Operator Self-monitoring Can Lower Costs - Hach Lange LTD

Wastewater represents a cost to business. In the following article, HACH LANGE’s Emma Brown explains how correct monitoring procedures can help reduce these costs and even boost profit.

The Environment Agency of England and Wales (EA) and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) are responsible for environmental protection and

improvement. Much of the environmental legislation that these organisations enforce is derived from European Directives such as the Urban Waste Water

Treatment Directive and the Water Framework Directive.

Process operators are regulated through permits, authorisations and consents which specify compliance requirements to protect the environment and monitoring is required to ensure compliance with consents.

When is a trade effluent consent required?

•Waste from toilet flushing, hand wash basins, showers and canteens does not require a consent

•Minimal discharges (a few litres per day) may not need a formal consent as long as they are non-hazardous

•Discharges above 1m3 per day require full consent

•Short-term discharges (e.g. one week) need to gain prior authorisation from the water company