Testing Concrete Mixing Water Quality
During any concrete production process it is important to ensure water quality standards are maintained and this can be achieved with a regular programme of concrete mixing water testing.
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Trade Effluent Testing
Trade Effluent Testing & Wastewater Analysis
Water Treatment Services is a leading environmental engineering and consulting specialist offering expert industrial wastewater solutions including trade effluent testing and analysis for an extensive range of wastewater contaminants including metals, chemical, microbiological and physical parameters. In the UK trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage or rainwater run-off, which comes from a business or industrial process and is discharged into a public sewer. It’s important to understand that the Water Industry Act 1991 requires any business that wishes to discharge effluent into a public sewer to obtain a formal discharge consent from their local water authority. A discharge consent is a legal document which will stipulate a number of conditions that must be met, including those that control the quality and quantity of any effluent produced and then discharged.
Expert wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing
Our laboratory wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing solutions support a wide range of industry sectors both in the UK and internationally and include:
Full national UK cover
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and wastewater consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally. Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs. To speak with one of our specialists call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below.
Testing wastewater and trade effluent for multiple parameters
Water Treatment Services offer a wide range of trade effluent testing procedures to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 that cover the most common control parameters identified in the conditions of a discharge consent. Our trade effluent analysis solutions include the following parameters and more:
How can trade effluent testing save you money?
UK water companies use what is called the Mogden Formula to calculate the trade effluent charges a business will incur when it disposes of its industrial effluent.
These charges are calculated using a formula that takes into account a number of variables including effluent volumes, and the type and level of contamination. Our trade effluent and wastewater analysis solutions have been carefully developed to help you identify the presence and concentrations of these key consent related contaminants in your wastewater so you can do something about it.
let our wastewater specialists help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your trade effluent costs.
This information will allow you to review and then optimise your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
Industrial wastewater and trade effluent in more detail
Wastewater from many diverse sources is handled by water companies around the UK. They are responsible for maintaining public sewers and the water that flows into them. This water may come from households, from rainwater, and from other sources. However, trade effluent is viewed differently from these other sources. Here, we will discover what trade effluent is, what discharge consent is, how trade effluent testing can help you stay the right side of the law, and how these issues may apply to you and your business. If you own or run a business in the UK, you may well be affected by the information laid out in the Water Industry Act 1991.
If your business produces liquid waste as part of the various processes conducted on your premises, you may be required to obtain discharge consent to cover this effluent.
What is trade effluent?
The term trade effluent relates to wastewater generated by a trade or business, rather than that generated by normal domestic use of water in a home or residence. However, some businesses only generate wastewater by accessing water supplies in the same manner we would do at home. Therefore, it is important to determine whether your business creates trade effluent or not. If it does, you will likely require discharge consent to allow the wastewater to go into the sewer system.
Do all businesses generate effluent?
Not all businesses generate trade effluent, but it can be confusing to work out whether your business does or not. The important question you need to ask yourself is how is your wastewater created? For example, businesses that use water in engineering processes will be classed as producing trade effluent. A professional car washing service will also be classed a producer of trade effluent. These and other similar processes use water in different ways compared to standard domestic waste and how that is created. The greater the chance of other products and by-products contaminating the water, the more likely it is the wastewater would be classed as trade effluent. To gain a greater understanding of how trade effluent is viewed, it is necessary to consider some businesses that do not fall under this category. For instance, a hairdresser is a business, but it only produces wastewater through the normal procedure of washing hair, as we would do at home. Therefore, it does not produce trade effluent. The same applies to the services provided in restaurants and hotels, since these involve the regular use of kitchens, washing up, and bathroom facilities.
What is a discharge consent?
If you operate a business or produce wastewater as part of an industrial process, you are likely to require discharge consent for your trade effluent.
If you obtain this consent, it means that you have permission from the relevant water company in your area to discharge your wastewater into the sewers. The water company will therefore be aware of the water you are getting rid of and what is contained within it. The water companies can then put measures in place to ensure the trade effluent is appropriately treated. Trade discharges of effluent should always be made to a foul sewer or a combined sewer. You should always check with your local water company to make sure any waste you create is discharged to the correct sewer before you do so. You cannot make any discharges of wastewater until you have the proper discharge consent in place. This may be a temporary or permanent consent, depending on the nature of your business and the processes taking place. For example, a construction project taking place over 12 months may only require a temporary trade effluent discharge consent.
Why is a discharge consent required in relevant cases?
Wastewater taken from domestic properties is reasonably consistent in its quality. It can be taken away and treated without posing any risk to the public or to staff working for the water companies. However, the same cannot be said of many trade effluents. When trade effluent is tested, the results will determine whether the solids and other elements present in the water are within acceptable levels. If they are within acceptable levels, discharge consent will likely be granted. If the levels of certain contaminants are above acceptable levels, other treatment or disposal methods will be required to get rid of the trade effluent. In these cases, discharging effluent into the sewers would likely cause a health hazard to the public and those working at the water company. Therefore, permission to discharge the effluent would not be granted.
How can trade effluent testing and wastewater analysis help you obtain a discharge consent?
To obtain proper consent to discharge your wastewater into the sewers, you must be able to prove what is in the wastewater, and this could include a number of contaminants:
This is not an exhaustive list; wastewater from business processes may contain many substances created as by-products of those processes. Your local water company will want proof that the trade effluent your business generates and then discharges meets the standards set out in your discharge consent. Hiring an accredited company such as Water Treatment Services to carry out trade effluent testing and analysis or your wastewater is the only way you can be sure of providing an accurate picture of the quality of the wastewater.
Regular testing of trade effluent provides peace of mind
Regular trade effluent testing also ensures the levels of various elements, metals, solids, and other contaminants within the wastewater remain at or below acceptable limits. This type of specialist wastewater testing ensures you do not fall foul of the law regarding your wastewater treatment standards and that you can therefore continue to get your wastewater treated by your local water company.
Professional laboratory analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of laboratory analysis solutions including the analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing. Our wastewater experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the optimisation of your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent. With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally. Contact us today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
You may also be interested in…
Further reading…
More information about our wastewater treatment solutions … here →
REVIEWS
Submit your review here
Testing Concrete Mixing Water Quality
During any concrete production process it is important to ensure water quality standards are maintained and this can be achieved with a regular programme of concrete mixing water testing.
Trade Effluent Testing
Trade Effluent Testing & Wastewater Analysis
Water Treatment Services is a leading environmental engineering and consulting specialist offering expert industrial wastewater solutions including trade effluent testing and analysis for an extensive range of wastewater contaminants including metals, chemical, microbiological and physical parameters. In the UK trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage or rainwater run-off, which comes from a business or industrial process and is discharged into a public sewer. It’s important to understand that the Water Industry Act 1991 requires any business that wishes to discharge effluent into a public sewer to obtain a formal discharge consent from their local water authority. A discharge consent is a legal document which will stipulate a number of conditions that must be met, including those that control the quality and quantity of any effluent produced and then discharged.
Expert wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing
Our laboratory wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing solutions support a wide range of industry sectors both in the UK and internationally and include:
Full national UK cover
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and wastewater consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally. Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs. To speak with one of our specialists call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below.
Testing wastewater and trade effluent for multiple parameters
Water Treatment Services offer a wide range of trade effluent testing procedures to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 that cover the most common control parameters identified in the conditions of a discharge consent. Our trade effluent analysis solutions include the following parameters and more:
How can trade effluent testing save you money?
UK water companies use what is called the Mogden Formula to calculate the trade effluent charges a business will incur when it disposes of its industrial effluent.
These charges are calculated using a formula that takes into account a number of variables including effluent volumes, and the type and level of contamination. Our trade effluent and wastewater analysis solutions have been carefully developed to help you identify the presence and concentrations of these key consent related contaminants in your wastewater so you can do something about it.
let our wastewater specialists help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your trade effluent costs.
This information will allow you to review and then optimise your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
Industrial wastewater and trade effluent in more detail
Wastewater from many diverse sources is handled by water companies around the UK. They are responsible for maintaining public sewers and the water that flows into them. This water may come from households, from rainwater, and from other sources. However, trade effluent is viewed differently from these other sources. Here, we will discover what trade effluent is, what discharge consent is, how trade effluent testing can help you stay the right side of the law, and how these issues may apply to you and your business. If you own or run a business in the UK, you may well be affected by the information laid out in the Water Industry Act 1991.
If your business produces liquid waste as part of the various processes conducted on your premises, you may be required to obtain discharge consent to cover this effluent.
What is trade effluent?
The term trade effluent relates to wastewater generated by a trade or business, rather than that generated by normal domestic use of water in a home or residence. However, some businesses only generate wastewater by accessing water supplies in the same manner we would do at home. Therefore, it is important to determine whether your business creates trade effluent or not. If it does, you will likely require discharge consent to allow the wastewater to go into the sewer system.
Do all businesses generate effluent?
Not all businesses generate trade effluent, but it can be confusing to work out whether your business does or not. The important question you need to ask yourself is how is your wastewater created? For example, businesses that use water in engineering processes will be classed as producing trade effluent. A professional car washing service will also be classed a producer of trade effluent. These and other similar processes use water in different ways compared to standard domestic waste and how that is created. The greater the chance of other products and by-products contaminating the water, the more likely it is the wastewater would be classed as trade effluent. To gain a greater understanding of how trade effluent is viewed, it is necessary to consider some businesses that do not fall under this category. For instance, a hairdresser is a business, but it only produces wastewater through the normal procedure of washing hair, as we would do at home. Therefore, it does not produce trade effluent. The same applies to the services provided in restaurants and hotels, since these involve the regular use of kitchens, washing up, and bathroom facilities.
What is a discharge consent?
If you operate a business or produce wastewater as part of an industrial process, you are likely to require discharge consent for your trade effluent.
If you obtain this consent, it means that you have permission from the relevant water company in your area to discharge your wastewater into the sewers. The water company will therefore be aware of the water you are getting rid of and what is contained within it. The water companies can then put measures in place to ensure the trade effluent is appropriately treated. Trade discharges of effluent should always be made to a foul sewer or a combined sewer. You should always check with your local water company to make sure any waste you create is discharged to the correct sewer before you do so. You cannot make any discharges of wastewater until you have the proper discharge consent in place. This may be a temporary or permanent consent, depending on the nature of your business and the processes taking place. For example, a construction project taking place over 12 months may only require a temporary trade effluent discharge consent.
