En EnvStand11 Biological Treatment

Environmental Standards

Biological Treatment Design and Operation

KSA Presidency of Meteorology and Environment PME Reference

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Page 1 of 18

Article I Preliminary

1) Definitions

aerobic means in the presence of oxygen. aerobic digestion is the biological decomposition of organic materials by micro-organisms under controlled, aerobic, conditions. anaerobic means in the absence of oxygen. anaerobic digestion is the process where biodegradable material is encouraged to break down in the absence of oxygen. Material is placed into an enclosed vessel and in controlled conditions the waste breaks down typically into a digestate, liquor and biogas. authorisation process refers to the determination of all applications for the development of a new biological treatment facility by the Competent Agency up to the point where permission is granted to proceed with the development. bio-aerosols are biological particles suspended in air and can be either whole or fragments of living or dead microbes, or their spores. biodegradable means capable of being degraded by plants and animals. biodegradable Waste is waste that is capable of undergoing anaerobic or aerobic decomposition, such as food or garden waste and paper and cardboard, that is, waste that rots. biogas is the gas resulting from the fermentation of waste in the absence of air (methane/carbon dioxide). bunds are systems which contain waste in an embankment or secondary container to prevent the waste from travelling or escaping. CQA refers to construction quality assurance. Competent Agency where referenced, refers to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment or its designated representative. Construction Quality Assurance Plan (CQA) refers to the documentation to be provided outlining the successful construction of the biological treatment facility and providing evidence that all design performance specifications have been met. digestate is the solid and/or liquid product resulting from Anaerobic Digestion.

disposal is all operations of incineration; precipitation; landfill; or intentional or unintentional, direct or indirect, discharge of any wastes or hazardous, toxic or radioactive substances, either in gaseous, liquid or solid forms, into the environment. "emission" means the direct or indirect release of substances, vibrations, heat or noise from individual or diffuse sources in the plant into the air, water or soil. feedstock refers to the raw material required for the process. generator is a commercial or industrial organisation which produces or stores trackable waste and arranges for this waste to be sent for storage, recycling, treatment or disposal at another location via an authorised transporter. GER refers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabias General Environmental Regulations. green waste is waste from gardens and parks including tree cuttings, branches, grass, leaves (with the exception of street sweepings), sawdust, wood chips and other wood waste not treated with heavy metals or organic compounds. hazardous waste is a waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of having a harmful effect on human health and the environment. in-vessel composting is the aerobic decomposition of shredded and mixed organic waste within an enclosed container, where the control systems for material degradation are fully automated. Moisture, temperature, and odour can be regulated and a stable compost can be produced much more quickly than outdoor windrow composting. KSA refers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. landfill is any facility, other than a ground treatment facility or a storage pool, where wastes are disposed of in an environmentally safe manner either by placing them on the ground or burying them underground. liquor is concentrated liquid, produced as a result of the decomposition of organic waste. Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) refers to the mechanical sorting/separation technologies used in conjunction with biological treatment

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Environmental Standard

Biological Treatment Design and Operation



processes, such as composting or anaerobic digestion. non-hazardous waste refers to waste which in its current state, does not pose an immediate danger to human health or the environment. parameter shall refer to a chemical, physical or biological measurement factor as listed. PME refers to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment who are designated as the responsible authority for the protection of the environment and the development of environmental protection standards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. putrescible waste is organic matter constituting food scraps, food preparation waste and plate scrapings and other perishable foodstuffs. recycling is the separation and collection of wastes materials for the subsequent transformation or remanufacture into usable or marketable products or materials. "residue" means any liquid or solid material (including sewage sludge from the treatment of waste waters), classified as waste in the Waste Classification Standard, which is generated by the biological treatment process. risk assessment is the process of identifying and quantifying a risk and assessing the significance of that risk in relation to other risks. sewage sludge is formed as a by-product of the different treatment stages of raw sewage from domestic households and includes by-products of industrial and commercial effluent treatment processes, including: residual sludge from sewage plants treating

domestic or urban waste waters and from other sewage plants treating waste waters of a composition similar to domestic and urban waste waters;

residual sludge from septic tanks and other similar installations for the treatment of sewage.

sludge is any solid, semi-solid, liquid or precipitating wastes remaining at the bottom of tanks or containers, such as those resulting from the treatment processes of domestic, commercial or industrial sewage or potable water or produced by air pollution control devices. storage means all operations intended to keep or contain wastes and other hazardous, toxic or radioactive substances for the purpose of treatment, transportation or disposal. tanks are stationary devices, as opposed to portable containers, used to store or treat waste. Tanks can be open topped or completely enclosed, and may be constructed of materials including steel, plastic, fibreglass, and concrete.

transporter means a person engaged in the off-site transportation of waste by air, rail, highway or water and is anyone who transports the trackable waste from its place of production or storage to another location. treatment is any means or technique of altering the physical, chemical or biological properties of wastes used to neutralise such wastes; utilise substances or energy contained therein or released by them; and transform the hazardous wastes into wastes that are non-hazardous, less hazardous or safer when transported, stored, disposed of, prepared for storage, or reduced in volume. TSD Facility refers to a treatment, storage and/or a disposal facility. WAC refers to Waste Acceptance Criteria. waste facility is a site for recycling, storing, treating or disposing of waste. waste handler is a generator, transporter and receiver of waste who has waste responsibilities. waste receiver is any person operating a facility to whom waste is transported for recycling, storage, treatment or disposal. windrow composting is the aerobic decomposition of appropriate shredded biodegradable waste using open linear heaps known as 'windrows', which are approximately three meters high and four to six meters across. The process involves mechanical turning of the waste until the desired temperature and residence times are achieved to enable effective degradation. This results in a bulk-reduced, stabilised residue known as compost. Windrow composting can take place outdoors or within buildings and the process takes around three months. working plan is the operational plan developed prior to the acceptance of waste which sets out the operational methods to be used on site and demonstrates how environmental and human health impacts will be managed and controlled.

