FINAL
IC/30
February 2000
Summary of National Practices
concerning the Monitoring
of Waste Water Discharges

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Summary of National Practices concerning the
Monitoring of Waste Water Discharges
Introduction
The Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the Danube River
(Danube River Protection Convention) invites by its Article 9 (Monitoring Programmes) the
Contracting Parties ".... to develop joint or harmonised methods for monitoring and assess-
ment of waste water discharges including processing, evaluation and documentation of data
taking into account the branch-specific-approach of emission limitations;...."
The EMISSIONS EXPERT GROUP (EMIS/EG) of the International Commission for the Pro-
tection of the Danube River has included this topic in its working programme and has decided
at its 4th Meeting (Budapest, 30-31 March 1998) to evaluate the situation concerning the
monitoring of waste water discharges within the States of the Contracting Parties by means of
a questionnaire.
This document summarizes the filled-in questionnaires.
1. Status
All 12 countries which are now represented in the EMIS EXPERT GROUP have answered
the questionnaire (cited in the 'order of flow', from source to mouth):
Germany; Austria; Czech Republic; Slovak Republic; Hungary; Slovenia; Croatia;
Bosnia i Hercegovina; Bulgaria; Romania; Moldova; Ukraine.
The data represent the status in 1998 in the countries. For Bosnia i Hercegovina the given data
are related to the situation before 1991. Monitoring of waste water discharges has not yet been
established in Bosnia i Hercegovina after the war.
2.
Do regulations exist in your State that deal with the monitoring of waste water
discharges?
Generally regulations for monitoring of waste water discharges exist on different levels. Table
1 shows an overview.
It is obvious that in all countries regulations for monitoring of waste water discharges exist on
the national level.
For one country (Bosnia i Hercegovina) this is the only level on which regulations for moni-
toring of waste water discharges exist.
In the other countries the national regulations are often completed or specified on regional or
local level. In general this happens when the permit is issued or renewed.

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Table 1:
State
national
regional
local
discharge
(arranged in the di-
permit
rection of flow of
River Danube)
Germany
x1
x
-
x
Austria
x1
x
-
x
Czech Republic
x
-
-
x
Slovak Republic
x
-
-
x
Hungary
x
-
-
x
Slovenia
x
-
x
x2
Croatia
x
-
x
x
Bosnia i Hercegovina
x
-
-
-
Bulgaria
x
-
-
x
Romania
x
-
-
x
Moldova
x
-
-
x
Ukraine
x
-
-
x
1 For urban waste water treatment compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC)
has to be achieved
2 Issued by Ministry of Environment
The term 'regional' in Table 1 refers to its use in central Europe, i.e. a unit below the respective national scale,
but actually not only a location.
3. Municipal
Discharges
3.1
Parameters, frequency and duration of sampling in case of self-monitoring and
monitoring by authority
The parameters waste water volume, suspended solids, COD (TOC), BOD, the nitrogen pa-
rameters and total P are monitored in all countries on a regular basis.
The parameters AOX (Germany, Austria, Romania, Ukraine, the Czech Republic (starting
2001)), heavy metals and toxicity testing are generally only monitored by request on special
occasions, e.g. if there exists a strong influence of industrial waste waters which are dis-
charged via the sewer system into the municipal waste water treatment plant.
The Slovak Republic, Hungary, Romania and Moldova seem to monitor heavy metals (H,
RO, MD), toxicity (H, RO) and extractable organic solvents (SK,H) on a more regular basis
in self-monitoring. In Germany waste water treatment plants bigger than 100,000 p.e. have to
perform a bioaccumulation test (fish basin) once a year.
Self-monitoring is done more frequently than monitoring by authority. Small waste water
treatment plants (1,000 - 10,000 p.e.) are monitored at least monthly or weekly, bigger plants

