The Water Pollution Rules 2001

( amended)
(as d d)

Overview of the Source Registration

and Permitting processes

Presented by: the Waste Water & GIS Unit,

Environmental Management Authority,
December 15, 2011
 The Water Pollution Rules, 2001
( amended)
(as d d)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

¾ Created under Sections 26, 48 and 52-54 of the

Environmental Management Act, Chapter 35:05 (EM
Act).
¾ The Water Pollution Rules and Water Pollution Fees
Regulations were amended in 2006.
¾ Rules became implementable on February 27th 2007.
 The Water Pollution Rules, 2001
(as amended)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Water Pollution Rules govern two distinct

activities:
ti iti

¾ Source Registration and

¾Permitting
 Source Registration

¾ 1st phase of the implementation of the Water

Pollution Rules.
Rules

¾ Anyone releasing or intending to release a water

pollutant into the environment is required to register
as a source of water pollution.
pollution.

¾ Rule 3(1)- states “For the purpose of these Rules , the

parameters or substances at the q
p quantity, condition or
concentration mentioned in the First Schedule are
water pollutants specific to Trinidad and Tobago.”
 Examples of Parameters in First Schedule
Parameters  or Substances Quantity, Condition or Concentration at 
which substances or parameter is defined 
as a pollutant

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) >15 mg/L

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) NIAA

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) > 60 mg/L

 Who MUST Register and When?

ANYONE releasing water pollutants at levels not within

pp y for Source
First Schedule of the Rules needs to apply
Registration.

¾ Rule 4 ((1)) A p
person who intends to release from a
registrable facility a water pollutant into the
environment is required to register with the Authority
forty five working (45) days prior to such release.
forty-five release
¾ Rule 4 (2) A person already in the process of
discharging water pollutants as defined in the Rules
from a registrable facility shall be required to register
 Who DOESN’T Need to Register?

Rule 6 :Exemptions from Registration are:

a)Operational releases from motor vehicles;

b)Releases from households except where such households

contain industrial or commercial facilities; or

c)Releases authorised by a competent governmental entity into

sewerage facilities
f iliti owned d or operated
t dbby such
h competent
t t
governmental entity
 Key Steps in Source Registration
Key Steps in Source Registration

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
(Form A)
Within 45 working days on commencement of Rule
for existing sources and for new sources 45 working
days prior to release

Within 10 working days

SCREENING,
Further Information ASSESSMENT & No Registration
Needed ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Certificate issued
(Form B) (below Schedule 1)

Within 10 working days

Yes Certificate issued

(Form C)
Certificate valid for 3 years and renew at
least 30 working days before expiration
date
Registered Facilities in T&T
Registered Facilities in T&T
 Permitting
¾ 2nd phase of the implementation of the Water Pollution Rules,
2001(as amended)

¾ A Water Pollution Permit is a licence that allows the Permittee

to continue operations,
operations whilst working towards compliance
with Second Schedule of the WPR

¾ Second Schedule of the WPR lists permissible levels of 29

parameters /substances for four (4) different receiving
environments

¾ Permit usually valid for 5 years in first instance

 Examples of Parameters in Second Schedule

Parameters or  Inland Surface  Coastal  Marine  Environmentally 

Substances Water Nearshore Offshore Sensitive Areas 
and/or 
Groundwater
TTotal 
t l 50 /L
50mg/L 150
150 mg/L
/L 200 /L
200mg/L 15 mg/L
/L
Suspended 
Solids (TSS)
Total Petroleum 
Total Petroleum 25 mg/L
25 mg/L 40 mg/L
40 mg/L 80 mg/L
80 mg/L No release
No release
Hydrocarbons 
(TPH)
Chemical  250 mg/L
g/ 250 mg/L
g/ 250 mg/L
g/ 60 mg/L
g/
Oxygen 
Demand (COD)
Keyy Steps
p In
Permitting
 Features of Permit
¾ Establishes where effluent discharges are allowed

¾ Establishes discharge levels for each pollutant and the

timeframe by which this must be achieved

¾ Establishes a monitoring programme for both effluent and

surrounding water quality

¾ May mandate Permittee to develop plans

lans to control and
reduce stormwater runoff

¾ Mandates Permittee to develop and implement Best

Management Practices
 Field Observations
Field Observations
UNACCEPTABLE! UNACCEPTABLE
 Best Management Practices
Best Management Practices
Spill Pallets for dispensing fluids
Spill Pallets for dispensing fluids Oil/water Separator
Oil/water Separator
 Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the fees?

A. Initial Application For Source Registration $1,000.00

Application for Renewal of Registration Certificate $500.00
Application for Permit $2,500.00
Annual Permit Fee (Initial Permit) $10,000.00
Application for Renewal of Permit $5 000 00
$5,000.00
Annual Permit Fee (Renewed Permit) $15,000.00
pp
Application for Changes
g After Grant of
Registration Certificate or Permit $1,000.00
 Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What are the penalties for breach of an environmental
requirement?

¾For an individual, $5,000 for each violation and, in the case of

continuing
co t u g o or recurrent
ecu e t violation,
o at o , $$1000
000 pe
per day for
o eac
each suc
such
instance until the violation is remedied or abated;

¾For a person other

¾F th than
th an individual,
i di id l $10,000
$10 000 for
f eachh violation
i l ti
and, in the case of continuing or recurrent violations, $5,000 per
day for each such instance until the violation is remedied or
abated.
b d Closure
Cl off the
h facility
f ili isi also
l possible.
ibl
Th k You!
Thank Y !
Contact Information:
Telephone: 628‐8042
Website: www.ema.co.tt
Website: www.ema.co.tt