2) Citation a) This document may be cited as the National Biological Treatment Design and Operations Standard for KSA. This standard revises the current General Standards for the Environment (specifically document number 1409-01) issued by the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME).

3) Timescales for implementation . a) The effective date of this standard is

01/05/1433H corresponds to 24/03/2012G.



4) Purpose a) The Standard for Biological Treatment Design and Operation has effect for purposes connected with the treatment and disposal of biodegradable waste, and in particular for the purposes of the;

i) design of new biological treatment facilities

which accept biodegradable waste from across the KSA; and

ii) operation of biological treatment facilities to ensure that the sites are managed in a manner which will have least possible impact upon the neighbouring environment or human health;

and accordingly the Biological Treatment Design and Operation Standard shall be recognised and used for those purposes. b) This Standard guides those developing and operating biological treatment facilities to;

i) understand the best practice requirements

with respect to biological treatment facility design and operation;

ii) develop new biological treatment facilities

with due regard to international best practice; and

iii) understand the necessary site development

requirements for the different type of biological processes;

c) This Standard is intended for use as a default position for biological treatment design and operation.

5) Scope a) This Standard applies to all new biological treatment pre-development. However, existing biological treatment facility operators must, as far as practicable, implement the relevant best practice measures contained within this Standard. b) This Standard sets out the design parameters and operational requirements for biological treatment facilities in the KSA. c) This Standard applies to commercial and/or publicly operated biological treatment facilities. The provisions of this Standard are therefore not applicable to domestic biological processes such as home composting initiatives operated by householders at their place of residence.

6) Exemptions

a) Specific exemptions may be specified within this standard at any point where relevant to the Article that they are common to.

7) Powers of Authority a) Within the scope of these standards the Competent Agency may:

i) prescribe specific requirements at any time as to other characteristics of waste;

ii) authorise such relaxations or departures

from, the waste standards and make any such authorisation subject to the prescribed conditions, and to modify or revoke any such authorisation or condition; and

iii) authorise a local Concerned Agency to

exercise any power conferred by these regulations by paragraphs i) - ii) above.

b) The Competent Agency may, for the purposes of this Standard, appoint persons to act on their behalf as technical assessors and monitors in relation to the powers and duties conferred on him by this standard and/or its subsequent amendments. c) In addition to the responsibilities conferred by other sections contained within this standard, it shall be the duty of a relevant party;

i) to give the Competent Agency all such assistance; and

ii) to provide the Competent Agency with all such information, as that may reasonably be required for the purpose of carrying out an investigation

d) The Competent Agency or appointed individual for the purpose of waste regulation may:

i) Enter any premises for the purpose of carrying out any investigation. ii) carry out such inspections, measurements and tests on premises entered, articles or records found on any such premises, and take away such samples of waste or articles, as may be considered appropriate for the purpose of enabling such investigation; or iii) at any reasonable time require any relevant party to supply him with copies of, or of extracts from, any records kept for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with waste standards.

e) This standard enables the issue of regulations and technical memoranda which are enforceable by the Competent Agency who hold delegated authority under the General Environmental Regulations.



8) Enforcement procedures

a) Failure to comply with the requirements of these standards may lead to prosecution by the Competent Agency and those convicted of such failure may be subject to fines or periods of imprisonment as laid out in the General Environmental Regulations. b) It is anticipated that the requirements of this standard will be enforced nationally with inspections taking place to verify their implementation at a regional and local level.

9) Penalty fines

a) Maximum fines that may be imposed for exceeding the applicable standard, breach of permit and failure to comply with an abatement notice are set out in the General Environmental Regulations.

10) Appeals a) A right of appeal exists for any organisation or individual who is required to take action as a consequence of the implementation of the revised standard. b) The right of appeal against conviction or sentence is available through the appropriate judicial system as set out in the General Environmental Regulations.

c) All appeals should be fully supported with a documented case containing as a minimum, the information required under the appeals process of the General Environmental Regulations.

11) Periodic review a) As a minimum, the Competent Agency shall undertake a periodic review of this standard every 5 years. b) Where new information suggests that adjustments are required to this standard, all changes will be subject to the appropriate consultation and will be notified to facilities by the Competent Agency. Appropriate implementation time will be allowed.

Article II Classification of Biological Treatment Systems

a) The provisions of this Standard apply to the classification of biological treatment processes into either aerobic or anaerobic systems.

1) Aerobic Systems

a) These systems are oxygenated and the microbiological organisms convert the organic components of the hazardous waste into carbon dioxide and water. b) Aerobic systems include;

i) aerobic activated and supported sludge processes these are used for the treatment of industrial wastewaters containing organic wastes and for sewage sludge; and

ii) composting this is the aerobic

biological degradation of biodegradable green waste and putrescible waste.

c) Composting involves the biodegradation of waste under aerobic conditions and therefore requires aeration of the waste. This can be achieved by several methods, including;

i) windrow system - comprises the aerobic

processing of organic wastes placed in rows and either actively aerated or turned to promote aeration and decomposition of the material to form compost. This method must be confined to the green (or garden) waste element of municipal waste. The process may be covered or take place in the open air;

ii) aerated static piles The process can

also take place in static piles aerated through either a sucking or blowing action. This removes the need for turning in order to provide aeration. This method is restricted to treating green waste; and

iii) in-vessel systems used for the

composting of materials in encapsulated environments; can be used for a wider range of materials than windrow and aerated static pile systems, including food processing and other putrescible waste.

2) Anaerobic Systems

a) Anaerobic systems are devoid of oxygen and the organisms convert the waste into methane and carbon dioxide. Anaerobic digestion takes place in an enclosed, closely controlled reactor. b) Anaerobic digestion of waste can be used for the treatment of municipal solid waste and other wastes such as sewage sludge, agricultural wastes and animal manure.

c) Anaerobic systems include;

i) dry continuous digestion; ii) dry batch digestion;



iii) leach-bed or sequencing batch process; iv) wet continuous digestion; and v) multi-stage wet digestion.

d) Anaerobic digestion results in the generation of;

i) biogas, which is rich in methane and can

be used to generate heat and/or electricity;

ii) fibre, (or digestate) which is nutrient rich

and can potentially be used as a soil conditioner.

