retailers and Melbourne Water;
Influence the setting of industry sewage quality regulations and guidelines
Meet our obligations to customers outlined in our Trade Waste Customer Charter and the ESC Water Industry Standard – Trade Waste Customer Service;
Implement and maintain a Sewage Quality Management System across our service area, in line with the objectives of this policy;
Manage risks using the principles of HACCP, waste hierarchy, hierarchy of control, and GED;
Maintain capability, resourcing and training to ensure operational competency;
Monitor, evaluate and report sewage quality management system performance to ensure it is suitable, effective and adequately resourced; and
Continually improve the sewage quality management system in line with this policy, regulatory obligations and stakeholder expectations.
Implementation
GWW implements this policy through the adoption of systems, procedures, guidelines, standards, and processes detailed within GWW's SQMS manual.
Roles and responsibilities
The GWW Board is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Policy.
The Executive Leadership Team is responsible for incorporating GWW’s sewage quality responsibilities into business planning and operational activities, as well as annual evaluation of the sewage quality management system to determine if it is suitable, effective and adequately resourced.
The General Managers responsible for wastewater and recycled water treatment plant operations and trade waste, are responsible for directing, reviewing and reporting upon the implementation of the Sewage Quality Policy at GWW.
Managers and Team Leaders whose activities impact on SQMS activities, are responsible for understanding, implementing, maintaining and continuously improving the all component of GWW SQMS.
All employees are responsible for complying with relevant GWW policies, guidelines and processes and having an understanding of how this policy impacts their work.
References and related documents
Greater Western Water Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Policy
Greater Western Water Risk Management Policy
Greater Western Water Alternative Water Policy pol 62 – out of date
Greater Western Water HSEQ Integrated Management System Manual
Greater Western Water Trade Waste Customer Charter
Statement of Obligations
Bulk Sewage Transfer, Treatment and Disposal Agreement
ISQMS Reference Manual
Melbourne Sewerage Strategy 2018
ESC Water Industry Standard - Trade Waste Customer Service
ISO22000 (food safety management system)
Water Act 1989
Water (Trade Waste) Regulations 2014
Environment Protection Act 2017
Review Process
The Policy will be reviewed annually or more frequently as required.
Approved by the Board on 25 June 2025. Next due for review by the Board in June 2026.
