Commercial Wastewater

The Samoa Water Authority’s Wastewater Division is responsible for managing, operating and maintaining the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Apia Pressure Sewer Network. There are 112 pressure sewer pump stations currently in service catering to 123 commercial customers in the Apia CBD, including the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital.

Wastewater from businesses and commercial premises (known as Trade Waste) can impose an additional load on the wastewater system, and therefore requires extra, and more costly, treatment to keep our communities, the environment and our network safe.

We manage trade waste as part of our essential wastewater treatment service to reduce environmental impacts and ensure the health and safety of customers and the community.

The Apia Pressure Sewer System transports wastewater from SWA’s commercial customers via 112 pressure sewer pump stations within the town area of Apia’s Central Business District.

Wastewater from your building will drain to a small pump station located at an agreed point on, or near, your property. This system uses a small grinder pump to pump wastewater under pressure through a street pipe network to the Sogi Wastewater Treatment Plant for processing. Once it reaches the Plant, the wastewater is purified using a three-stage treatment process before being discharged into the ocean. Active sludge is carted to Tafaigata Landfill for disposal.

Trade waste is wastewater produced by industry, small businesses, or commercial premises. Trade waste can be very different to regular household wastewater because it may contain substances that could affect the environment or the health of the community. It may even affect our ability to serve the community by damaging the Apia Pressure Sewer System.

The Pressure Sewer System tolerates normal domestic wastewater, similar to a typical septic tank you would find at a residential home, so wastewater from toilets, laundry and kitchens are all acceptable. It is important businesses know their wastewater and work with SWA to put in place appropriate pre-treatment processes to maintain effective sewer system function and protect the environment.

Trade wastewater generated by industry, small business or commercial premises can vary greatly from regular household wastewater because it may contain substances that could affect the environment or the health of the community. These include fats, oils and greases and/or toxic and harmful substances such as acids, petrol products, heavy metals, solids, organic solvents or chlorinated organics.

Uncontrolled or illegal discharge of trade waste may cause serious problems in the wastewater system such as overflows and overloading, blockages, corrosion, hazardous work environments and failure of the sewage purification process.

Here is an example list of things that must NOT be discharged into the system:

– Rainwater, roof water, storm water

– Sanitary napkins, tampons

– Tissues, paper towel, napkins and any other paper-based products besides toilet paper

– Glass

– Coffee grinds

– Metal

– Plastic objects

– Seafood shells, fish scales

– Flammable liquids

– Lubricating oils and greases

– Nappies, socks, rags, clothes

– Petrol, diesel or kerosene

– Strong chemicals

If wastewater from your building includes any of the above contaminants, either now or in the future, you must arrange for pre-treatment (such as grease traps) to remove these items before the wastewater enters the pressure sewage system.

If these types of materials are discovered in the pump well, the customer may be liable for the cost of any repairs required.

We all have a role to play in maintaining the Apia Pressure Sewer Network and keeping our community safe and healthy.

Customers are responsible for maintaining the plumbing inside their business, ensuring the quality of the wastewater entering the system meet requirements and installing any required pre-treatments. Further information can be found in the SWA Trade Waste Policy and Pressure Sewer Manual (link both). If you are unsure whether you need to pre-treat the wastewater from your building, please contact SWA to discuss.

Samoa Water Authority is responsible for managing and maintaining the wastewater system (including the wastewater mains and pumps) from the pump stations to the Sogi Wastewater Treatment facilities. SWA offers 24/7 monitoring and customer service and conducts regular checks and inspections on the syste

If you’re a patron to businesses in the Apia CBD don’t forget to do your part too and be mindful of what you flush down the toilet (remember only the three P’s – pee, poo and paper).

Contact our team

SWA is here to support our local business community. If you would like to apply for a permit, need assistance with pre-treatment, or have questions about your connection to the Pressure Sewer System please contact our team on {email/number}.

SWA Call Center – 21267

 

Why is it important to treat wastewater?

The treatment of wastewater is important to remove toxins and harmful organic pollutants before its release to the local environment. Treatment works to limit exposure to water-borne diseases and water pollution. Treated wastewater should comply with all national regulations and standards before its release. For SWA the treated Wastewater has to comply with the SPREP (1996) discharge guideline.

What is a pre-treatment

It’s the process and equipment required to treat wastewater before it’s discharged into the wastewater system.

Most commercial trade wastewater customers must install and maintain grease traps and other pre-treatment equipment. Your permit will explain your conditions and you must obtain SWA approval to use any pre-treatments.

These may include installing and maintaining specific equipment for your business activities. If you’re unsure whether you need to pre-treat the wastewater from your building, please contact SWA to discuss.

Adding solvents, enzymes, mutant or natural bacteria, odour controlling agents and pesticides to grease traps or pre-treatment systems in not permitted.

Some substances cannot be discharged at all, and some pre-treatment equipment must not be connected to our system.

Who manages the pressure sewer system?

The Wastewater Division under Samoa Water Authority manages the Pressure Sewer System. This system comprises of a wastewater storage tank, a submersible pump with sensor, control panel and a boundary kit.

 

Who is responsible for my building’s plumbing?

The customer is responsible for all building plumbing works. Customers must find a reputable plumber to install all inlet fixtures towards the Pressure Sewer System. The Wastewater Division is responsible for connections that start from the sewerage tank towards the main sewer line.

What can I use the sewerage system for?

The Apia Pressure Sewerage System tolerates normal domestic wastewater, similar to a typical septic tank system. Wastewater from toilets, laundries and kitchens are all acceptable. Some items can cause excessive wear to the pump, and in some rare cases can lead to blockages, so it’s important to be aware of what must not be discharged.

What substances cannot be discharged?

Here is an example list of things that must NOT be discharged into the system:

• Rainwater, roof water, storm water
• Sanitary napkins, tampons
• Glass
• Kitty litter, coffee grinds
• Metal
• Explosive substances
• Plastic objects
• Seafood shells, fish scales
• Flammable liquids
• Aquarium gravel
• Lubricating oil and greases
• Nappies, socks, rags, clothes
• Petrol, diesel or kerosene
• Strong chemicals

 

If wastewater from your building includes any of the above contaminants, either now or in the future, you must arrange for pre-treatment (such as grease traps) to remove these items before the wastewater enters the pressure sewage system.

If these types of materials are discovered in the pump well, the customer may be liable for the cost of any repairs required.