Article III General Design and Operational Provisions

a) Any biological process can only act on biodegradable materials. Therefore any biological treatment process can only degrade either source segregated materials or those mechanically separated from a mixed waste stream into an organic rich fraction, such as mechanical biological treatment (MBT) processes. b) The provisions in this Standard therefore apply to biodegradable waste which has been previously segregated from other waste streams or separated following MBT.

c) The provisions in this Standard are generic for all biological treatment processes detailed in Part II of this Standard, unless otherwise stated. d) Where risk assessments and investigations identify that a specific provision or requirement is required then this justification will be taken into account during the Authorisation Process. The minimum information required for authorisation purposes is outlined in Appendix A in the Pre-Design Report Requirements for Authorisation.

1) Environmental Assessment

a) An Environmental Assessment will be required prior to the development of a biological treatment facility. This will be necessary to gain a thorough understanding of the environment where the facility is to be sited in order to design the facility to minimise impacts on the environment. b) As a minimum requirement the Environmental Assessment should include the items outlined in Appendix B.

2) Site Location

a) When locating a biological treatment facility consideration must be given to the following;

i) distance from the site boundary to sensitive

receptors such as residential properties,

recreation areas, coastal water resources and agricultural areas;

ii) presence of groundwater, surface water,

coastal water or nature conservation zones;

iii) geological and hydrogeological conditions underlying the site; and

iv) other undetermined local factors which

could be impacted by a proposed biological treatment facility and which will be identified at the local level during the Environmental Assessment.

b) Windrow and aerated static pile composting facilities must be sited at a remote location so as to provide a large buffer zone between the composting facility and any local residents. Other considerations that must be taken into account for the site location of a composting facility include the following;

i) potential for release of contaminants to

surface and ground waters; ii) potential for airborne dissemination of

contaminants (dust, litter, spores); iii) distance from where feedstock

materials were generated to the compost facility;

iv) distance to compost markets; v) distance to the facility; vi) traffic patterns/roads to and from the

facility;

vii) buffer zones for visual/noise screening and odour dilution;

viii) availability of appropriate utilities;

ix) appropriate soil types and

geotechnical conditions; x) drainage patterns; xi) flood hazard; xii) past ownership and usage; xiii) zoning limitations; xiv) room for future expansion of the

facility; xv) anticipated growth and development

near the facility.

c) The likely impacts of sewage treatment works are those from offensive odours, flies, as well as visual intrusion. Therefore, sewage treatment works need to be relatively remote from residential areas and located on the edge of settlements, with a site specific limit ranging from a minimum of 25 metres



to 400 metres. This will vary according to the type of processes carried out, the size of works, industrial effluents involved, land use around the site, any anticipated extensions and site topography.

3) Site Specific Design Considerations

a) Site considerations are also important throughout the design stage as no two sites will be identical even though they may be developed for the same type of biological treatment process. b) All biological treatment facilities must be designed with the desire for the least possible local impact and where possible they must blend in with the local surroundings. c) Site factors which affect biological treatment design include (but are not limited to);

i) topography;

ii) size and shape of the property area;

iii) subsurface geological and hydrogeological

conditions;

iv) surrounding land use;

v) local ecological aspects.

d) A detailed pre-construction plan must be provided to the Competent Agency. Details of the requirements for this plan are provided in Appendix A in the Pre-Design Report Requirements for Authorisation. e) A new biological treatment facility must not be established by any person, nor an increase in the volume at an existing facility be exercised, unless a written report has been prepared in accordance with Appendix A.

4) Site Layout

a) Biological treatment facilities must be designed to;

i) minimise potential environmental impacts;

ii) minimise health and safety risks for

operators and the public;

iii) encourage waste recovery;

iv) use onsite resources efficiently.

b) To assist in meeting these requirements a detailed site layout plan must be provided to the Competent Agency as part of the initial Authorisation Process prior to the development of the facility to provide evidence that key concerns have been considered and addressed prior to the development works.

c) On large biological treatment facilities, where waste is delivered by waste transporters or the public, a gatehouse is to be provided at the entrance to the site or at a suitable point which cannot be by-passed by waste transporters when travelling to the facility. Waste transporters must verify their waste deliveries in line with the Waste Tracking requirements as set out in the Waste Regulatory Control and Compliance Standard.

d) A number of facilities should be provided at the gatehouse to provide the attendant with the best practicable opportunity to confirm the acceptability of incoming wastes including;

i) a viewing platform which allows a view of

the contents of incoming lorries;

ii) elevated mirrors or CCTV cameras which can be used to scrutinise incoming loads.

e) A weighbridge must be installed at facilities treating or disposing of solid wastes to facilitate accurate record keeping for all necessary administrative and regulatory purposes. The weighbridge should be calibrated at least annually to confirm the accuracy of records.

