Business Update

Every fatberg starts with FOG

All retail food businesses – and other businesses – work with fats, oils and grease (FOG) day in, day out.

Once FOG enters our pipes, it makes itself at home in the wastewater system. When it accumulates, it creates fatbergs that can cause blockages and may lead to overflows impacting the community and environment.

Here's what we know about FOG

• Uncontrolled FOG discharge contributes to dangerous blockages and overflows in the wastewater system.
• Businesses without the appropriate pre-treatment may face expensive plumbing issues, costly downtime and reputational damage that's hard to live down.
• Overflows caused by fatbergs and blockages lead to significant environmental impact when wastewater enters waterways.

Many of the debris balls that forced Sydney beach closures in 2025 were linked to long‑term FOG build‑up.

That's why all businesses producing trade waste (not just restaurants) have to apply for permits and install pre‑treatment equipment.

Restaurants, takeaway food outlets, function centres, school kitchens, hospital and nursing home kitchens, caterers, butchers, delicatessens, retail bakeries and childcare centres: you can help us keep fatbergs out of wastewater pipes.

Let's work together and get FOG out of the system

If you don't know whether you're a trade waste customer, or you don't have your trade waste permit yet, or your business has changed, apply now. We'll assess your operational, environmental and safety risks.

We'll work with you so you can understand what you need to do, secure the correct approvals and have effective pre‑treatment in place.

Quarterly water quality report summary

Our water quality monitoring program confirmed that Greater Sydney's drinking water remains high quality and safe from January to March 2026, meeting the high standards set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

You can find the detailed quarterly water quality report for your area at Water analysis under 'Water quality report'.

1 July price adjustment

IPART has approved new charges for the 2026–27 financial year. A typical residential bill will go up by 6.7% plus inflation on 1 July. Business customer bills can vary significantly depending on the site's water usage, services available and specific activities occurring at the property. Find out more about our prices.

Violence at home is not okay

Our Customer Care team can provide private, confidential support. See our family violence assistance policy and how we can help.

We value your feedback

If you have a problem with our services, we'll do our best to resolve it. Call 13 20 92 8am–5:30pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays), or fill in our complaint form, where you'll also find our complaint policy.

If you're unhappy with the outcome, ask for a manager to review the decision. If you're still dissatisfied, you can escalate your complaint to an independent dispute resolution body like the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) or the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).