Regulations

EUROPEAN

Council Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste-water treatment was adopted on 21 May 1991.

Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources.

The Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) provides in its Article 5 that MS must set values applicable to water intended for human consumption for the parameters set out in Annex I (these include microbiological and chemical parameters); a Member State may set values for additional parameters when required to protect human health within its national territory or part of it. Annex I also lays down ‘indicator parameters’, whose values need to be fixed only for monitoring purposes and for the fulfilment of the obligations relating to remedial action and restrictions in use. The Directive is currently being revised; a risk-based approach is being considered as part of this revision.

The Environmental Quality Standards Directive (2008/105/EC, as amended), daughter directive of the WFD, lays down the environmental quality standards that MS must apply for those substances listed on the priority substances list.

The Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) lays down specific parameters (intestinal enterococci and E. coli) which must be monitored to ensure the quality of all bathing waters.

The Freshwater Fish Directive (2006/44/EC) determines physical and chemical parameters applying to designated salmonid and cyprinid waters (Annex I). MS must set values for these parameters, Annex I including both guide and mandatory values.

The Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) requires the establishment of flood risk management plans (Article 7 and Annex). The Annex lists the key components of the plans and key aspects of their implementation.

Council Directive 86/278/EEC of 12 June 1986 on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture.

EN REGULATION

Wastewater treatment plant

EN 12566 – Small wastewater treatment systems for up to 50 PT refers to a set of European standards which specify the general requirements for packaged and/or site assembled wastewater treatment plants used for domestic wastewater treatment for up to 50 PT (population total).

EN 12255 – Wastewater treatment plants refers to a set of European standards which specify the general requirements for structures and equipment that relate to wastewater treatment plants for a total population of more than 50 PT (population total). This standard, however, does not include the design of a treatment processes itself.

Separator for light liquids

EN 858-1 – Separator systems for light liquids (e.g. oil and petrol). Principles of product design, performance and testing, marking and quality control.

EN 858-2 – Separator systems for light liquids (e.g. oil and petrol). Selection of nominal size, installation, operation and maintenance.

Grase trap

EN 1825-1 – Grease separators. Principles of design, performance and testing, marking and quality control.

EN 1825-2 – Grease separators. Selection of nominal size, installation, operation and maintenance.

Lifting station

EN 12050-1 – Wastewater lifting plants for buildings and sites. Lifting plants for wastewater containing faecal matter.

EN 12050-2 – Wastewater lifting plants for buildings and sites. Lifting plants for faecal-free wastewater.

EN 12050-3:2015 – Wastewater lifting plants for buildings and sites – Part 3: Lifting plants for limited applications.

EN 12050-4:2015 – Wastewater lifting plants for buildings and sites – Part 4: Non-return valves for faecal-free wastewater and wastewater containing faecal matter.