Why is a discharge consent required in relevant cases?
Wastewater taken from domestic properties is reasonably consistent in its quality. It can be taken away and treated without posing any risk to the public or to staff working for the water companies. However, the same cannot be said of many trade effluents. When trade effluent is tested, the results will determine whether the solids and other elements present in the water are within acceptable levels. If they are within acceptable levels, discharge consent will likely be granted. If the levels of certain contaminants are above acceptable levels, other treatment or disposal methods will be required to get rid of the trade effluent. In these cases, discharging effluent into the sewers would likely cause a health hazard to the public and those working at the water company. Therefore, permission to discharge the effluent would not be granted.
How can trade effluent testing and wastewater analysis help you obtain a discharge consent?
To obtain proper consent to discharge your wastewater into the sewers, you must be able to prove what is in the wastewater, and this could include a number of contaminants:
This is not an exhaustive list; wastewater from business processes may contain many substances created as by-products of those processes. Your local water company will want proof that the trade effluent your business generates and then discharges meets the standards set out in your discharge consent. Hiring an accredited company such as Water Treatment Services to carry out trade effluent testing and analysis or your wastewater is the only way you can be sure of providing an accurate picture of the quality of the wastewater.
Regular testing of trade effluent provides peace of mind
Regular trade effluent testing also ensures the levels of various elements, metals, solids, and other contaminants within the wastewater remain at or below acceptable limits. This type of specialist wastewater testing ensures you do not fall foul of the law regarding your wastewater treatment standards and that you can therefore continue to get your wastewater treated by your local water company.
Professional laboratory analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of laboratory analysis solutions including the analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing. Our wastewater experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the optimisation of your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent. With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally. Contact us today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
You may also be interested in…
Further reading…
More information about our wastewater treatment solutions … here →
REVIEWS
Submit your review here
Closed System Water Testing
Closed System Water Testing to BSRIA BG 50/2013
Water Treatment Services offer a range of specialist closed system water testing and laboratory analysis solutions to support BSRIA BG 50/2013 standards.
Our water quality analysis solutions cover a comprehensive range of important microbiological, chemical and physical parameters associated with the operation and maintenance of closed heating, chilled and cooling systems.
Why is closed system water testing important?
It is important that the water used in closed systems should be tested at regular intervals.
Checking for bacterial growth and monitoring the internal water chemistry and physical condition of the water can help to ensure that the system is kept under control and operates as it should.
Regular water analysis helps building services engineers, facilities managers and plant operators to identify potentially damaging water conditions that could cause corrosion, the build-up of scale and unwanted bacterial growth before they become problematic.
The full criteria and guidelines for closed system water analysis is established in the BSRIA 50/2013 publication “Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems”.
The main recommendations dealing with water testing in the BSRIA guidelines state that new heating or cooling systems should be tested between one and three months after commissioning.
It also suggests a more frequent schedule of water testing may be suitable during the first six months.
BSRIA water testing to BG 50/2013
Our specialist laboratory based closed system water testing solutions for closed-loop heating and cooling systems includes:
Full national UK coverage
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers, water treatment service specialists and technicians we can offer professional, cost effective water testing, in-field sampling and laboratory analysis services across the UK and Internationally.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our professional laboratory analysis solutions can help improve the performance of your closed heating and cooling systems. To speak with one of our experts call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use this button.
BSRIA closed system water testing
There are three main components to our BSRIA closed system water analysis solutions and they are microbiological analysis, physical and chemical analysis.
Our comprehensive suite of closed system analysis tests includes for the following:
Microbiological analysis
Microbiological analysis will test for bacteria commonly found in closed systems, and which can cause problems if left to proliferate.
Physical and chemical analysis of the water in closed systems
Chemical analysis of the water in closed systems involves an examination of the levels of various parameters of the system water including metals and other substances.
We will also review a number of key physical parameters as part of our investigations.
Tests include a visual inspection of the water, checking pH levels, and analysing the concentrations of minerals such as copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphates, silicates, potassium, aluminium and sodium.
Other tests can be carried out as required.
Commissioning closed systems and water quality considerations
When a new heating or cooling system is first charged, the water used for filling the tanks will usually be taken directly from the mains water supply.
Therefore, the closed system will contain the same levels of bacteria and minerals as are found in mains water.
These levels, particularly the mineral components are not the same across the country and will depend on both geography and where the water is drawn from.
Additionally, the expected levels of bacteria in mains water can typically be anywhere between 10 and 100 cfu per ml of water.
Testing water for bacteria in closed systems
There are many different types of bacteria found in mains water. Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Citrobacter might be found but are very unlikely to live and grow within a closed system.
However, as they die off, they can provide a food source for other types of bacteria.
Other species of bacteria which might cause problems in closed heating and cooling systems include Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Acineobacter and Aeromonas.
These types of bacteria rarely grow into sufficient numbers to cause problems in a drinking water supply.
However, in a closed system they can quickly form slime and cause biofilm to form on internal system surfaces including pipework, pumps and heat exchangers.
Iron, sulphite oxidising bacteria and sulphite reducing bacteria are also sometimes present in mains water.
Iron bacteria feeds off anything ferrous, and can be a cause of corrosion.
Red, orange or yellow coloured water is often a clear sign that iron bacteria is present.
