{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2018-1147/annex/division-1/division-1.5",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2018-1147/annex/division-1/division-1.5.json",
  "legislation": "eudn/2018/1147",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1147 of 10 August 2018 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions for waste treatment, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2018) 5070) (Text with EEA relevance)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2018-1147",
  "path": "annex/division/1/division/1.5",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": "1.5",
  "heading": "Emissions to water",
  "text": "BAT 19. In order to optimise water consumption, to reduce the volume of waste water generated and to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions to soil and water, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.\nTechnique\nDescription\nApplicability\na.\nWater management\nWater consumption is optimised by using measures which may include:\nwater-saving plans (e.g. establishment of water efficiency objectives, flow diagrams and water mass balances);\noptimising the use of washing water (e.g. dry cleaning instead of hosing down, using trigger control on all washing equipment);\nreducing the use of water for vacuum generation (e.g. use of liquid ring pumps with high boiling point liquids).\nGenerally applicable.\nb.\nWater recirculation\nWater streams are recirculated within the plant, if necessary after treatment. The degree of recirculation is limited by the water balance of the plant, the content of impurities (e.g. odorous compounds) and/or the characteristics of the water streams (e.g. nutrient content).\nGenerally applicable.\nc.\nImpermeable surface\nDepending on the risks posed by the waste in terms of soil and/or water contamination, the surface of the whole waste treatment area (e.g. waste reception, handling, storage, treatment and dispatch areas) is made impermeable to the liquids concerned.\nGenerally applicable.\nd.\nTechniques to reduce the likelihood and impact of overflows and failures from tanks and vessels\nDepending on the risks posed by the liquids contained in tanks and vessels in terms of soil and/or water contamination, this includes techniques such as:\noverflow detectors;\noverflow pipes that are directed to a contained drainage system (i.e. the relevant secondary containment or another vessel);\ntanks for liquids that are located in a suitable secondary containment; the volume is normally sized to accommodate the loss of containment of the largest tank within the secondary containment;\nisolation of tanks, vessels and secondary containment (e.g. closing of valves).\nGenerally applicable.\ne.\nRoofing of waste storage and treatment areas\nDepending on the risks posed by the waste in terms of soil and/or water contamination, waste is stored and treated in covered areas to prevent contact with rainwater and thus minimise the volume of contaminated run-off water.\nApplicability may be constrained when high volumes of waste are stored or treated (e.g. mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste).\nf.\nSegregation of water streams\nEach water stream (e.g. surface run-off water, process water) is collected and treated separately, based on the pollutant content and on the combination of treatment techniques. In particular, uncontaminated waste water streams are segregated from waste water streams that require treatment.\nGenerally applicable to new plants.\nGenerally applicable to existing plants within the constraints associated with the layout of the water collection system.\ng.\nAdequate drainage infrastructure\nThe waste treatment area is connected to drainage infrastructure.\nRainwater falling on the treatment and storage areas is collected in the drainage infrastructure along with washing water, occasional spillages, etc. and, depending on the pollutant content, recirculated or sent for further treatment.\nGenerally applicable to new plants.\nGenerally applicable to existing plants within the constraints associated with the layout of the water drainage system.\nh.\nDesign and maintenance provisions to allow detection and repair of leaks\nRegular monitoring for potential leakages is risk-based, and, when necessary, equipment is repaired.\nThe use of underground components is minimised. When underground components are used, and depending on the risks posed by the waste contained in those components in terms of soil and/or water contamination, secondary containment of underground components is put in place.\nThe use of above-ground components is generally applicable to new plants. It may be limited however by the risk of freezing.\nThe installation of secondary containment may be limited in the case of existing plants.\ni.\nAppropriate buffer storage capacity\nAppropriate buffer storage capacity is provided for waste water generated during other than normal operating conditions using a risk-based approach (e.g. taking into account the nature of the pollutants, the effects of downstream waste water treatment, and the receiving environment).\nThe discharge of waste water from this buffer storage is only possible after appropriate measures are taken (e.g. monitor, treat, reuse).\nGenerally applicable to new plants.\nFor existing plants, applicability may be limited by space availability and by the layout of the water collection system.\nBAT 20. In order to reduce emissions to water, BAT is to treat waste water using an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.\nThe descriptions of the techniques are given in Section 6.3.\nTechnique\nTypical pollutants targeted\nApplicability\nPreliminary and primary treatment, e.g.\na.\nEqualisation\nAll pollutants\nGenerally applicable.\nb.\nNeutralisation\nAcids, alkalis\nc.