 Project Appreciation and ObjectivesTrade effluent control is based on a “risk-based approach” and relies on a good knowledge of the trade from which the wastewater arises; a knowledge of the site facilities; and experience of the history of site operations, management and competence. Much of this knowledge and experience resides with the trade effluent officers themselves, supported by monitoring records, guidance documents and procedural controls. Maintaining such an experience base is a continuing challenge for the water companies. This project is assisting companies in trade effluent control by providing improved central information which is easily accessible, thereby allowing improved efficiency for practitioners. It is also assessing the implications of the REACH regulations and identifying any associated opportunities to improve trade effluent control procedures. Benefits to Clients - Rapid access to better information on trade wastes and on chemical substances, which will improve efficiency and provide flexibility to deal with regulatory changes.
- Identify emerging issues relating to trade effluent consenting and possible ways of dealing with them.
Work Programme - Review the current sources of information used by practitioners and identify how these could be improved. Specifically this would consider the scope of existing information resources (such as the UKWIR/WRc Toxicity Datasheets and other sources). Examine the information gathered through the implementation of REACH and how this could be exploited to improve trade effluent control procedures.
- Review of the impact of catchment-based consent setting on trade effluent control policy and practice and links between trade effluent control and the Environment Agency’s Pollutant Reduction Programmes (PRPs). This work would be undertaken in conjunction with the Agency to provide a mutual understanding of requirements.
- Evaluate the need for an improved centralised information database particularly tailored to the requirements of trade effluent activities.
- Consider the need for improved sampling, testing and characterisation methods required to deal with assessment of the impact of trade effluents on new and emerging wastewater treatment processes such as biological nutrient removal.
Project Output - Workshop for Trade Effluent Practitioners on information sources.
- Report covering a review of data sources, emerging substance consenting issues, waste testing and characterisation requirements to support consenting.
- Updating and extending Toxicity Datasheets for specific substances identified by project participants.
Related Work - WRc/UKWIR Toxicity Advisory Service - which provides a 24/7 wastewater and trade effluent enquiry service. 1988 – present.
- Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wide range of industrial chemicals and mixed trade wastes, various clients, 1990-present.
- Review of wastewater treatment requirements, site operations and cooling water circuit management for an alumina refinery to determine future wastewater treatment requirements to meet environmental objectives, Suralco, 2008.
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