A black slime in the system is a signal that sulphite oxidising bacteria are present. If a foul smell is present in addition to the slime, the problem may be sulphite reducing bacteria.
This type of bacteria is highly corrosive and can cause serious damage.
Biofilm problems in closed water systems
When a new closed system is first commissioned and brought in to service, slime or biofilm forming bacteria is often the first type to take root.
It can coat surfaces with layers of biofilm, which then provide a “hide-out” for other bacteria to start to grow too.
Soon, as the bacteria begins to build-up it will start to have an impact on the thermal efficiency and general operation of the closed heating or cooling system.
The layers of bacteria act as an insulation restricting heat transfer efficiencies and also affect the hydrology.
If the biofilm is allowed to grow unchecked, the oxygen levels within the system will become depleted.
This in turn allows the growth of potentially damaging bacteria which don’t need oxygen to thrive, such as the sulphite reducing bacteria (SRB).
If water levels in a closed system need to be occasionally topped up with water from an open header tank, then the number of bacteria can be even higher.
This is due to the way in which the water is being stored.
If bacteria is not dealt with correctly using specialist closed system water treatment chemicals called biocides, then eventually the entire system may fail… at best its reliability and thermal effectiveness will be compromised.
It is equally important to treat the system correctly.
Some of the chemicals commonly used to treat water can actually become a bacteria foodstuff if it is not added at the right concentration.
How to sample water in closed systems
There are no hard and fast rules about how often the water sampling of closed systems should be carried out.
The frequency will often depend on the design of the system, whether water quality problems are suspected and its life-cycle stage.
Whatever the type of system (heating, chilled or cooling) or its age, operators should have a detailed plan for the sampling and analysis of the water inside the closed system.
The plan should be reviewed frequently as requirements change.
When preparing a sampling plan for closed system water testing, operators should refer to the guidelines produced by both the British Standards Institute (BSI) and the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA).
Appropriate safety precautions should also be followed during the sampling procedures.
Although you will need someone within the organisation to take the samples of water from the closed system, it is unlikely you will have access to the type of specialist laboratory facilities required to carry-out the range of micro and chemical tests specified by BSRIA 50/2015.
Closed system water analysis of this nature is best carried out by the specialists such as Water Treatment Services.
Taking water samples from a closed system
Once a suitable sampling point has been identified it should be thoroughly flushed before taking any water samples.
The water samples, once collected should be suitably referenced, timed and dated so they can be identified, they should then be sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Once the full suite of water tests has been completed you will receive a report detailing the results.
As part of the sampling process there should also be a system for recording and tracking results to allow for comparison over time.
In addition to closed system testing for bacteria which can corrode heating and cooling systems, our laboratories can also check for legionella, metals and other contaminants where these are of concern.
Expert BSRIA closed system water testing for heating, chilled and cooling facilities
Contact Water Treatment Services today to find out more about ourBSRIA closed system water testing and laboratory analysis services for the pro-active management of closed heating, chilled and cooling installations.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specialists we can offer professional, cost effective water treatment solutions across the whole of the UK and Internationally.
Contact us today for more information or for your FREE, no obligation quote.
You may also be interested in…
Further reading…
More information about closed system water treatment services … here →
REVIEWS
Submit your review here
Controlling Legionella & Other Bacteria in Spa Pools
In this expert guide the specialists at Water Treatment Services consider the control of waterborne bacteria, including legionella in spa pools and hot tubs to improve water quality and safety issues. The guide highlights the UK’s health and safety regulations in this area and what steps owners, managers and operators of spas can take to minimise the risks to bathers and others.
Managing Recreational Water Quality Standards
In this specialist guide the experts at Water Treatment Services look at the management of recreational water quality standards required to ensure the safety of bathers and other people using inland and coastal water sites throughout the UK.
The guide reviews current regulatory standards, identifies typical contaminants and highlights specific indicator bacteria used to evaluate the safety of both fresh and salt water. The guide also considers the need for specialist recreational water testing, the potential health issues caused by contaminated bathing water and additional safety considerations that need to be taken in to account.
Calculating Trade Effluent Charges Using the Mogden Formula
In this expert guide the Mogden Formula, used by UK water companies to calculate trade effluent charges comes under review from the industrial wastewater specialists at Water Treatment Services. The guide looks at its history and how it is used to calculate the costs for discharging effluent. It also considers how the formula can be used to identify opportunities for environmental improvement and cost reduction for businesses.
Managing Cryptosporidium in Swimming Pools
In this specialist guide the water safety experts at Water Treatment Services take a detailed look at the problems associated with Cryptosporidium in swimming pools, spas and hot tubs and what steps owners, managers and operators can take to minimise the risks to bathers.
Managing Hydrotherapy Pool Water Safety
Hydrotherapy pool water safety is not an issue to be ignored as such facilities can present increased risks to patients, staff and others, especially if the water used in them is not managed and maintained correctly.
In this expert guide the water safety specialists at Water Treatment Services review the use and management of hydrotherapy facilities and what issues owners, managers and operators need to be consider to ensure optimum water quality and safety are maintained.
Pages
Testing Concrete Mixing Water Quality
During any concrete production process it is important to ensure water quality standards are maintained and this can be achieved with a regular programme of concrete mixing water testing.
