Water Use
Supporting Guidance (WAT-SG-85)
Application of Standards to Thermal Discharges
Version: v1.0 Released: Feb 2011
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Copyright 2011 Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including (but not limited to) photocopying, recording or using any information storage and retrieval systems, without the express permission in writing of SEPA. Disclaimer Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this document, SEPA cannot accept and hereby expressly excludes all or any liability and gives no warranty, covenant or undertaking (whether express or implied) in respect of the fitness for purpose of, or any error, omission or discrepancy in, this document and reliance on contents hereof is entirely at the users own risk. Registered Trademarks All registered trademarks used in this document are used for reference purpose only. Other brand and product names maybe registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. Update Summary Version
v1.0
Description
First issue for Water Use reference using approved content from the following documents: [DRAFT SG Thermal Discharges WITMT Final]
Notes
References: Linked references to other documents have been disabled in this web version of the document. See the References section for details of all referenced documents. Printing the Document: This document is uncontrolled if printed and is only intended to be viewed online. If you do need to print the document, the best results are achieved using Booklet printing or else double-sided, Duplex (2-on-1) A4 printing (both four pages per A4 sheet). Always refer to the online document for accurate and up-to-date information.
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Table of Contents
1. Key Points .......................................................................................................... 4 2. Environmental Standards for Temperature......................................................... 5 3. Application of Standards..................................................................................... 7 3.1 3.2 New Discharges ....................................................................................... 7 Existing Discharges.................................................................................. 7
4. Regulatory Process Existing Discharges ......................................................... 8 4.1 4.2 Initial Assessment .................................................................................... 8 Licence Review Following Assessment Failure........................................ 8
References ........................................................................................................... 10
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1. Key Points
This document provides guidance on the application of environmental standards in relation to both existing and new thermal discharges.
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2. Environmental Standards for Temperature
The main legislative driver for controlling the impacts of thermal discharges has been the Freshwater Fish Directive. This Directive will be revoked by the Water Framework Directive in 2013. There are now WFD standards for temperature which SEPA is now using in classification and will now use in regulating discharges. The temperature requirements are expressed in three forms as explained below.
Absolute temperature requirement (see table 1)
For each class there is an absolute temperature standard applied as an annual 98%ile
Increase/decrease over/under ambient temperature (see Table 1)
A discharge should not increase the ambient temperature by more than 2C in waters of high ecological status or 3C in waters of good ecological status as a 98%ile at the edge of the mixing zone. These uplift values are to be used in regulation of discharges but are not used in classification. Release of water to rivers from the cold depths of reservoirs may result in reduced downstream river temperatures and adverse effects on ecology. It is proposed that a maximum allowable temperature drop be applied that mirrors the maximum uplift values. A step of 3C should be used for all cases except for waters of high ecological status. In this case a maximum allowable drop of 2C is proposed. Limits on the drop in temperature may also be needed for gasification plants at liquid gas terminals, where cold water may be discharged.
Lower Limit for Spawning
A review of the spawning temperatures of UK species indicates that generally, the existing standard in the Freshwater Fish Directive, a maximum 10C during the spawning season, should protect spawning of cool water species. No such limit should be applied to warm water species. This is not for use in classification but used, where appropriate, to regulate the operation of thermal discharges.
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Supporting Guidance (WAT-SG-85)
Table 1
Temperature Standards for Rivers High Good
Non23 Cypr. 28
Moderate
Non28 Cypr. 30 Non30
Poor
Cypr. 32
River Temperature Type River temperature (C) as an annual 98%ile standard Increase / decrease in temperature (C) in relation to the ambient river temperature, as an annual 98%ile standard
Non20
Cypr. 25
Note - these values should not be used for lakes, estuaries and coastal waters. Non- = Non-cyprinid, Cypr. = Cyprinid
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3. Application of Standards
All thermal discharges should be assessed immediately below the mixing zone.
