If your consent to discharge permit requires you to monitor the makeup of your trade effluent, you will need to conduct wastewater sampling. Read on to learn what wastewater samplers are, why we use them and how they work.
What are wastewater samplers and who needs to use them?
Wastewater samplers are designed to automatically collect samples of wastewater or trade effluent at regular pre-programmed intervals.
Certain business which produce liquid waste (trade effluent) as part of their manufacturing process are required by law to have a consent to discharge permit. This is because water companies need to understand the contents and chemical makeup of any waste which discharges to its waterways to ensure it does not cause harm to people or the environment, and also that their treatment plants can handle the volume being produced.
The majority of business which produce wastewater will need a consent to discharge permit to do so, with the exception of residential homes, surgeries and clinics, grocery retailers, food outlets (e.g. restaurants), office buildings and hairdressers.
Your permit will outline conditions your business will need to adhere to, and it’s likely this will include limits for the concentration of solid particulates and organic matter and/or pH levels. In order to prove you are staying within these limits, you will need to undertake regular sampling of your trade effluent.
The easiest and most accurate way to do this is by using an automatic wastewater sampler.
How do wastewater samplers work?
Inside a SIRIS refrigerated wastewater sampler unit, you will find between two and 24 sample collection bottles. The number of bottles you use will depend on your site’s individual requirements, and we will be able to help you understand the best configuration for you.
The sampler unit will be connected to your flow measurement system – we offer both vacuum and in-line options to suit above and below ground applications – and will suck wastewater in via a hose at pre-programmed intervals. A mechanical distribution arm rotates between the bottles to distribute the samples.
Data
Keeping on top of the data from your wastewater sampler is essential to make sure you’re complying with your consent to discharge permit. Wastewater systems are often situated in remote areas and are unlikely to be permanently monitored. At SIRIS, we offer a unique bespoke data monitoring system that can be installed alongside your wastewater sampler.
This is a useful tool as it can alert you to any anomalies – such as a failed sample – without the unit needing to be attended by personnel.
Talk to the experts
Our team of experts have years’ of experience in specifying and installing wastewater systems to suit individual customer needs. We encourage you to get in touch to find out how we can help with your unique requirements on hello@siris.co.uk