15. Licensing of Large Point Source Discharges
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The document provides a comprehensive overview of the Environmental Licensing Programme (ELP) in Ireland, detailing its statutory basis, licensing processes, and regulatory frameworks for various discharge types. It outlines the roles of the ELP, necessary permits, and key directives that guide the licensing of activities related to point source discharges, including wastewater and other pollutants. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of public participation and the assessment process in ensuring compliance with water quality standards and environmental protection objectives.
15. Licensing of Large Point Source Discharges
- 1. Measures – Licensing of point source discharges Yvonne English, Environmental Licensing Programme Catchment Science and Management Course June 2015
- 2. Overview A quick guide to ELP Statutory basis of our work Licensing process (WWDL) in the context of WFD and ICM ELP involvement in ICM
- 3. What is the ELP? What does it do? Environmental Licencing Programme Authorisation of specified activities: Licensing IE and IPC installations and large waste facilities; VOC Permits; Registration of GMOs users in Ireland; Dumping at sea permits; Registration of Local Authority recycling activities; Urban Waste Water Discharge Authorisations.
- 4. Director OCLRR Dara Lynott Director General Director OEE Director OCCS Director OEA Programme Manager Frank Clinton Programme Manager Jonathan DerhamResearch Climate Licensing (ELP) Resource Use Director ORP Where the ELP fits within the EPA
- 5. ELP staff resources We have ∼ 20 Inspectors involved in general licensing work. Of these, ∼ 15 Inspectors involved directly in licence application assessment work. We have ∼ 11 FTEs working on Administration support to licensing function.
- 6. Environmental Licensing Programme IED Directive 2010/75/EU - IED – Recast of the IPPC Directive and six other directives. The EPA (Industrial Emissions) (Licensing) Regulations, 2013 European Union (Industrial Emissions) Regulations 2013
- 7. Environmental Licensing Programme IPC Directive 2008/1/EC is now recast as part of the IED Directive Environmental Protection Agency (Integrated Pollution Control) (Licensing) Regulations 2013
- 8. Environmental Licensing Programme Waste Waste licensing governed mainly by: Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) Waste Management Act and Waste Licensing Regulations
- 9. Environmental Licensing Programme Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) permits Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Control of volatile organic compound emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 374 of 1997) Dumping at Sea Dumping at Sea Acts1996, as amended GMO Licensing and Enforcement Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations, 2001 as amended Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. No. 500 of 2003)
- 10. Environmental Licensing Programme Wastewater Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007, as amended Directive 2006/11/EC - Dangerous Substances Directive Directive 2000/60/EC - Water Framework Directive Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations 2001, as amended Directive 2000/60/EC - Water Framework Directive Council Directive 91/71/EEC – Urban Waste Water Directive
- 11. The receiving environment WFD European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009, as amended. established legally binding quality objectives for all surface waters and environmental quality standards for pollutants required public authorities to utilise the ‘combined approach’ when issuing permits with discharges to water.
- 12. Combined approach Emission limits are set on the basis of: the effluent limits under the relevant discharge regulations, and the limits required to meet the EQS for the receiving waters; the most stringent standards apply The licensing process
- 13. The Regulation of urban waste water discharges Licences are required for discharges from agglomerations of over 500 population equivalent (p.e.) For under 500 p.e. the discharge is regulated by a Certificate of Authorisation The licensing process
- 15. …and other Third Parties Stages in the licensing process Application must be lodged by a specified date Specified bodies informed and may participate in the process Third parties may participate by written submissions EPA considers the application and submissions Licence decision is issued
- 16. Assessment - Background data
- 17. Mass balance for discharge to rivers
- 18. Assimilative Capacity • Useful aid in assessing the ability of a water body to accommodate a particular loading • Crucially to protect waste quality the inspector must ensure that discharge limits are based on the 95%ile concentration quality standards and the 95%ile flow
- 19. Licence ELVs Mass balance calcs translate into discharge limits which aim to achieve good status in the receiving water
- 20. Licence contents Conditions Scope, Interpretation Discharges Control & Monitoring Notifications and Reports Programme of Improvements Schedules Emission Limits (ELVS) for certain pollutants Monitoring (discharge and surface water) Improvement Programme n
- 21. Range of emission limits for wastewater discharges Parameter Emission Limit Value (mg/l) BOD 4 - 25 COD 125 Suspended Solids 20-35 Total Ammonia (N) 0.26 - 5 Total Phosphorus (P) 0.27 - 2 Orthophosphate (P) 0.13 - 8 Limits may apply from grant of licence or by specified dates
- 22. Example of Improvements Specified Improvement Completion Date New waste water treatment plant (Phase 1) 31st Dec 2011 Upgrade and rehabilitation of sewer network 31st Dec 2012 Re-location of primary discharge 31st Dec 2014 Extension of marine outfall 31st Dec 2014
- 23. Improvements for Storm Water Overflows Discharges may be required to discontinue by specified dates Specified Improvement Completion Date Upgrading of Storm Water Overflows to comply with the criteria outlined in the DoEHLG “Procedures and Criteria in relation to Storm Water Overflows, 1995” 31st Dec 2012
- 24. Further measures under WFD Waterbodies on the WFD’s Register of Protected Areas • Shellfish Areas • Salmonid Waters • Drinking Waters • Bathing Waters • Nutrient Sensitive Areas Appropriate Assessment SACs Council Directive 92/43/EC (Habitats Directive) SPAs Directive 2009/147/EC (Birds Directive)
- 25. Inspectors Report Inspector’s Report – record of the assessment process, accompanying the recommended license for the Board. • Application and agglomeration details • Discharges to water • Receiving waters and impacts • Ambient Monitoring • Combined approach • Programme of Improvements • Compliance with EU Directives • Appropriate Assessment • Cross Office Liaison • Submissions • Charges • Recommendation
- 26. Objectives of Water Framework Directive Protect High or Good status water bodies All water bodies to be restored to at least Good status by 22 December 2015* Achieve objectives for protected areas Prevent and reduce pollution by priority substances * unless exemptions
- 27. ELP involvement in ICM • Internal Cross Office Teams • External TWGs • Application Assessment – cumulative effects – public participation • Licence conditions & ELVs
- 28. Environmental Licensing Programme Intensive Agriculture (Pig & Poultry) EPA Act Class 6.1 (poultry) and 6.2 (pigs) -All licensable activities are IED European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 31 of 2014) Animal By Products Regulations (Regulation 1069 of 2009) and Implementing Regulations 142 of 2011 Combustion of Poultry Manure as fuel on farm, see Commission Regulation 592 of 2014
- 29. Thank you