S.I. No. 55/1986 - Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, (Control of Hexachlorocyclohexane and Mercury Discharges) Regulations, 1986.

1. Chemical industries using mercury catalysts.

A.

Average concentration of mercury expressed as milligrams of mercury per litre of effluent discharged—

(a) maximum monthly

0.1

0.05

(b) maximum daily

0.2

0.1

B.

— in the production of vinyl chloride

Discharge of mercury expressed as grams per tonne of installed vinyl chloride production capacity—

(a) maximum monthly

0.2

0.1

(b) maximum daily

0.4

0.2

— in other processes

Discharge of mercury expressed as grams per kilogram of mercury processed—

(a) maximum monthly

10

5

(b) maximum daily

20

10

2. Manufacture of mercury catalysts used in the production of vinyl chloride

A.

Average concentration of mercury expressed as milligrams of mercury per litre of effluent discharged—

(a) maximum monthly

0.1

0.05

(b) maximum daily

0.2

0.1

B.

Discharge of mercury expressed as grams per kilogram of mercury processed—

(a) maximum monthly

1.4

0.7

(b) maximum daily

2.8

1.4

3. Manufacture of organic and non-organic mercury compounds (except for products referred to in industrial sector 2)

A.

Average concentration of mercury expressed as milligrams of mercury per litre of effluent discharged—

(a) maximum monthly

0.1

0.05

(b) maximum daily

0.2

0.1

B.

Discharge of mercury expressed as grams per kilogram of mercury processed—

(a) maximum monthly

0.1

0.05

(b) maximum daily

0.2

0.1

4. Manufacture of primary batteries containing mercury

A.

Average concentration of mercury expressed as milligrams of mercury per litre of effluent discharged—

(a) maximum monthly

0.1

0.05

(b) maximum daily

0.2

0.1

B.

Discharge of mercury expressed as grams per kilogram of mercury processed—

(a) maximum monthly

0.05

0.03

(b) maximum daily

0.1

0.06

5. Non-ferrous metal industry

Average concentration of mercury expressed as milligrams of mercury per litre of effluent discharged—

(a) maximum monthly

0.1

0.05

(b) maximum daily

0.2

0.1

6. Plants for the treatment of toxic wastes containing mercury

Average concentration of mercury expressed as milligrams of mercury per litre of effluent discharged—

(a) maximum monthly

0.1

0.05

(b) maximum daily

0.2

0.1

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for the Environment

this 5th day of March, 1986.

JOHN BOLAND,

Minister for the Environment.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Regulations prescribe quality standards to be applied by local and sanitary authorities when licensing discharges of effluents containing hexachlorocyclohexane or mercury to waters or to sewers under

Sections 4

and

16

of the

Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977

. The Regulations give effect to Council Directive No. 84/491/EEC of 9th October, 1984 (O.J. No. L274/11, 17th October, 1984) on hexachlorocyclohexane discharges and Council Directive No. 84/156/EEC of 8th March, 1984 (O.J. No. L74/49, 17th March, 1984) on mercury discharges by sectors other than the chlor-alkali electrolysis industry.

7. A local authority or sanitary authority shall review a licence in respect of trade effluent referred to in article 4 and 5 at least every four years.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Quality Standards for Discharges of HCH

Industrial Sector

Unit of Measurement

Quality Standards to be complied with from

1 April 1986

1 April 1988

S.I. No. 55 of 1986.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (WATER POLLUTION) ACT, 1977, (CONTROL OF HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE AND MERCURY DISCHARGES) REGULATIONS, 1986.

The Minister for the Environment in exercise of the powers conferred on him by

sections 6

,

7

,

17

,

19

,

26

and

30

of the

Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977

(No. 1 of 1977), after consultation with the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism and the Water Pollution Advisory Council, hereby makes the following Regulations:—

PART I PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL