L
Luke Hannant
Well this is not quite an ISO 14001 question, although I do need to resolve the issue inorder to continue down the road to certification.
I understand that in this particular situation, I am governed by UK legislation, for which many of you might not be familiar, but in any case, feel free to advise, if even on the legislative requirements of your country.
---------------------------- The Situation ----------------------------
The company I am working on behalf of, currently runs a cleaning operation about once a month, resulting in 8000 litres of 2% caustic cleaning solution. Before discharging to effluent, this solution is neutralised with HCL to a pH of 7. This operation has been undertaken for the last five years, without any notification to the Environment Agency.
---------------------------- The Question ----------------------------
SO what's the problem? Well what I cant decide is whether this operation is a normal process operation, and discharge to effluent, subject to their consent to discharge specifications.
OR
Since the operation produces a special waste (the caustic solution; or is it technically a waste?????), does it require
A) A waste licencing permit to neutralise the special waste?
B) A special waste contractor to remove the waste?
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I know the correct solution to this problem is simply to approach the Environment Agency and ask. I am personally quite up for this, although my direct boss, would prefer going to the environment agency when certified, as he is worried about possiable tighting of effluent specifications on other parameters (i.e suspended solids, BOD, etc.), and afraid I may be opening a can of worms!!!
So, what do think???
I understand that in this particular situation, I am governed by UK legislation, for which many of you might not be familiar, but in any case, feel free to advise, if even on the legislative requirements of your country.
---------------------------- The Situation ----------------------------
The company I am working on behalf of, currently runs a cleaning operation about once a month, resulting in 8000 litres of 2% caustic cleaning solution. Before discharging to effluent, this solution is neutralised with HCL to a pH of 7. This operation has been undertaken for the last five years, without any notification to the Environment Agency.
---------------------------- The Question ----------------------------
SO what's the problem? Well what I cant decide is whether this operation is a normal process operation, and discharge to effluent, subject to their consent to discharge specifications.
OR
Since the operation produces a special waste (the caustic solution; or is it technically a waste?????), does it require
A) A waste licencing permit to neutralise the special waste?
B) A special waste contractor to remove the waste?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know the correct solution to this problem is simply to approach the Environment Agency and ask. I am personally quite up for this, although my direct boss, would prefer going to the environment agency when certified, as he is worried about possiable tighting of effluent specifications on other parameters (i.e suspended solids, BOD, etc.), and afraid I may be opening a can of worms!!!
So, what do think???
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