The Environment Agency are currently undertaking a review of all Biowaste Treatment (Composting, Anaerobic Digestion, etc) Facilities across the country to ensure operators are running their sites in accordance with the new requirements stipulated within the Best Available Techniques (BAT) Conclusion for Waste Treatment (updated in August 2018). These reviews are being requested via a Regulation 61 notice: click here for further details.
This review applies to all, including bespoke, Biowaste installation permit holders and all existing facilities, which must operate in line with the new BAT standards and emission limits by 17th August 2020.
Areas covered by the new BAT requirements include the following:
- Ensuring that all bioaerosol monitoring is being undertaken in line with M9 monitoring standard;
- A requirement for a review of primary and secondary containment to be undertaken in line with CIRIA C736 by a qualified engineer;
- Amendments to permits for operators with generators that fall within the MCPD;
- Ensuring activities meet the new BAT conclusions for waste treatment.
It is understood that this will require a variation to all current installation permits (with charges, expected to be at the Normal Variation rate) with a date from which compliance with BAT conclusions and new permit conditions must be met.
If you have received a Section 61 letter from the Environment Agency and require support with responding to the review, please contact WRM on 01943 468 138.
As part of the works package, WRM will complete the following tasks:
- Response to the R61 Notification to include:
- Site visit to review site infrastructure and documentation.
- Response letter confirming response to each area identified within the notification.
- BAT Assessment:
- Detailed review of operating systems and site infrastructure in line with the 2018 BREF notice.
- Initial review of primary and secondary containment information and condition (Please note, this is only the first stage with a detailed report required and signed by a suitably qualified engineer).
