On the application of permissible pollution limit values for effluents discharged into the wastewater disposal system of Volgograd

Summary

The RF legislation in force regulates the permissible concentrations of pollutants discharged to the sewers and municipal and communal treatment facilities. For many communities compliance with the calculated values of the permissible concentrations turned to be technically unachievable. The standards in force in Volgograd for effluent pollution concentrations discharged by the users into the municipal sewer were calculated for all the users except the residential sector. This resulted in establishing unreasonably stringent limits to certain pollutants. In order to comply with these requirements every industrial user would have to build separate local treatment facilities which in its turn eliminate the need in the municipal treatment facilities. The analysis of the limit values of pollutants discharged into the Volgograd wastewater disposal system from 1997 to 2011 was carried out. The limit values adopted in 2011 and in force at present have been too low compared to the actual quality of domestic sewage; this can produce a disturbing effect on the performance of the biological treatment facilities and result in the pollution of the water bodies. The system of regulating the quality of effluents discharged by the users is considered. The causes of unreasonably stringent permissible pollution concentrations set by calculations; and the duality of the requirements set to the effluent quality are presented. The conclusion of the necessary revision of the regulated limit values with account of the legislation in force and operation of the treatment facilities in accordance with the regulations is made.

Key words

treatment facilities , wastewater , water disposal system , pollutants , regulation of permissible discharge