\nPhysical separation, e.g. screens, sieves, grit separators, grease separators, oil-water separation or primary settlement tanks\nGross solids, suspended solids, oil/grease\nPhysico-chemical treatment, e.g.\nd.\nAdsorption\nAdsorbable dissolved non-biodegradable or inhibitory pollutants, e.g. hydrocarbons, mercury, AOX\nGenerally applicable.\ne.\nDistillation/rectification\nDissolved non-biodegradable or inhibitory pollutants that can be distilled, e.g. some solvents\nf.\nPrecipitation\nPrecipitable dissolved non-biodegradable or inhibitory pollutants, e.g. metals, phosphorus\ng.\nChemical oxidation\nOxidisable dissolved non-biodegradable or inhibitory pollutants, e.g. nitrite, cyanide\nh.\nChemical reduction\nReducible dissolved non-biodegradable or inhibitory pollutants, e.g. hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))\ni.\nEvaporation\nSoluble contaminants\nj.\nIon exchange\nIonic dissolved non-biodegradable or inhibitory pollutants, e.g. metals\nk.\nStripping\nPurgeable pollutants, e.g. hydrogen sulphide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), some adsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX), hydrocarbons\nBiological treatment, e.g.\nl.\nActivated sludge process\nBiodegradable organic compounds\nGenerally applicable.\nm.\nMembrane bioreactor\nNitrogen removal\nn.\nNitrification/denitrification when the treatment includes a biological treatment\nTotal nitrogen, ammonia\nNitrification may not be applicable in the case of high chloride concentrations (e.g. above 10 g/l) and when the reduction of the chloride concentration prior to nitrification would not be justified by the environmental benefits. Nitrification is not applicable when the temperature of the waste water is low (e.g. below 12 °C).\nSolids removal, e.g.\no.\nCoagulation and flocculation\nSuspended solids and particulate-bound metals\nGenerally applicable.\np.\nSedimentation\nq.\nFiltration (e.g. sand filtration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration)\nr.\nFlotation\nTable 6.1\nBAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for direct discharges to a receiving water body\nThe averaging periods are defined in the General considerations.\nEither the BAT-AEL for COD or the BAT-AEL for TOC applies. TOC monitoring is the preferred option because it does not rely on the use of very toxic compounds.\nThe upper end of the range may not apply:\nwhen the abatement efficiency is ≥ 95 % as a rolling yearly average and the waste input shows the following characteristics: TOC > 2 g/l (or COD > 6 g/l) as a daily average and a high proportion of refractory organic compounds (i.e. which are difficult to biodegrade); or\nin the case of high chloride concentrations (e.g. above 5 g/l in the waste input).\nThe BAT-AEL may not apply to plants treating drilling muds/cuttings.\nThe BAT-AEL may not apply when the temperature of the waste water is low (e.g. below 12 °C).\nThe BAT-AEL may not apply in the case of high chloride concentrations (e.g. above 10 g/l in the waste input).\nThe BAT-AEL only applies when biological treatment of waste water is used.\nThe BAT-AELs only apply when the substance concerned is identified as relevant in the waste water inventory mentioned in BAT 3.\nThe upper end of the range is 0,3 mg/l for mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste.\nThe upper end of the range is 2 mg/l for mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste.\nSubstance/Parameter\nBAT-AEL\nWaste treatment process to which the BAT-AEL applies\nTotal organic carbon (TOC)\n10-60 mg/l\nAll waste treatments except treatment of water-based liquid waste\n10-100 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nChemical oxygen demand (COD)\n30-180 mg/l\nAll waste treatments except treatment of water-based liquid waste\n30-300 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nTotal suspended solids (TSS)\n5-60 mg/l\nAll waste treatments\nHydrocarbon oil index (HOI)\n0,5-10 mg/l\nMechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste\nTreatment of WEEE containing VFCs and/or VHCs\nRe-refining of waste oil\nPhysico-chemical treatment of waste with calorific value\nWater washing of excavated contaminated soil\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nTotal nitrogen (Total N)\n1-25 mg/l\nBiological treatment of waste\nRe-refining of waste oil\n10-60 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nTotal phosphorus (Total P)\n0,3-2 mg/l\nBiological treatment of waste\n1-3 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nPhenol index\n0,05-0,2 mg/l\nRe-refining of waste oil\nPhysico-chemical treatment of waste with calorific value\n0,05-0,3 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nFree cyanide (CN-)\n0,02-0,1 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nAdsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX)\n0,2-1 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nMetals and metalloids\nArsenic (expressed as As)\n0,01-0,05 mg/l\nMechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste\nTreatment of WEEE containing VFCs and/or VHCs\nMechanical biological treatment of waste\nRe-refining of waste oil\nPhysico-chemical treatment of waste with calorific value\nPhysico-chemical treatment of solid and/or pasty waste\nRegeneration of spent solvents\nWater washing of excavated contaminated soil\nCadmium (expressed as Cd)\n0,01-0,05 mg/l\nChromium (expressed as Cr)\n0,01-0,15 mg/l\nCopper (expressed as Cu)\n0,05-0,5 mg/l\nLead (expressed as Pb)\n0,05-0,1 mg/l\nNickel (expressed as Ni)\n0,05-0,5 mg/l\nMercury (expressed as Hg)\n0,5-5 μg/l\nZinc (expressed as Zn)\n0,1-1 mg/l\nArsenic (expressed as As)\n0,01-0,1 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nCadmium (expressed as Cd)\n0,01-0,1 mg/l\nChromium (expressed as Cr)\n0,01-0,3 mg/l\nHexavalent chromium (expressed as Cr(VI))\n0,01-0,1 mg/l\nCopper (expressed as Cu)\n0,05-0,5 mg/l\nLead (expressed as Pb)\n0,05-0,3 mg/l\nNickel (expressed as Ni)\n0,05-1 mg/l\nMercury (expressed as Hg)\n1-10 μg/l\nZinc (expressed as Zn)\n0,1-2 mg/l\nThe associated monitoring is given in BAT 7.