Trade Effluent Testing
Trade Effluent Testing & Wastewater Analysis
Water Treatment Services is a leading environmental engineering and consulting specialist offering expert industrial wastewater solutions including trade effluent testing and analysis for an extensive range of wastewater contaminants including metals, chemical, microbiological and physical parameters. In the UK trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage or rainwater run-off, which comes from a business or industrial process and is discharged into a public sewer. It’s important to understand that the Water Industry Act 1991 requires any business that wishes to discharge effluent into a public sewer to obtain a formal discharge consent from their local water authority. A discharge consent is a legal document which will stipulate a number of conditions that must be met, including those that control the quality and quantity of any effluent produced and then discharged.
Expert wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing
Our laboratory wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing solutions support a wide range of industry sectors both in the UK and internationally and include:
Full national UK cover
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and wastewater consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally. Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs. To speak with one of our specialists call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below.
Testing wastewater and trade effluent for multiple parameters
Water Treatment Services offer a wide range of trade effluent testing procedures to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 that cover the most common control parameters identified in the conditions of a discharge consent. Our trade effluent analysis solutions include the following parameters and more:
How can trade effluent testing save you money?
UK water companies use what is called the Mogden Formula to calculate the trade effluent charges a business will incur when it disposes of its industrial effluent.
These charges are calculated using a formula that takes into account a number of variables including effluent volumes, and the type and level of contamination. Our trade effluent and wastewater analysis solutions have been carefully developed to help you identify the presence and concentrations of these key consent related contaminants in your wastewater so you can do something about it.
let our wastewater specialists help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your trade effluent costs.
This information will allow you to review and then optimise your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
Industrial wastewater and trade effluent in more detail
Wastewater from many diverse sources is handled by water companies around the UK. They are responsible for maintaining public sewers and the water that flows into them. This water may come from households, from rainwater, and from other sources. However, trade effluent is viewed differently from these other sources. Here, we will discover what trade effluent is, what discharge consent is, how trade effluent testing can help you stay the right side of the law, and how these issues may apply to you and your business. If you own or run a business in the UK, you may well be affected by the information laid out in the Water Industry Act 1991.
If your business produces liquid waste as part of the various processes conducted on your premises, you may be required to obtain discharge consent to cover this effluent.
What is trade effluent?
The term trade effluent relates to wastewater generated by a trade or business, rather than that generated by normal domestic use of water in a home or residence. However, some businesses only generate wastewater by accessing water supplies in the same manner we would do at home. Therefore, it is important to determine whether your business creates trade effluent or not. If it does, you will likely require discharge consent to allow the wastewater to go into the sewer system.
Do all businesses generate effluent?
Not all businesses generate trade effluent, but it can be confusing to work out whether your business does or not. The important question you need to ask yourself is how is your wastewater created? For example, businesses that use water in engineering processes will be classed as producing trade effluent. A professional car washing service will also be classed a producer of trade effluent. These and other similar processes use water in different ways compared to standard domestic waste and how that is created. The greater the chance of other products and by-products contaminating the water, the more likely it is the wastewater would be classed as trade effluent. To gain a greater understanding of how trade effluent is viewed, it is necessary to consider some businesses that do not fall under this category. For instance, a hairdresser is a business, but it only produces wastewater through the normal procedure of washing hair, as we would do at home. Therefore, it does not produce trade effluent. The same applies to the services provided in restaurants and hotels, since these involve the regular use of kitchens, washing up, and bathroom facilities.
What is a discharge consent?
If you operate a business or produce wastewater as part of an industrial process, you are likely to require discharge consent for your trade effluent.
If you obtain this consent, it means that you have permission from the relevant water company in your area to discharge your wastewater into the sewers. The water company will therefore be aware of the water you are getting rid of and what is contained within it. The water companies can then put measures in place to ensure the trade effluent is appropriately treated. Trade discharges of effluent should always be made to a foul sewer or a combined sewer. You should always check with your local water company to make sure any waste you create is discharged to the correct sewer before you do so. You cannot make any discharges of wastewater until you have the proper discharge consent in place. This may be a temporary or permanent consent, depending on the nature of your business and the processes taking place. For example, a construction project taking place over 12 months may only require a temporary trade effluent discharge consent.
Why is a discharge consent required in relevant cases?
Wastewater taken from domestic properties is reasonably consistent in its quality. It can be taken away and treated without posing any risk to the public or to staff working for the water companies. However, the same cannot be said of many trade effluents. When trade effluent is tested, the results will determine whether the solids and other elements present in the water are within acceptable levels. If they are within acceptable levels, discharge consent will likely be granted. If the levels of certain contaminants are above acceptable levels, other treatment or disposal methods will be required to get rid of the trade effluent. In these cases, discharging effluent into the sewers would likely cause a health hazard to the public and those working at the water company. Therefore, permission to discharge the effluent would not be granted.
How can trade effluent testing and wastewater analysis help you obtain a discharge consent?
To obtain proper consent to discharge your wastewater into the sewers, you must be able to prove what is in the wastewater, and this could include a number of contaminants:
This is not an exhaustive list; wastewater from business processes may contain many substances created as by-products of those processes. Your local water company will want proof that the trade effluent your business generates and then discharges meets the standards set out in your discharge consent. Hiring an accredited company such as Water Treatment Services to carry out trade effluent testing and analysis or your wastewater is the only way you can be sure of providing an accurate picture of the quality of the wastewater.