Article IV Site Infrastructure Requirements

1) Roads and Internal Pavements

a) Local infrastructure must be able to sustain the operation of a biological treatment facility. The capacity of the road network to cope safely with any increased traffic load and with a minimum of disturbance to the local community must be examined as part of the pre-development requirements. b) The preferred transportation route to the biological treatment facility from the source of the waste or other TSD Facility must minimise the transport of waste through residential and other sensitive areas. This consideration may influence the placement of the entrance to the facility. c) Access to the site will form a mixture of permanent roads from the main highway. Consideration must be given to the facilitys requirements for permanent roads within the site boundary, especially on larger sites.

d) Permanent roads must be designed with due regard to the estimated volume of traffic. Where possible two lane traffic, (minimum total road width of 7.5 metres), should be provided to allow efficient entrance and exit from the site.

e) Permanent roads and yard areas must be constructed of ground supported reinforced concrete to a specification and depth capable of withstanding the rigors of large goods vehicle traffic over a



prolonged period, being easily cleaned to reduce mud and debris and coping with surface water arisings. f) Impermeable pavements must be provided in relation to the waste reception and storage areas to provide containment of any drainage or liquids generated within those areas. g) Specifications for the design and construction of these areas must ensure that the surface provides an impermeable, durable and easily maintained surface capable of preventing the transmission of any fluids through the pavement, or any joints within the pavement and ensuring the collection of any fluids into the sealed drainage system (where required).

h) The surfaces must be inspected at monthly intervals throughout the operational life of the facility and a record kept of the results of each inspection. i) In the event that action becomes necessary to maintain the cleanliness of these areas, the surface must be cleaned by any manual or mechanical means available to the site management. Cleaning may include, but not be limited to; hosing down, manually sweeping or shovelling, or mechanical sweepers. j) All necessary repairs will be made to any defects in the surface to ensure that it remains even, does not become rutted or subject to differential settlement and remains free draining and free from standing water. k) The external roads and paved yard areas will be constructed to provide an even surface that falls to ensure that drainage is directed towards the surface water drainage systems.

2) Surface Water Drainage

a) Surface water caused by run off of entrained water from the waste mass or by storm water events must be adequately controlled through the construction of interlinked drainage channels across the site between the operating areas and the surrounding areas of the site.

b) The design of the drainage system must be taken into account pre-development.

c) Surface water drainage must be discharged via an interceptor into a runoff water attenuation lagoon.

d) Any solids or oils collected in the interceptor must be removed at appropriate intervals to maintain the capacity of the solids interceptor and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.

e) The drainage systems must be inspected at annual intervals throughout the operational life of the facility to ensure their integrity.

f) The solids interceptor must be inspected at monthly intervals and will be subject to periodic maintenance to remove any accumulated silt and maintain capacity.

3) Utilities and Facilities

a) Electricity, water, sanitation and communications facilities must be provided at all biological treatment facilities to ensure the health and safety of on-site personnel, and to enable control of operations on site (such as dust control, vehicle washing and fire fighting). b) As a minimum, temporary structures must be located on site providing accommodation to on site personnel. Such structures must be designed to provide;

i) office space for general site management

duties and records storage;

ii) sanitation facilities for site staff and visitors;

iii) storage space for site equipment and for maintenance purposes;

iv) first Aid area, fully stocked for minor

accidents.

c) All structures must be located in a suitable area of the site to allow control of day to day activities whilst also taking account of health and safety aspects.

4) Fencing and Security

a) A fence must be constructed around the perimeter of the biological treatment facility to;

i) reduce onsite trespass;

ii) provide a screen for the biological treatment

facility;

iii) delineate the property lines;

iv) provide a control for any litter blow.

b) Fences must be a minimum of 2 metres tall around the entire perimeter of the site, with lockable gates provided at the site entrance. Appropriate signage to discourage trespassers must be erected at the site entrance. c) Maintenance and inspection of the site fencing and gates along the site boundary must be undertaken on a routine basis and temporary repairs will be implemented either upon identification during the inspection or by the end of the day that the defect is found. A note of the inspection and repairs will be kept on site and a record kept of the results of each inspection.



d) Permanent repairs to the fencing and gates must be completed within seven working days and a note will be made in the site diary to this effect.

5) Site Identification Board

a) An identification board of durable material and approximate size 1 metre by 1 metre must be erected and maintained in a prominent position at the site entrance. The board must display the following information;

i) site name and address;

ii) operator name;

iii) waste management licence number;

iv) emergency contact name and telephone number;

v) days and hours site is open to receive

waste;

vi) the words NO UNAUTHORISED TIPPING. Article V Biological Treatment Design Requirements

a) The actual plant design and configuration of biological treatment facilities will differ considerably between technology providers and the process employed. Provisions relating to specific biological treatment facilities must be met in addition to generic operational considerations which are applicable to all types of biological treatment facilities.

b) Generic design considerations applicable to all biological treatment plants include the following;

i) visual impact;

ii) size Considerations;

iii) construction quality assurance;

iv) emission controls;

v) water design controls.

1) Visual Impact

a) Intrusive features can include weighbridges, chimney stacks, office accommodation, skip storage areas, fixed plant, operational and tipping areas and litter-trap fencing. Visual intrusion can be substantially reduced by careful site design particularly by consideration of the effect of the development on the skyline. Visual intrusion can also be reduced by taking account of existing natural screening features and local topography in the site design.

b) The visual impact of plant, buildings and storage areas can be reduced by grouping them together or, where possible, placing them in excavated areas or upon low-lying land. Appropriate external cladding and colour of equipment, together with regular maintenance, can also help.

c) The following conditions must be taken into account to ensure all plant, buildings and storage areas are;

i) located in such a position as to minimise impact on adjacent land;

ii) where practicable, grouped together to

prevent the creation of an unsightly sprawl of development and to aid their screening;

iii) kept as low as practicable to minimise

visual intrusion; iv) of appropriate colour and cladding or

otherwise suitable treated to reduce their visual impact;

v) satisfactorily maintained to preserve

their external appearance.

a) Visual intrusion issues must be dealt with on a site specific basis and the following items must be considered;

i) direct effect on landscape by removal of items such as trees or undertaking major earthworks;

ii) site setting; is the site close to listed

buildings, conservation areas or sensitive viewpoints;

iii) existing large buildings and structures in

the area; iv) the potential of a stack associated with

some air clean-up systems for mixed waste processing operations may impact on visual intrusion;

v) use of screening features such as trees,

hedges and banks; vi) the number of vehicles accessing the site

and their frequency.

b) Many of biological treatment plants are housed in 'warehouse' type clad steel buildings, however use of good design techniques must be considered to help minimise visual intrusion.