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even weekly or daily. Germany states that total P and nitrogen parameters are monitored daily
respectively continuously at plants bigger than 100,000 p.e.
Self-monitoring regulations are established either in national or regional laws, in the permit or
in individual Cooperation Agreements (Hungary) between authority and dischargers.
Monitoring by authority is done in general 1 to 6 times per year (for Croatia, Bulgaria and
Romania 12 times in some cases) and depends on the size of the treatment plant.
Concerning the duration of sampling it was not possible to identify uniform standards in the
countries. Nevertheless for smaller waste water treatment plants a short duration period for
sampling (grab sampling or 2h-composite sampling) is favoured in general, while for bigger
plants 2h-to 24h-composite sampling is practised. This is certainly due to the increased use of
automatic samplers at bigger municipal waste water treatment plants.
Since monitoring by authorities includes travelling of the sampling staff to the location of dis-
charge, the duration of sampling by authority is smaller than by self-monitoring and does not
exceed 8 hours in general.
According to European Norms only grab sampling is foreseen for the parameter AOX. Waste
water volume is monitored continuously in general.
3.2 Who takes samples in self-monitoring and who in case of monitoring by authority?
In self-monitoring samples are usually taken by the staff of municipal waste water treatment
plants. In Austria, Hungary, the Czech and the Slovak Republic (for smaller treatment plants)
authorized or accredited (commercial) laboratories are often involved in sampling. In Roma-
nia samples are mostly taken by municipal water authorities.
In monitoring by authority samples are taken in general by the staff of the regional authority
for water management (in Bulgaria and Romania also by the local water authority). In Aus-
tria, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Slovenia there exists the possibility that accredited or
authorized (commercial) laboratories take the samples. The authorisation of the laboratory can
be issued by the Ministry of Environment or State Water Directorate (e.g. Croatia, Slovenia);
the authorized laboratory should be independent (Croatia).
3.3 Who analyses the samples in self-monitoring and who analyses in case of monitoring
by authority?
Which analysing methods are used?
In general in self-monitoring the staff of the municipal waste water treatment plant analyses
the samples. In Romania analysing is done by the municipal water authorities. In other coun-
tries (e.g. Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Bulgaria) accredited
(authorised) commercial laboratories are involved in analysing of the samples.
The authorisation for municipal plant laboratory or commercial laboratory is often issued by
the Ministry of the Environment (e.g. in Hungary and Slovenia). In Germany the municipal
plant laboratories are controlled by commercial laboratories 1-4 times per year. In monitoring

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by authority the samples are analysed in general by the laboratories of the regional authorities.
Mainly in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic accredited commercial laboratories play
a certain role in the analysing of samples. Often the laboratories of the state authorities have
also to be accredited or authorised.
Many countries use international standardised analysing methods (e.g. ISO, EN, DIN). Na-
tional standards are often in line with these international standards. In Bosnia i Hercegovina
American Standard Methods have been used.
In Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovenia the analysing methods are laid down particularly
in the national waste water regulations. In Romania, Slovenia and Germany sometimes simple
(but equivalent) analysing methods are used in self-monitoring.
3.4 Are samples stored for later cross-checking?
Time period for storing samples?
Usually samples are not stored in the countries for later cross-checking.
In Romania samples are stored for one month. In Bulgaria samples are stored if limit values
are exceeded. In Germany in self-monitoring for treatment plants bigger than 20,000 p.e.
samples are stored for at least 7 days. In Hungary laboratories store samples for repetition of
analysis for a period of time that is regulated in the National Standard. In Austria, the Czech
Republic and the Slovak Republic samples might be stored in special cases.
3.5 How often does authority (or do authorities) receive the results of self-monitoring?
In the majority of countries the authorities receive a report on self-monitoring from the mu-
nicipal treatment plant 1-12 times per year. In the other countries reports could be demanded
by the authority by request. The answers of the countries show the big variety of proceedings:
Germany:
Annual summary report for plants bigger than 1,000 p.e. is obligatory; by re-
quest all data at any time.
Austria:
Usually monthly report to the authority.
Czech R.:
River basin and water management authorities received the results of self-
monitoring twice a year. Since January 1, 1999, according to new Law No.
58, the Czech Inspectorate of Environment is established.
Slovak R:
River basin authorities receive the results of self-monitoring 1-2 times per
year. Water management authorities and the Slovak Water Inspectorate re-
ceive the results on the basis of their needs.
Hungary:
The authority gets the results of the self-monitoring with the frequency laid
down in the Cooperation Agreements. The usual frequencies are: monthly,
quarterly, twice a year.

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Slovenia:
Not required on a regular basis, but demanded by the authorities if there is a
special need.
Croatia:
This is regulated in the permit, usually 4-12 times per year depending
on waste water quantity and quality; not later than one month after analysis.
Bosnia i
Hercegovina:
Every three months.
Bulgaria:
Not on a regular basis but possible by demand.
Romania:
The results of self-monitoring are available for the water or environmental
authorities. The authorities receive results of sampling on special occasions.
Moldova:
Every three months.
Ukraine:
Regional authorities receive the results monthly.
4. Industrial
Discharges
4.1 What is the procedure to industrial discharges concerning frequency of sampling and
duration of sampling:
Distinguish between self-monitoring and monitoring by authority.
The system for monitoring of industrial discharges in the countries is similar to that of mu-
nicipal discharges.
Self-monitoring depends on the kind of industry and waste water treatment, the amount of
flow and the load of pollutants. The self-monitoring is in general regulated in the permit on
the basis of national regulations.
In Germany self-monitoring is regulated by regional laws and in the permit if necessary. In
Hungary self-monitoring is not compulsory throughout the country, only part of industry is
obliged to do self-monitoring, while in Croatia the self-monitoring data have to be sent to the
authority not later than one month after the analysis and in Germany the quality of self-
monitoring is inspected by authorities.
The frequency of sampling varies from several times per day (on-line measurements) up to 4
times per year. The duration of sampling in self-monitoring includes the whole range of dif-
ferent possibilities: 24h-composite-sampling, 8h-composite-sampling (Slovak Republic), 4h-
composite-sampling (Hungary), 2h-composite-sampling, grab sampling.
In monitoring by authorities authority laboratories or accredited commercial laboratories take
samples 1-4 times per year as an average (1-12 times per year in Romania and once per two
years in Bosnia i Hercegovina). The duration of sampling is favourably 2h-composite-
sampling or grab sampling.