Regular testing of trade effluent provides peace of mind
Regular trade effluent testing also ensures the levels of various elements, metals, solids, and other contaminants within the wastewater remain at or below acceptable limits. This type of specialist wastewater testing ensures you do not fall foul of the law regarding your wastewater treatment standards and that you can therefore continue to get your wastewater treated by your local water company.
Professional laboratory analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of laboratory analysis solutions including the analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing. Our wastewater experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the optimisation of your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent. With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally. Contact us today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
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Testing Concrete Mixing Water Quality
During any concrete production process it is important to ensure water quality standards are maintained and this can be achieved with a regular programme of concrete mixing water testing.
Trade Effluent Testing
Trade Effluent Testing & Wastewater Analysis
Water Treatment Services is a leading environmental engineering and consulting specialist offering expert industrial wastewater solutions including trade effluent testing and analysis for an extensive range of wastewater contaminants including metals, chemical, microbiological and physical parameters. In the UK trade effluent is defined as any liquid waste, other than domestic sewage or rainwater run-off, which comes from a business or industrial process and is discharged into a public sewer. It’s important to understand that the Water Industry Act 1991 requires any business that wishes to discharge effluent into a public sewer to obtain a formal discharge consent from their local water authority. A discharge consent is a legal document which will stipulate a number of conditions that must be met, including those that control the quality and quantity of any effluent produced and then discharged.
Expert wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing
Our laboratory wastewater analysis and trade effluent testing solutions support a wide range of industry sectors both in the UK and internationally and include:
Full national UK cover
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and wastewater consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally. Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs. To speak with one of our specialists call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use the button below.
Testing wastewater and trade effluent for multiple parameters
Water Treatment Services offer a wide range of trade effluent testing procedures to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 that cover the most common control parameters identified in the conditions of a discharge consent. Our trade effluent analysis solutions include the following parameters and more:
How can trade effluent testing save you money?
UK water companies use what is called the Mogden Formula to calculate the trade effluent charges a business will incur when it disposes of its industrial effluent.
These charges are calculated using a formula that takes into account a number of variables including effluent volumes, and the type and level of contamination. Our trade effluent and wastewater analysis solutions have been carefully developed to help you identify the presence and concentrations of these key consent related contaminants in your wastewater so you can do something about it.
let our wastewater specialists help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your trade effluent costs.
This information will allow you to review and then optimise your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent.
Industrial wastewater and trade effluent in more detail
Wastewater from many diverse sources is handled by water companies around the UK. They are responsible for maintaining public sewers and the water that flows into them. This water may come from households, from rainwater, and from other sources. However, trade effluent is viewed differently from these other sources. Here, we will discover what trade effluent is, what discharge consent is, how trade effluent testing can help you stay the right side of the law, and how these issues may apply to you and your business. If you own or run a business in the UK, you may well be affected by the information laid out in the Water Industry Act 1991.
If your business produces liquid waste as part of the various processes conducted on your premises, you may be required to obtain discharge consent to cover this effluent.
What is trade effluent?
The term trade effluent relates to wastewater generated by a trade or business, rather than that generated by normal domestic use of water in a home or residence. However, some businesses only generate wastewater by accessing water supplies in the same manner we would do at home. Therefore, it is important to determine whether your business creates trade effluent or not. If it does, you will likely require discharge consent to allow the wastewater to go into the sewer system.
Do all businesses generate effluent?
Not all businesses generate trade effluent, but it can be confusing to work out whether your business does or not. The important question you need to ask yourself is how is your wastewater created? For example, businesses that use water in engineering processes will be classed as producing trade effluent. A professional car washing service will also be classed a producer of trade effluent. These and other similar processes use water in different ways compared to standard domestic waste and how that is created. The greater the chance of other products and by-products contaminating the water, the more likely it is the wastewater would be classed as trade effluent. To gain a greater understanding of how trade effluent is viewed, it is necessary to consider some businesses that do not fall under this category. For instance, a hairdresser is a business, but it only produces wastewater through the normal procedure of washing hair, as we would do at home. Therefore, it does not produce trade effluent. The same applies to the services provided in restaurants and hotels, since these involve the regular use of kitchens, washing up, and bathroom facilities.
What is a discharge consent?
If you operate a business or produce wastewater as part of an industrial process, you are likely to require discharge consent for your trade effluent.
If you obtain this consent, it means that you have permission from the relevant water company in your area to discharge your wastewater into the sewers. The water company will therefore be aware of the water you are getting rid of and what is contained within it. The water companies can then put measures in place to ensure the trade effluent is appropriately treated. Trade discharges of effluent should always be made to a foul sewer or a combined sewer. You should always check with your local water company to make sure any waste you create is discharged to the correct sewer before you do so. You cannot make any discharges of wastewater until you have the proper discharge consent in place. This may be a temporary or permanent consent, depending on the nature of your business and the processes taking place. For example, a construction project taking place over 12 months may only require a temporary trade effluent discharge consent.
Why is a discharge consent required in relevant cases?