2) Plant Size Considerations

a) Biological treatment plants can be built for a wide range of capacities. The chosen scale will reflect the



tonnage necessary to meet local waste strategy targets and make the facility profitable within the conditions of the contract. b) Most biological treatment facilities in this context will be associated with MBT plant and the capacities of which may range anywhere from 15,000 tonnes per annum to 500,000 tonnes per annum. c) The scale of the biological process must take into account the total material throughput and the residence time of the material in the biological process. In general anaerobic digestion processes require shorter residence times and so are smaller in scale. However, often anaerobic digestion facilities will need to be followed by an aerobic (composting) process to complete stabilisation and dry the digestate. d) The parameters detailed in Table 1 must be taken into consideration during the design stage of a biological treatment plant and in deciding site location and infrastructure requirements. Table 1: Biological Treatment Facility Design Parameters

Family Type Aerobic (Composting) Processes

Anaerobic (Biogas) Processes

Capacity 000 t/yr

Up to 250 Up to 250

Buildings m2/t/yr 0.05 to 0.1 0.05 to 0.1

Vessels/Building Height

8 to 20m* 8 to 25m**

* Taller buildings/vessels indicated are for vertical composting technology ** Lower building/vessels indicated are for horizontal digesters

e) The size of a compost site will depend on the composting system selected. For example, an in-vessel system requires less land space than a static pile or windrow system. Site size will also depend on the amount of storage that will be provided. At a minimum, four months of storage space must be available at the site.

3) Construction Quality Assurance (CQA)

a) The technical specifications for all aspects of engineered containment and drainage must be derived from engineering and environmental risk assessments and will ensure all pollution prevention and control measures will be designed to meet with best practice.

b) All aspects of the construction of engineered containment and drainage will be submitted to the Competent Agency for approval prior to the commencement of the construction works. c) All aspects of the construction of engineered containment and drainage shall be subject to Construction Quality Assurance, carried out by an independent organisation, to ensure construction is compliant with the required technical specification as laid out in the Construction Quality Assurance Plan.

d) The CQA plan must be able to verify;

i) that materials used comply with site specific

specifications;

ii) that the method of construction and installation is appropriate and design requirements have been met.

c) The CQA plan must contain the;

i) material and construction specifications laid

out for the proposed buildings and pavement areas;

ii) testing methods used to confirm

compliance;

iii) testing frequency;

iv) corrective action to be taken where necessary;

v) appropriate documentation procedures

which outline what has been done.

d) The CQA must be provided for:

i) all elements of basal containment engineering, including internal floor slabs, external pavement areas and bunded areas;

ii) surface water and groundwater

management systems.

e) The production of the CQA plan, and all testing and reporting must be completed under the control of a suitably qualified Chartered Engineer. On completion, a validation report must be produced and submitted to the Competent Agency which must include;

i) demonstration of CQA compliance

throughout the construction period;

ii) justifications for any changes or deviations from the agreed plan;

iii) the results of all testing - this must include

the records of any failed tests with a written explanation, and details of the remedial action taken, referenced to the appropriate secondary testing;



iv) plans showing the location of all tests;

v) "As-built" plans and sections of the works;

vi) copies of the site engineers daily records;

vii) records of any problems or non-

compliances and the solution applied;

viii) any other site specific information considered relevant to proving the integrity of the facility construction.

4) Emission Controls

a) The primary emissions from biological treatment plants are;

i) emissions to air; ii) the limited potential for discharges to

water by leachate; iii) land impacts from the application of soil

conditioners. b) Design measures must be put in place to minimise the nuisance arising from the biological treatment plant in relation to emissions of dust and odour.

c) All of the potential impacts of a biological treatment plant must be identified during conceptual model development and refined during the Authorisation Process. Detailed measures to mitigate the impacts must be included in the plant design and set out in the Working Plan. d) As part of the Working Plan an Odour Management Plan must be developed and maintained including;

i) control measures to prevent or control

odour;

ii) demonstration/justification that there will not be an odour problem under normal conditions;

iii) a description or copy of any conditions or

limits put in place by the Competent Agency which relate to the prevention or minimisation of odour;

iv) identification of the actions to be taken in

the event of abnormal events or conditions which might lead to odour, or potential odour problems;

v) an understanding of the impact in the event

of abnormal events or conditions; vi) monitoring undertaken;

vii) communication with local residents if an odour problem arises or is likely to arise.

e) Design controls must be in place to control bio-aerosol emissions. Bio-aerosols are more associated with the agitation of dry materials. However, emissions can be controlled through the use of enclosed vessels, and negative pressure within buildings. Most or all of such emissions from a biological treatment facility should be mostly absorbed by the odour treatment systems. f) Gaseous emissions from in-vessel composting systems consist predominantly of;

i) carbon dioxide; ii) water vapour; iii) potentially small quantities of ammonia; iv) volatile organic compounds; v) particulates; vi) bio-aerosols such as fungi, bacteria,

actinomycetes, endotoxin, mycotoxins and glucans.

5) Wastewater Design Controls

a) The release of potentially harmful chemicals into surface and/or ground water is only likely where there is uncontrolled leachate and/or run off from the working areas contaminated with waste materials. b) Biological treatment facilities must be designed to incorporate tight control measures of such emissions through;

i) extensive impermeable surfaces; ii) drainage; iii) hygiene procedures.

c) Leachate generated during the composting process must be re-circulated within the process for in-vessel composting processes, having only a net liquid loss throughout the system. d) The following considerations must be taken into account when designing a biological treatment facility to ensure protection of surface and groundwater resources;

i) leachate management and monitoring systems;

ii) impermeable hardstanding where

waste is to be stored, handled or treated;

iii) measures to control diesel, oil or

chemical spillage;



iv) separate drainage systems for clean

and dirty site run-off.

