Wastewater Regulations &

Quality Standards Review

2016 Consultation

2 November 2016 ER/T06/100

Document Prepared by Recipients of controlled copies
ER/T06/100 MS & TD Distribution list

Wastewater Regulations & Quality

Standards Review

2016 Consultation

ER/T06/100

2 November 2016

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
Page 1 of 11
 Executive Summary
Reasons for this consultation
1. This consultation seeks the views of the .1
Wastewater Regulation Review Panel
Members and concerned stakeholders on
possible amendments or additions to the
quality standards in the schedules of the
Recycled Water and Biosolids (RW&B) .
Regulations and the Trade Effluent Control
Regulations. .2

2. With the view that the new Non-drinking
Water Divisions are being considered to be
established in Abu Dhabi Distribution
Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution
Company (AADC) and is currently being
evaluated by teams from various entities
led by ADWEA; we would also welcome .
feedback on the RW&B Regulations in
general and any new suggestions specific
to the standards to reflect the new
proposed framework to assess the impact,
if any, on the new proposed changes.

Regulatory Quality Standards

3. The standards in the Regulations define the .3
microbiological, physical and chemical
requirements for recycled water, biosolids
and trade effluent. .
4. The Regulations mandated a review of the .4
standards in the Regulations at least once
every two years by the Panel. .
5. As part of this consultation, each Panel .5
Member and the consulted entities shall
review and recommend any changes to the
materials or substances in the schedules of .
the Regulations.
.6
6. The Panel Members and the consulted
entities shall consider the appropriateness .
of the standards to protect public health
and the environment. .7

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation
Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
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 .
7. The Panel Members and the consulted
entities shall consider whether the
standards are relevant, realistic and
measurable in Abu Dhabi.

New Non-Drinking Water Divisions

Impact on RW&B Regulations
8. The Panel Members and the consulted .8
entities shall review the Recycled Water &
Biosolids Regulations and its Guide and
outline the key issues associated with the
establishment of the new divisions
managing the supply of recycled water by .
ADDC and AADC.

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
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Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................... 5
Background .............................................................................................. 5
Purpose of this consultation ..................................................................... 5
The consultation steps ............................................................................. 5
How to respond ........................................................................................ 6

2. Regulatory quality standards......................................................... 7

Reviewing quality standards ..................................................................... 7
Panel review of standards ........................................................................ 8

3. Standards review ........................................................................ 10

Existing Standards ................................................................................. 10
Panel amendments or additions ............................................................. 10

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
Page 4 of 11
1. Introduction
Background
1.1 The Regulation and Supervision Bureau (The Bureau) launched the Trade Effluent
Control (TEC) and Recycled Water and Biosolids (RW&B) Regulations in June 2010.

1.2 These Regulations established a legal framework for the safe and economic collection
and treatment of trade effluent and disposal of recycled water and biosolids in the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

1.3 The Wastewater Regulations Review Panel (the Panel) was established to provide
advice and guidance to the Bureau on a range of issues relating to the implementation
and development of the Regulations.

1.4 Under Regulation 11.3 of the TEC Regulations and the RW&B Regulations, the Panel
has an obligation to review and suggest possible amendments to Schedules A and B of
both regulations every two years.

Purpose of this consultation

1.5 To gather the views of the Panel and consulted entities on possible amendments or
additions to the quality standards in the schedules of the TEC Regulations 2010 and the
RW&B Regulations 2010 or any part associated with the regulations and its Guide.

The consultation steps

1.6 The consultation will run from 3 to 6 months depending on the feedback and issues
provided.

1.7 Panel members and consulted entities are asked to review the regulations, guides and
schedules in the TEC Regulations and RW&B Regulations.

1.8 Any proposed additions or amendments must be supported by evidence.

1.9 Panel members and consulted entities should submit their proposals for amendments or
additions with supporting evidence by 30 November 2016. The Bureau will not consider
any recommendation submitted without evidence.

1.10 The Bureau will review and assess any amendments or additions proposed by the Panel
and will summarise all the proposed changes by 31 December 2016.

1.11 The Bureau will brief the Panel and consulted entities on the consultation findings and its
proposed next steps at the next Wastewater Review Panel meeting by mid of February
2017.

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

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MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
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How to respond
1.12 Formal written responses to this consultation must be received by 30 November 2016.

1.13 You should send any response to this consultation to H.E. Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi
Director General of Regulation and Supervision Bureau, P.O. Box 32800, Abu Dhabi,
UAE.

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

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MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
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2. Regulatory quality standards
Reviewing quality standards
2.1 The Bureau believes that regulation is a dynamic process and regular review of the legal
framework is important to encourage:

(a) the safe and economic management wastewater activities; and

(b) innovation in the sector.

2.2 In order to facilitate the regular review of the legal framework for wastewater activities,
the TEC and RW&B regulations established the Wastewater Regulations Review Panel
and mandated a review of the standards in the TEC and RW&B regulations at least once
every two years by the Panel.