Wastewater taken from domestic properties is reasonably consistent in its quality. It can be taken away and treated without posing any risk to the public or to staff working for the water companies. However, the same cannot be said of many trade effluents. When trade effluent is tested, the results will determine whether the solids and other elements present in the water are within acceptable levels. If they are within acceptable levels, discharge consent will likely be granted. If the levels of certain contaminants are above acceptable levels, other treatment or disposal methods will be required to get rid of the trade effluent. In these cases, discharging effluent into the sewers would likely cause a health hazard to the public and those working at the water company. Therefore, permission to discharge the effluent would not be granted.
How can trade effluent testing and wastewater analysis help you obtain a discharge consent?
To obtain proper consent to discharge your wastewater into the sewers, you must be able to prove what is in the wastewater, and this could include a number of contaminants:
This is not an exhaustive list; wastewater from business processes may contain many substances created as by-products of those processes. Your local water company will want proof that the trade effluent your business generates and then discharges meets the standards set out in your discharge consent. Hiring an accredited company such as Water Treatment Services to carry out trade effluent testing and analysis or your wastewater is the only way you can be sure of providing an accurate picture of the quality of the wastewater.
Regular testing of trade effluent provides peace of mind
Regular trade effluent testing also ensures the levels of various elements, metals, solids, and other contaminants within the wastewater remain at or below acceptable limits. This type of specialist wastewater testing ensures you do not fall foul of the law regarding your wastewater treatment standards and that you can therefore continue to get your wastewater treated by your local water company.
Professional laboratory analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing
Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of laboratory analysis solutions including the analysis of wastewater and trade effluent testing. Our wastewater experts can provide advice and support to help you identify the most appropriate strategies for the optimisation of your treatment and discharge processes and so reduce the costs associated with the disposal of your trade effluent. With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained technicians, in-field specialists and consultants we can offer professional, cost effective water testing and laboratory analysis solutions across the whole of the UK and internationally. Contact us today to learn how our expert wastewater solutions can help you meet your discharge consent obligations, optimise your liquid waste processes and reduce your costs.
You may also be interested in…
Further reading…
More information about our wastewater treatment solutions … here →
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Closed System Water Testing
Closed System Water Testing to BSRIA BG 50/2013
Water Treatment Services offer a range of specialist closed system water testing and laboratory analysis solutions to support BSRIA BG 50/2013 standards.
Our water quality analysis solutions cover a comprehensive range of important microbiological, chemical and physical parameters associated with the operation and maintenance of closed heating, chilled and cooling systems.
Why is closed system water testing important?
It is important that the water used in closed systems should be tested at regular intervals.
Checking for bacterial growth and monitoring the internal water chemistry and physical condition of the water can help to ensure that the system is kept under control and operates as it should.
Regular water analysis helps building services engineers, facilities managers and plant operators to identify potentially damaging water conditions that could cause corrosion, the build-up of scale and unwanted bacterial growth before they become problematic.
The full criteria and guidelines for closed system water analysis is established in the BSRIA 50/2013 publication “Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems”.
The main recommendations dealing with water testing in the BSRIA guidelines state that new heating or cooling systems should be tested between one and three months after commissioning.
It also suggests a more frequent schedule of water testing may be suitable during the first six months.
BSRIA water testing to BG 50/2013
Our specialist laboratory based closed system water testing solutions for closed-loop heating and cooling systems includes:
Full national UK coverage
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specially trained engineers, water treatment service specialists and technicians we can offer professional, cost effective water testing, in-field sampling and laboratory analysis services across the UK and Internationally.
Contact Water Treatment Services today to learn how our professional laboratory analysis solutions can help improve the performance of your closed heating and cooling systems. To speak with one of our experts call us on 0330 223 31 31 or simply use this button.
BSRIA closed system water testing
There are three main components to our BSRIA closed system water analysis solutions and they are microbiological analysis, physical and chemical analysis.
Our comprehensive suite of closed system analysis tests includes for the following:
Microbiological analysis
Microbiological analysis will test for bacteria commonly found in closed systems, and which can cause problems if left to proliferate.
Physical and chemical analysis of the water in closed systems
Chemical analysis of the water in closed systems involves an examination of the levels of various parameters of the system water including metals and other substances.
We will also review a number of key physical parameters as part of our investigations.
Tests include a visual inspection of the water, checking pH levels, and analysing the concentrations of minerals such as copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphates, silicates, potassium, aluminium and sodium.
Other tests can be carried out as required.
Commissioning closed systems and water quality considerations
When a new heating or cooling system is first charged, the water used for filling the tanks will usually be taken directly from the mains water supply.
Therefore, the closed system will contain the same levels of bacteria and minerals as are found in mains water.
These levels, particularly the mineral components are not the same across the country and will depend on both geography and where the water is drawn from.
Additionally, the expected levels of bacteria in mains water can typically be anywhere between 10 and 100 cfu per ml of water.
Testing water for bacteria in closed systems
There are many different types of bacteria found in mains water. Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Citrobacter might be found but are very unlikely to live and grow within a closed system.
However, as they die off, they can provide a food source for other types of bacteria.
Other species of bacteria which might cause problems in closed heating and cooling systems include Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Acineobacter and Aeromonas.
These types of bacteria rarely grow into sufficient numbers to cause problems in a drinking water supply.
However, in a closed system they can quickly form slime and cause biofilm to form on internal system surfaces including pipework, pumps and heat exchangers.