Article VI - Operations

a) The actual plant operation of biological treatment facilities will differ considerably between technology providers and the process employed. Provisions in this Standard relating to specific biological treatment facilities must be met in addition to generic operational considerations which are applicable to all types of biological treatment facilities. b) Typical operational parameters for a biological treatment facility are detailed in Table 2 below: Table 2: Biological Treatment Facility Operational Parameters

Family Type Aerobic (Composting) Processes

Anaerobic (Biogas) Processes

Capacity 000 t/yr

0.1 to 0.8 0.1 to 0.8

Operational staff required per 1000 tonnes

0.5 to 1.0 0.2 to 0.4

Vehicle movements per tonne

0.1 to 0.3 0.1 to 0.3

Depends on the amount of automated materials handling ands nature of process Depends on the average payloads of delivery vehicles

1) Working Plan

a) A Site Specific Working Plan, required in accordance with the site specific waste management licence application must be developed and forwarded to the Competent Agency for review and agreement prior to operations commencing on the site. b) The Working Plan will constitute the documentary procedures which will be used to control all aspects of work on site. Issues to be considered and included within the Working Plan are outlined below in the following sections.

2) Waste Handling a) Waste delivered to the biological treatment facility by waste transporters must be managed in accordance with the requirements in the Waste Classification Standard, the Waste Handling and

Storage Standard and the Waste Regulatory Control and Compliance Standard. b) All labelling must be resilient enough to stay attached and legible throughout the whole time of storage at the installation. c) A daily inspection of the condition of containers and pallets must be undertaken and written records kept of these inspections. If a container is found to be damaged, leaking or in a state of deterioration, it must immediately be over-drummed or the contents transferred to another container or processed. d) Containers must be stored in such a manner that leaks and spillages could not escape over bunds/edge of the sealed drainage area. e) The operator of the biological treatment facility must take all necessary precautions concerning the delivery and reception of waste in order to prevent or to limit as far as practicable negative effects on the environment, in particular the pollution of air, soil, surface water and groundwater as well as odours and noise, and direct risks to human health.

3) Maintenance

a) As a minimum, effective maintenance systems must be employed on all aspects of the facility where failure could impact on the environment. There must be;

i) documented procedures to control

operations that may have an adverse impact on the environment;

ii) a defined procedure for identifying,

reviewing and prioritising items of plant for which a preventative maintenance regime is appropriate;

iii) documented procedures for monitoring

emissions or impacts;

iv) a planned preventative maintenance programme covering all plant, whose failure could lead to impact on the environment.

b) Routine testing and monitoring of the biological treatment facility must be carried out in order to maintain high-quality operation of the processes and prevent harmful emissions to the environment. At a minimum the following must be monitored where relevant to the particular type of biological process:

i) compost mass temperatures;

ii) oxygen concentrations in the compost

mass; iii) moisture content; iv) particle size;



v) maturity of the compost; vi) pH; vii) soluble salts; viii) ammonia; ix) organic and volatile materials content.

4) Treatment of Animal By-Products

a) Any biological treatment facility producing a stabilised organic output to land must meet the following operational requirements for processing animal by-products including putrescible waste containing meat.

Table 3: Minimum Operational Requirements for Biological Treatment of Animal By-Products

Anaerobic Digestion (one process stage below, plus storage)

Composting* (any two process stages listed below)

70C; 1 hour; max particle size 60mm

Enclosed reactor 70C for at least 1 hour with a maximum particle size of 60mm

57C; 5 hour; max particle size 50mm

Enclosed reactor 60C for at least 2 days with a maximum particle size of 400mm

At least 18 days storage (may be in the open)

Housed (if first stage) or open air (if second stage) turned piles. 60C; 2 days achieved 4 times consecutively, with a turning between each; max particle size of 400mm

* Two processing stages can be achieved in one reactor where an internal mixing process is used.

b) Premises must be enclosed from the point of waste reception until at least the completion of the first processing stage. c) The treatment facility must prevent access to animals and birds, which could act as potential pathogen vectors. d) Partially or fully treated material must not be contaminated with any material that has been treated to a lesser extent. e) There must be no way that any untreated or partially treated materials can by-pass the pasteurisation and storage stages within the system. f) To ensure all these process and hygiene standards are met, strict operating, monitoring, and hygiene procedures must be followed according to a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan. The HACCP plans must be developed and

verified through site checks and microbial analysis of samples.

5) Competence and Training

a) The Technical Competence and training of operatives involved in biological treatment facilities must be undertaken in accordance with the Waste Training and Assessment of Technical Competence of Operators Standard. b) Additional training must be provided to all staff working within the confines of the treatment facility with respect to;

i) health and Safety and the individual

responsibilities that all have for the safety of others;

ii) understanding of the environmental impacts

that their work could have and provision of instructions to assist in reducing these impacts.

c) Personnel at composting facilities must be trained so they understand all aspects of the composting process. Employees should appreciate the public relations impact the facility may have, and they should be taught to portray a positive image at all times. Employees should also understand the environmental impacts of the finished compost and liquid/gas release to the atmosphere.

6) Accident Plans a) An Accident Plan must be in place (reviewed at least once every three years, or in the event of an accident) which identifies;

i) the likelihood and consequence of

accidents; ii) actions to prevent accidents and mitigate

any consequences.

b) The Accident Plan will;

i) identify the potential on-site accident hazards;

ii) provide an assessment of the risks;

iii) identify necessary risk management

measures;

iv) specify the risk management measures that are used at the treatment facility;

v) include contingency actions to be

undertaken in the event of an accident to mitigate consequences.



7) Compliance Reporting

a) Written procedures must be in place for handling, investigating, communicating and reporting actual or potential non-compliance with operating procedures or emission limits. b) There must be written procedures for handling, investigating, communicating and reporting environmental complaints and implementation of appropriate actions. c) There must be written procedures for investigating incidents, (and near misses) including identifying suitable corrective action and follow up.