\nTable 6.2\nBAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for indirect discharges to a receiving water body\nThe averaging periods are defined in the General considerations.\nThe BAT-AELs may not apply if the downstream waste water treatment plant abates the pollutants concerned, provided this does not lead to a higher level of pollution in the environment.\nThe BAT-AELs only apply when the substance concerned is identified as relevant in the waste water inventory mentioned in BAT 3.\nThe upper end of the range is 0,3 mg/l for mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste.\nThe upper end of the range is 2 mg/l for mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste.\nSubstance/Parameter\nBAT-AEL\nWaste treatment process to which the BAT-AEL applies\nHydrocarbon oil index (HOI)\n0,5-10 mg/l\nMechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste\nTreatment of WEEE containing VFCs and/or VHCs\nRe-refining of waste oil\nPhysico-chemical treatment of waste with calorific value\nWater washing of excavated contaminated soil\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nFree cyanide (CN-)\n0,02-0,1 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nAdsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX)\n0,2-1 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nMetals and metalloids\nArsenic (expressed as As)\n0,01-0,05 mg/l\nMechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste\nTreatment of WEEE containing VFCs and/or VHCs\nMechanical biological treatment of waste\nRe-refining of waste oil\nPhysico-chemical treatment of waste with calorific value\nPhysico-chemical treatment of solid and/or pasty waste\nRegeneration of spent solvents\nWater washing of excavated contaminated soil\nCadmium (expressed as Cd)\n0,01-0,05 mg/l\nChromium (expressed as Cr)\n0,01-0,15 mg/l\nCopper (expressed as Cu)\n0,05-0,5 mg/l\nLead (expressed as Pb)\n0,05-0,1 mg/l\nNickel (expressed as Ni)\n0,05-0,5 mg/l\nMercury (expressed as Hg)\n0,5-5 μg/l\nZinc (expressed as Zn)\n0,1-1 mg/l\nArsenic (expressed as As)\n0,01-0,1 mg/l\nTreatment of water-based liquid waste\nCadmium (expressed as Cd)\n0,01-0,1 mg/l\nChromium (expressed as Cr)\n0,01-0,3 mg/l\nHexavalent chromium (expressed as Cr(VI))\n0,01-0,1 mg/l\nCopper (expressed as Cu)\n0,05-0,5 mg/l\nLead (expressed as Pb)\n0,05-0,3 mg/l\nNickel (expressed as Ni)\n0,05-1 mg/l\nMercury (expressed as Hg)\n1-10 μg/l\nZinc (expressed as Zn)\n0,1-2 mg/l\nThe associated monitoring is given in BAT 7.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "The descriptions of the techniques are given in Section 6.3."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f2",
      "text": "The averaging periods are defined in the General considerations."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f3",
      "text": "Either the BAT-AEL for COD or the BAT-AEL for TOC applies. TOC monitoring is the preferred option because it does not rely on the use of very toxic compounds."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f4",
      "text": "The upper end of the range may not apply: when the abatement efficiency is ≥ 95 % as a rolling yearly average and the waste input shows the following characteristics: TOC > 2 g/l (or COD > 6 g/l) as a daily average and a high proportion of refractory organic compounds (i.e. which are difficult to biodegrade); or in the case of high chloride concentrations (e.g. above 5 g/l in the waste input)."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f5",
      "text": "The BAT-AEL may not apply to plants treating drilling muds/cuttings."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f6",
      "text": "The BAT-AEL may not apply when the temperature of the waste water is low (e.g. below 12 °C)."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f7",
      "text": "The BAT-AEL may not apply in the case of high chloride concentrations (e.g. above 10 g/l in the waste input)."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f8",
      "text": "The BAT-AEL only applies when biological treatment of waste water is used."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f9",
      "text": "The BAT-AELs only apply when the substance concerned is identified as relevant in the waste water inventory mentioned in BAT 3."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f10",
      "text": "The upper end of the range is 0,3 mg/l for mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f11",
      "text": "The upper end of the range is 2 mg/l for mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f12",
      "text": "The averaging periods are defined in the General considerations."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f13",
      "text": "The BAT-AELs may not apply if the downstream waste water treatment plant abates the pollutants concerned, provided this does not lead to a higher level of pollution in the environment."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f14",
      "text": "The BAT-AELs only apply when the substance concerned is identified as relevant in the waste water inventory mentioned in BAT 3."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f15",
      "text": "The upper end of the range is 0,3 mg/l for mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f16",
      "text": "The upper end of the range is 2 mg/l for mechanical treatment in shredders of metal waste."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2018/1147/annex/division/1/division/1.5",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:13:01.289264+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}