Iron, sulphite oxidising bacteria and sulphite reducing bacteria are also sometimes present in mains water.
Iron bacteria feeds off anything ferrous, and can be a cause of corrosion.
Red, orange or yellow coloured water is often a clear sign that iron bacteria is present.
A black slime in the system is a signal that sulphite oxidising bacteria are present. If a foul smell is present in addition to the slime, the problem may be sulphite reducing bacteria.
This type of bacteria is highly corrosive and can cause serious damage.
Biofilm problems in closed water systems
When a new closed system is first commissioned and brought in to service, slime or biofilm forming bacteria is often the first type to take root.
It can coat surfaces with layers of biofilm, which then provide a “hide-out” for other bacteria to start to grow too.
Soon, as the bacteria begins to build-up it will start to have an impact on the thermal efficiency and general operation of the closed heating or cooling system.
The layers of bacteria act as an insulation restricting heat transfer efficiencies and also affect the hydrology.
If the biofilm is allowed to grow unchecked, the oxygen levels within the system will become depleted.
This in turn allows the growth of potentially damaging bacteria which don’t need oxygen to thrive, such as the sulphite reducing bacteria (SRB).
If water levels in a closed system need to be occasionally topped up with water from an open header tank, then the number of bacteria can be even higher.
This is due to the way in which the water is being stored.
If bacteria is not dealt with correctly using specialist closed system water treatment chemicals called biocides, then eventually the entire system may fail… at best its reliability and thermal effectiveness will be compromised.
It is equally important to treat the system correctly.
Some of the chemicals commonly used to treat water can actually become a bacteria foodstuff if it is not added at the right concentration.
How to sample water in closed systems
There are no hard and fast rules about how often the water sampling of closed systems should be carried out.
The frequency will often depend on the design of the system, whether water quality problems are suspected and its life-cycle stage.
Whatever the type of system (heating, chilled or cooling) or its age, operators should have a detailed plan for the sampling and analysis of the water inside the closed system.
The plan should be reviewed frequently as requirements change.
When preparing a sampling plan for closed system water testing, operators should refer to the guidelines produced by both the British Standards Institute (BSI) and the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA).
Appropriate safety precautions should also be followed during the sampling procedures.
Although you will need someone within the organisation to take the samples of water from the closed system, it is unlikely you will have access to the type of specialist laboratory facilities required to carry-out the range of micro and chemical tests specified by BSRIA 50/2015.
Closed system water analysis of this nature is best carried out by the specialists such as Water Treatment Services.
Taking water samples from a closed system
Once a suitable sampling point has been identified it should be thoroughly flushed before taking any water samples.
The water samples, once collected should be suitably referenced, timed and dated so they can be identified, they should then be sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Once the full suite of water tests has been completed you will receive a report detailing the results.
As part of the sampling process there should also be a system for recording and tracking results to allow for comparison over time.
In addition to closed system testing for bacteria which can corrode heating and cooling systems, our laboratories can also check for legionella, metals and other contaminants where these are of concern.
Expert BSRIA closed system water testing for heating, chilled and cooling facilities
Contact Water Treatment Services today to find out more about ourBSRIA closed system water testing and laboratory analysis services for the pro-active management of closed heating, chilled and cooling installations.
With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of specialists we can offer professional, cost effective water treatment solutions across the whole of the UK and Internationally.
Contact us today for more information or for your FREE, no obligation quote.
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Further reading…
More information about closed system water treatment services … here →
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Controlling Legionella & Other Bacteria in Spa Pools
In this expert guide the specialists at Water Treatment Services consider the control of waterborne bacteria, including legionella in spa pools and hot tubs to improve water quality and safety issues. The guide highlights the UK’s health and safety regulations in this area and what steps owners, managers and operators of spas can take to minimise the risks to bathers and others.
Managing Recreational Water Quality Standards
In this specialist guide the experts at Water Treatment Services look at the management of recreational water quality standards required to ensure the safety of bathers and other people using inland and coastal water sites throughout the UK.
The guide reviews current regulatory standards, identifies typical contaminants and highlights specific indicator bacteria used to evaluate the safety of both fresh and salt water. The guide also considers the need for specialist recreational water testing, the potential health issues caused by contaminated bathing water and additional safety considerations that need to be taken in to account.
Calculating Trade Effluent Charges Using the Mogden Formula
In this expert guide the Mogden Formula, used by UK water companies to calculate trade effluent charges comes under review from the industrial wastewater specialists at Water Treatment Services. The guide looks at its history and how it is used to calculate the costs for discharging effluent. It also considers how the formula can be used to identify opportunities for environmental improvement and cost reduction for businesses.
Managing Cryptosporidium in Swimming Pools
In this specialist guide the water safety experts at Water Treatment Services take a detailed look at the problems associated with Cryptosporidium in swimming pools, spas and hot tubs and what steps owners, managers and operators can take to minimise the risks to bathers.
Managing Hydrotherapy Pool Water Safety
Hydrotherapy pool water safety is not an issue to be ignored as such facilities can present increased risks to patients, staff and others, especially if the water used in them is not managed and maintained correctly.
In this expert guide the water safety specialists at Water Treatment Services review the use and management of hydrotherapy facilities and what issues owners, managers and operators need to be consider to ensure optimum water quality and safety are maintained.