8) Site Security

a) The biological treatment facility must be secured to prevent free access to the site. b) The gates of the facility must be locked outside operating hours. c) Access to each facility must be controlled by systems to detect and discourage illegal dumping at the facility.

9) Noise

a) In addition to meeting all requirement of the National Noise standards, an operator must also observe the conditions in (b) (d) below. b) Measures must be taken to minimise the nuisance arising from the biological treatment facility in relation to noise pollution. c) Where noise issues are likely to be relevant, the Operator must provide information on the following;

i) the main sources of noise and vibration that

will fall within the installation and also on infrequent sources of noise and vibration;

ii) operating timescales of the treatment

facility;

iii) the nearest noise-sensitive sites;

iv) conditions/limits imposed under other regimes;

v) the local noise environment;

vi) any environmental noise measurement

surveys, modelling or any other noise measurements;

vii) any specific local issues and proposals for

improvements.

d) Where there are sensitive receptors present, a Noise Management Plan must be developed which provides details on how noise will be managed

within the site and the measures to be adopted to reduce those noise impacts.

10) Control of Air-borne Nuisance

a) Measures must be put in place to minimise the nuisance arising from the biological treatment facility in relation to;

i) emissions of dust;

ii) wind-blown materials;

iii) the formation of aerosols.

b) Site operations must have due regard to the need to control dirt originating from the site being dispersed onto public roads and the surrounding land. c) All of the potential impacts of a biological treatment facility must be identified during conceptual model development and refined during the Authorisation Process. Detailed measures to mitigate the impacts must be included in the design of the facility and set out in the Working Plan. d) As a minimum, procedures must be in place to deal with particulate matter arising from;

i) the placement of wastes;

ii) traffic on site roads;

iii) site preparation and restoration

activities;

iv) surface emissions;

v) carriage of dust/mud onto the highway.

e) Dust suppression must be provided including the availability of bowsers and water supplies. Leachate must not be used for dust suppression. f) Operators must be made aware of Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus naturally present in decaying organic matter. Spores from the fungus can cause health problems for some workers, particularly if conditions are dry and dusty. Workers susceptible to respiratory problems or with impaired immune systems are not good candidates for working in composting facilities.

11) Odour a) As one of the most conspicuous potential emissions of any biological treatment of biodegradable waste, odour needs extremely careful consideration. b) Offensive odours may be generated during the active stage of composting. Process air must be



routed through filters, deodorizers, or scrubbers before it is exhausted to the atmosphere. c) Operational measures must be put in place to minimise the nuisance arising from the biological treatment plant in relation to emissions of dust and odour which may be attributed to the following activities;

i) delivery of feedstock, which may have been stored for long periods, and/or contained in air-tight bags trapping odour build-up;

ii) feedstock shredding; iii) exhaust air from enclosed systems; iv) anaerobic conditions in composting

materials; v) untreated pools of leachate (nutrient-

rich high organic content liquids produced from decomposing materials, and run-off during rainfall);

vi) fresh and partially composted

materials that are left untreated without aeration for periods of time causing anaerobic decomposition; anaerobic conditions must therefore be kept to a minimum.

d) Dust and odour emissions must be minimised by performing all operations under controlled conditions indoors where practical, good working practices and effective management undertaken for dust suppression from vehicle movements. e) A regular odour impact assessment must be undertaken by the Operator. The impact assessment must cover a range of reasonably foreseeable odour generation and receptor exposure scenarios and the effect of different mitigation options.

12) Control of Pests, Vermin and Birds

a) Biological treatment facilities are unlikely to attract pests, vermin and birds. However, during hot weather it is possible that flies could accumulate, especially if they have been brought in during delivery of the waste. b) Effective housekeeping and on site management of tipping and storage areas is essential to minimise the risk from vermin and other pests. Where possible, waste heat from the process must be used to bring temperatures in fresh input waste to levels above which flies can live.

c) Insect infestations commonly arise from waste which has been awaiting collection for some time. Procedures must be put in place to prevent or limit the acceptance of such wastes. The Operator must

reduce the risk of infestation by prompt treatment of such wastes.

13) Control of Leaks and Spillages

a) Where spillages of dry wastes occur, these must be cleared by either manual or mechanical means, for example handpicking, sweeping or shovelling, depending on the size and location of the spillage. b) Minor spillages of liquid must be contained using spillage kits or any suitable readily available absorbent material. This material must be disposed of in a manner appropriate to the type of material absorbed. c) A record must be maintained in the site diary of any spillages so treated. d) In the event of a major spillage the site drains must be sealed off where possible and a specialist contractor brought on site to clear the spillage. e) The Competent Agency must be informed of any major spillage event and a record made in the site diary. f) Spillage kits and other emergency equipment must be stored in the appropriate areas of the site. The Competent Agency must be informed of the location and content of this equipment prior to the commencement of waste treatment operations at the site.

14) Fire Prevention and Control a) All fires on site must be treated as a potential emergency and dealt with accordingly. Fires may occur due to plant failure or combustible material within stored wastes or process products being ignited (potentially through vandalism). b) Small fires may, if possible, be safely brought under control using fire-fighting equipment present on site. c) In the event of a fire that cannot be easily or safely brought under control then the site Fire Emergency Procedure will be put into action. This procedure will be developed with the local Fire Authority and will be in place prior to any wastes being treated at the site. d) Fire fighting equipment of a suitable type shall be kept at appropriate locations as advised by the Company Health and Safety Department and/or the local Fire Authority. e) The locations of fire fighting equipment and materials will be detailed in the Fire Emergency Plan.



f) All fire fighting equipment must be kept in good condition, unobstructed and maintained to a standard as required by the local Fire Authority. g) Any fire arising on site must be reported to the Competent Agency as soon as possible, having due regard firstly to any steps necessary to tackle the fire and its immediate consequences. A record of the occurrence of a fire must also be maintained in the site diary, along with any actions taken. h) Following approval by the Fire Authority and/or site manager the residues from the fire will be disposed of accordingly at a suitable licensed waste management facility. i) Any contaminated water arising from fire fighting within the waste treatment building or bunded areas must be collected and disposed of to an appropriate facility.

