The Hidden Dangers Of Liquid Waste

Although liquid waste is a term that covers a broad variety of materials, there’s a good reason why leaving its disposal to the professionals is recommended.

Liquid waste is non-solid material that has no further use and must be treated and disposed of according to local, state and federal regulations. While almost every brand or business will produce some form of liquid waste, the tricky part is that as the term covers a wide variety of materials, each will require a different approach. 

Although examples of liquid waste can include wastewater, fats, oils or grease, used oil, liquids, solids, gases or sludges and hazardous household liquids, there are some that are considered to be more hazardous than others when it comes to the environment and the health of animals and humans alike. 

It’s for this reason that each state and territory have strict regulations linked to liquid waste management. As such, the combination of legal requirements and the dangers of liquid waste means that it’s always advised to enlist the help of the professionals as opposed to dealing with it yourself. 

The Importance Of Liquid Waste Management 

Liquid waste can be stored in holding tanks or packaged in drums, intermediate bulk containers or approved small containers before either being treated or removed via outsourced vacuum trucks. 

Given the nature of the materials, liquid waste cannot go in the general waste stream and there are strict regulations on how to dispose of it correctly. Depending on the nature of the waste and the risk it poses, it may be harmful if released into the environment untreated, with four potential dangers including the following. 

Water Pollution – Waterways polluted by liquid waste can either see instant damage to its chemical composition or a slow build up over time. While examples can range anywhere between sewerage, PFAs and even oil spills, any liquid waste has the potential to contaminate drinking water, negatively impact food sources like fish and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. 

Soil Contamination – Any liquid waste that seeps into the earth can result in pollution, which then has the potential to contaminate the food produced by the plants grown in the same soil, and in turn negatively affect any human or animal that consumes those plants. Exposure can take generations to fix or remedy, so the solution is to mitigate the risks as much as possible.

Atmospheric Pollution – While most people generally don’t associate air pollution with exposure to liquid waste, the reality is that dust, fine particles and gas linked to these hazardous materials will always have the potential to be inhaled by animals and people. Most often linked to sewerage systems, it can be a major problem in built up residential or industrial areas. 

Economic Impact – Improper liquid waste disposal has the potential to leave a business wide open to big fines and prosecution. On a broader scale, entire communities can also be impacted by poor handling practices and both individuals and businesses can spend thousands on clean up costs if not properly managed with a proactive approach. 

To further amplify the potential dangers of liquid waste, many uncontrolled disposal sites that were used in the past have since been abandoned. Depending on a determination of the level of risk, it may be necessary to remediate those sites.

In addition, hazardous liquid chemical wastes are regulated waste and must be tracked in accordance with the state waste legislation. Under the chain of custody and responsibilities, owners are responsible – and liable – for waste generated by a business. 

Ultimately, disposing of liquid waste is not a task that should generally be conducted by people who aren’t qualified to do so. The risks can make the process extremely dangerous to humans, animals and the general environment, so enlisting the help of professionals is always recommended – but where do you find them?

Meet The Experts On Liquid Waste Disposal 

Established in 1999, the Austrans Group is proudly Australian owned and operated, and is now recognised as an industry leader in hazardous waste management, industrial services, project management all over South East Queensland. 

From public infrastructure to assisting in massive environmental rehabilitation and providing complete disaster recovery support, Austrans have done it all, and have the expertise to get the job done. 

Our ability to meet or exceed expectations has created a reputation of reliability and integrity, and has elevated Austrans to its current position as a major service provider with clients all over Australia. To discuss how we can work together, get in touch with us today.