Recycled Water & Biosolids Regulations 2010

2.3 Regulation 11.3 of the RW&B regulations requires the Panel and the consulted entities to
review Schedule A (recycled water quality) and Schedule B (biosolids quality) of the
regulations and recommend any additions or amendment to the Bureau.

2.4 Regulation 11.5 requires the Panel to review any advances in analytical methods and
systems for detecting and measuring substances identified in Schedules A and B.

Trade Effluent Control Regulations 2010

2.5 Regulation 11.3 of the TEC regulations requires the Panel and consulted entities to
review and recommend to the Bureau any additions or amendments to :

(a) Schedule A materials or substances which should be defined as Prohibited

Wastes;

(b) Schedule B materials or substances which should be defined as Restricted

Substances; and

(c) The maximum allowable concentrations of Restricted Substances in Schedule B.

(d) Any other amendments to the clause of the recycled water regulations and its
Guide.

2.6 Regulation 11.4 requires the Panel and consulted entities to review any advances in
analytical methods and systems for detecting and measuring substances identified in
Schedules A and B.

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
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Consulted entities & Panel review of standards
2.7 As part of this consultation each Panel member shall consider the following questions:

Recycled Water & Biosolids Regulations

Schedule A1
(a) Are the microbiological standards in Table A1.1 (A) appropriate to protect public
health?

(b) Are the sanitary parameters in Table A1.1 (A) appropriate to ensure the delivery
of recycled water suitable for reuse activities?

(c) Are there any other parameters which should be defined in the sanitary section of
Table A1.1 (A)?

Schedule A2
(a) Are the irrigation criteria in Schedule A2 for trace elements suitable for protecting
the environment?

Schedules A3 and A4
(a) Have there been any updates to Federal Law No (24) of 1999 for marine
discharges of recycled water referenced in Section A3?

(b) Given the changes to the Abu Dhabi EHSMS regulatory framework, what land
disposal quality standards should be referenced in Section A4?

Schedule B1, B2, B3 and B4

(a) Are the microbiological quality requirements in Table B1.1 (A) appropriate to
protect public health?

(b) Are the minimum sanitary quality requirements in Table B1.1 (A) appropriate to
ensure the delivery of biosolids suitable for reuse activities?

(c) Are the performance requirements in Table B2.1 (A) for biosolids stabilisation
appropriate?

(d) Have there been any updates in Federal or Emirate law or policy regarding the
discharge of biosolids to landfill or the environment which may affect Schedules
B1 or B4?

(e) Are there any clauses or items in the Regulations or the Guide of the Recycled
water are required to be amended? If any please list them.

Trade Effluent Control Regulations

(a) Are there any changes to Federal or Emirate law regarding wastes classified as
prohibited waste in Schedule A?

(b) Are there any other substances which should be classified as prohibited wastes
in Schedule A?

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
Page 8 of 11
 (c) Are the substances and maximum allowable concentrations defined in the
following tables appropriate?
(i) Table B1.1(A) General characteristics
(ii) Table B1.1(B) Inorganic compounds
(iii) Table B1.1(C) Organic substances
(iv) Table B1.1(D) Metals

(d) Are there any other substances which should be classified as restricted
substances?

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
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3. Standards review
Existing Standards
3.1 The standards in the TEC and RW&B Regulations define the microbiological, physical
and chemical requirements for recycled water, biosolids and trade effluent.

3.2 The standards in the first edition of the regulations were developed by following:

(a) guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO);

(b) precedents in UAE Federal and Abu Dhabi Emirate Law; and

(c) Reviewing a range of international frameworks.

3.3 The Bureau worked with governmental stakeholders and licensees to establish the
standards and had them scrutinised by an independent consultant as part of a
Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) in 2009.

Guiding principles for standard settings

3.4 The standards included in the first edition of the regulations were developed using five
guiding principles:

(a) is the standard realistic can the parameter be measured in Abu Dhabi by an
accredited laboratory;

(b) is the analysis affordable will the cost of measuring the parameter be in
proportion to the risks posed;

(c) can the standard be enforced can the parameter be measured with a degree of
accuracy and reliability that allows effective enforcement;

(d) can the parameter be readily measured are there laboratories employing
international recognised analysis methods to measure the parameter; and

(e) is the standard relevant to Abu Dhabi does the parameter directly relate to a
risk associated with the Abu Dhabi wastewater management chain.

Panel amendments or additions

3.5 Panel members should ensure that any recommendations to change standards are
evidence based and that the proposed standards meet the guiding principles set out in
section 3.4.

3.6 Panel members should ensure that any proposed amendments or additions are
supported by evidence justifying the change. This evidence may include:

(a) a reference to a change in federal or local law;

(b) a summary of developments in good international practice; and

(c) analytical data which indicates the scale risk and importance of the change

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
Page 10 of 11
3.7 Proposed changes must be submitted with details including the following:

(a) reference in existing regulations;

(b) existing standard and proposed standard;

(c) reason for proposed change; and

(d) summary of supporting evidence

Wastewater Regulations Quality Standards Review 2016 Consultation

Author ER/T06/100 Version Publication date Approved by
MS & TD 1.0 31 October 2016 MY & JS
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