3.1 New Discharges
Apply regulatory standards relevant to existing class of water body if High or Good Ecological Status to ensure no deterioration. For example for a noncyprinid watercourse, ensure no breach of 20C or 23C as an annual 98%ile, 2C or 3C as an annual 98%ile uplift from ambient temperature and 10C maximum during the breeding season. If existing status is less than good, apply discharge limits to meet good status. If a water body is at High status and the High/Good boundary temperature limit of 20C as a 98%ile would be breached by a proposed thermal discharge, this would be contrary to the WFD no deterioration requirement and discharge limits would have to be imposed to prevent this. The same would apply if the discharge would breach the 23C Good/Moderate boundary. Derogation tests in WAT-RM-34: Derogation Determination Adverse Impacts on the Water Environment could be applied. If the receiving water body is a water dependant Special Area of Conservation, follow SEPAs Natural Heritage Handbook guidance regarding Appropriate Assessments.
3.2 Existing Discharges
If classification standards are met for High or Good Ecological Status, no further action is required unless there is evidence of an ecological impact. If there is ecological damage as a result of the thermal discharge, use discharge limits and licence conditions to meet regulatory standards i.e. no breach of uplift standards and no breach of 10C during spawning and early emergence for salmon and trout. This is generally taken to be mid October to mid March but river systems vary and advice should be taken from the local Fisheries Trust or District Salmon Fishery Board staff and SEPA Fisheries Scientists. If classification standards are not met for Good Ecological Status, can the operator provide evidence of no ecological impact attributable to the thermal discharge? SEPA Fisheries Scientists can provide guidance on the evidence required for consideration as proof of no ecological impact. If no ecological impact, no further action. If still breaching the classification standard and ecological impact proven, tighten discharge limits further or look at cumulative impacts and review upstream thermal inputs.
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4. Regulatory Process Existing Discharges
4.1 Initial Assessment
Where thermal discharges are monitored the monitoring must include the receiving watercourse downstream of the mixing zone. Compliance with WFD temperature classification standard and no ecological impact shown by SEPA, no further action is required. If planned sampling shows temperature standard breached, give the option to operator to install continual monitoring (hourly, 7 days per week) to take advantage of the annual 98%ile standard for upper temperature limit and carry out fish studies to show if there is no impact. If compliance with the annual 98%ile classification standard and no ecological impact, no further action.
4.2 Licence Review Following Assessment Failure
Assuming continual monitoring installed upstream and downstream, assess periods of non-compliance with the environmental standards. Discuss licence review and likely variation to impose uplift standards on discharge with operator. Three stage process, over 3 cycles of RBMP if necessary: 1. Work with operator, for a low cost solution, to make operational changes to reduce peak temperatures eg when stills are driving; 2. Work with operator to consider technical improvements regarding capital investment to reduce peak temperatures eg heat recovery systems, cooling ponds, cooling towers (where step i does not work); 3. Where operator unwilling to take measures i and ii request necessary information from the operator to assess compliance with standard against derogation process as per WAT-RM-34: Derogation Determination - Adverse Impacts on the Water Environment and WATRM-41: SEPA Initiated Variations: Exemption Tests; this will be part of the SEPA initiated variation. Note that failure to meet the WFD temperature standard is a failure of the water body to meet Good Status; however WFD derogations may apply. The tests are set out in WAT-RM-34 / WAT-RM-41 and are based on whether meeting the standard is disproportionately expensive or technically feasible. In order for SEPA to properly assess this, the operator must also have shown that all practicable steps are taken to mitigate the adverse impact on the status of the body of water. Therefore the operator must submit information on the first 2 stages in their application to vary their licence.
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Regulatory Process Existing Discharges
Figure 1 Example process for an existing discharge to a good status watercourse
* Note: Ordinarily no further action is required unless additional information is available eg reports from District Salmon Fishery Board or Fisheries Trust indicating fish data problems. These may be caused by breaches of 10C limit during spawning/emergence or spikes in discharge temperatures not picked up during routine sampling and further investigations will be necessary. This may take the form of installation of continuous temperature monitoring.
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References
NOTE: Linked references to other documents have been disabled in this web version of the document.
See the Water >Guidance pages of the SEPA website for Guidance and other documentation (www.sepa.org.uk/water/water_regulation/guidance.aspx). All references to external documents are listed on this page along with an indicative URL to help locate the document. The full path is not provided as SEPA can not guarantee its future location.
Key Documents
WAT-RM-34: Derogation Determination - Adverse Impacts on the Water Environment WAT-RM-41: SEPA Initiated Variations: Exemption Tests Natural Heritage Handbook (SEPA Intranet, ID=2242) Freshwater Fish Directive 2006/44/EC (CELEX: 32006L0044)
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