Article VII Record Keeping

1) Waste Movement Records a) A record of the types and quantities (in tonnes) of wastes received at the site, and wastes/process products removed from the site must be maintained and kept in the site office. b) A summary of the types and quantities of wastes deposited at the site and waste residues removed from the site must be provided to the Competent Agency at an agreed frequency and in an agreed format.

2) Records of Significant Events a) The following significant events must be recorded, on site;

i) the start and finish of any construction and engineering works undertaken on site;

ii) start and finish of waste management

processes carried out on site;

iii) maintenance;

iv) breakdowns;

v) emergencies;

vi) problems with waste received and action taken;

vii) site inspections;

viii) attendance of technically competent

management on site;

ix) despatch of records to the Competent Agency;

x) severe weather conditions;

xi) complaints;

xii) pest or vermin incidents.

b) The Site Manager or nominated person must maintain a record of the above information in the site diary as required. c) The site diary must be kept in the site control office at all times and made available for inspection at all reasonable times by any officer of the Competent Agency.

3) Format of Records a) The terms Record, Log Book and Site Diary may be kept as, but not limited to;

i) hand generated log;

ii) computer generated hard copies;

iii) floppy Disc;

iv) on an unalterable disk or similar format.

4) Security of Records a) To ensure the security of records they must be housed in either locked containers or kept in offices that shall be locked when not attended.

5) Archiving of Records a) Copies of all records relating to wastes movements and product sales must be kept by the Site Manager for at least 2 years, before archiving.



The report must describe the design parameters of the biological treatment facility plant and must contain as a minimum details of the following:

(i) Legal details for ownership of the site (ii) An up to date plan and description of the site

and the area within 500 metres of the site that covers: a. all property and property boundaries b. all buildings, roads and utility corridors c. land contours, surface water drainage,

water bodies, rights-of-way and other easements,

d. forested areas, e. land uses and land use designations,

and f. property conditions not otherwise

covered in subclauses (a) to (e) (iii) A plan and description of the biological

treatment plant and process (iv) Details of the total waste disposal volume (v) A full hydrogeological assessment of the

suitability of the site that considers the geologic and hydrogeologic conditions of the site, the design of the site and the monitoring and contingency plans

(vi) A detailed assessment of the potential impacts on surface water features that may be caused by the site or operations at the site

(vii) Detailed plans, specifications and descriptions of the system for collecting, directing and discharging surface water, including details of any sediment control or other features and including construction, quality assurance and quality control procedures for the system components and system installation

(viii) Detailed plans, specifications and descriptions of monitoring facilities for air emissions, ground water and surface water

(ix) An assessment of potential noise impacts due to operations at the site and to local trucking related to operations at the site, including an evaluation of any proposed noise control measures

(x) An assessment of potential visual impacts on nearby properties due to the site and site operations

(xi) Detailed plans, specifications and descriptions of the buffer area and ancillary facilities, including any screening, landscaping, fencing, weigh scales, buildings, structures, access roads, internal roads, holding areas for cover material, holding areas for rejected waste or materials for recycling, and other holding areas

(xii) Detailed plans, specifications and descriptions of the contaminant attenuation zone, if one is necessary

(xiii) Contingency plans that can be implemented to control and dispose of emissions produced in a quantity greater than expected or with a quality worse than expected, including specifications and descriptions in sufficient detail to demonstrate the feasibility of the plans

(xiv) A site closure plan, including details of the proposed end use of the site, the appearance of the site after closure, revegetation, landscaping, the construction of new facilities, and the removal of existing facilities to facilitate closure, post-closure care and site end use

(xv) A summary of the main characteristics of the treatment plant, including the maximum daily quantity of waste that will be accepted for treatment, the estimated annual average quantity of waste that will be accepted for treatment, the area of the facility and land take, the total waste volume, the estimated waste treatment capacity in tonnes, and any subcategories of waste that are not expected to be received or that will not be accepted for treatment.

Appendix A

Pre-Design Report Requirements for Authorisation



An environmental assessment of the proposed biological treatment facility is required to gain a thorough understanding of the existing environment at the site in order to develop a sound treatment design. This assessment must examine the impact of the proposed treatment facility on the air, groundwater, surface water and noise environments, and should be based on at least two to three years of data. If, following an environmental assessment, the site is identified as unsuitable the proposal should not proceed any further. For the purposes of siting a treatment facility, an environmental assessment should contain:

(i) Meteorological data, including rainfall, monthly evaporation, seasonal wind strength and direction

(ii) Hydrogeological assessment in accordance with EPA Publication Hydrogeological Assessments (Groundwater Quality), which includes: a. local and regional geology b. spatial distribution of groundwater (local

and regional if watertable is artificially depressed)

c. depth to groundwater (current and after any rebound if the watertable is artificially depressed) and watertable elevation

d. groundwater gradient and flow direction e. description of groundwater interaction

with f. local surface waters g. aquifer physical properties:

i. permeability ii. aquifer thickness iii. saturated thickness iv. porosity.

h. aquifer chemical properties: i. mineralogy ii. cation exchange and sorption

capacity. i. groundwater quality (local and regional if

aquifer is likely to have been impacted on by previous activities)

j. beneficial uses of groundwater to be protected

k. groundwater use in the surrounding area l. predicted extent and degree of impacts

on groundwater quality during and after operation of the facility

m. verification that beneficial uses are not adversely impacted at the site, or at the boundary of an attenuation zone where designated.

(iii) Water Management, including: a. water balance for the site and estimated

volume of leachate to be generated b. leachate collection, storage facilities,

treatment and disposal

c. fire-fighting equipment and water supply d. wheel washes.

Appendix B

Environmental Assessment Requirements

En EnvStand11 Biological Treatment

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