Domestic sewage is wastewater derived from the use of water, of acceptable quality, for purposes carried out in the typical home but which may also occur in other places for example, in the workplace, schools or restaurants. These water uses include:
- disposal of human bodily wastes
- showering and bathing
- personal hygiene and grooming
- meal and beverage preparation and post consumption wash-up (non-commercial basis)
- laundering of linen, clothes, etc (non-commercial basis)
- household cleaning
- residential pool filter backwash.
If domestic sewage is stored or pumped it will not be regarded as domestic sewage due to the possible negative impacts from these processes.
All non-domestic wastewater (also known as "Trade waste") must, by law, be approved by ActewAGL before discharge.