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4.2 Which parameters are usually monitored in relevant discharges of the following sec-
tors?
Besides waste water flow and the pH-value the following parameters are monitored in the dif-
ferent sectors. These parameters are listed according to the number of naming by the coun-
tries. The parameters listed have been named by at least two countries.
1. Food Industry:
COD, BOD, NH4-H, fat, suspended solids, total P, total N, deter-
gents, total dissolved solids, AOX, hydrocarbons, phenols
2. Chemical Industry:
COD, BOD, Suspended solids, heavy metals, phenols, NH4-N,
total N, total P, total dissolved solids, toxicity tests, AOX, deter-
gents, hydrocarbons, oil
3. Pulp and Paper:
COD, suspended solids, BOD, NH4-N, total P, toxicity tests, total
dissolved solids, total N, heavy metals
4. Fertilizer Industry:
Total N, COD, BOD, total P, suspended solids, NH4-N, total dis-
solved solids
5. Mining industry:
Suspended solids, COD, heavy metals, toxicity tests, NH4-N,
phenols, non polar extractable substances
6. Iron and steel
Suspended solids, COD, heavy metals, Fe, hydrocarbons,
industry:
total dissolved solids, total P, AOX, oil, toxicity tests, phenols
7. Metal surface
Suspended solids, heavy metals, cyanide compounds, COD, NH4-N,
treatment:
toxicity tests, total N, total P, fluoride, nitrite, oil, AOX, sulphide, total
dissolved solids, free chlorine, volatile organic carbon, organic solvent
extract, Fe, salt content, detergents
8. Textile industry:
COD, BOD, suspended solids, heavy metals, salt content, total N,
NH4-N, total dissolved solids, total P, oil, hydrocarbons, colour,
AOX, sulphide, detergents
9. Leather industry:
COD, BOD, sulphide, chromium, total P, suspended solids, salt
content, AOX, toxicity tests, NH4-N, total N, detergents, organic
solvent extract
10. Agriculture:
COD, BOD, NH4-N, total P, suspended solids, total N, total dis-
solved solids, sulphides, detergents, phenols
11. Other industries:
Glass industry, uran mining and nuclear energy plants have been
named as relevant under this category.

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4.3 Who takes the samples in self-monitoring and who in case of monitoring by author-
ity?
The proceedings in the countries are in general the same as for the municipal discharges (see
answers to 3.2).
In Germany and Austria in monitoring by authority the possibility exists that authorised
(commercial) laboratories by order of the regional authority take samples while in Romania
this proceeding happens (sometimes) only for municipal discharges and also for industrial dis-
charges. It is supposed that in Bosnia i Hercegovina monitoring by authority was formerly
done by authorised laboratories.
4.4
Who analyses the samples in self-monitoring and who analyses in the case of moni-
toring by authority?
Which analysing methods are used?
The proceedings in the countries are in general the same as for municipal discharges (see an-
swers to 3.3).
In addition to laboratories of the regional authorities in Bulgaria, Austria and Germany ac-
credited (commercial) laboratories may analyse samples by order of the authorities.
4.5
Are samples stored for later cross-checking?
Time period for storing samples?
The proceedings in the countries are in general the same as for municipal discharges (see an-
swers to 3.4).
In Germany for industrial discharges samples are stored if more than 50m³/d is discharged.
In Bulgaria samples are stored not only in the case of exceeded limit values but also in the
case of contradictory laboratory results.
4.6
How often does authority (or do authorities) receive the results of self-monitoring?
The proceedings in the countries are in general the same as for municipal discharges (see an-
swers to 3.5).
In Germany an annual reporting is obligatory. In Austria the reporting shall be monthly,
yearly or by request. The circumstances are laid down in the permit. In Ukraine only the main
parameters have to be reported. In Bosnia i Hercegovina self-monitoring results were not
submitted to any authority.
4.7
Specify how dischargers are monitored which discharge into the sewer system.
Discharges of waste water into the public sewer system are monitored in all countries. One of
the main purposes of monitoring is to prevent overloading of the municipal waste water
treatment plants and to avoid the inflow of hazardous substances which can damage the puri-
fication process.

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In Germany easily biodegradable substances (e.g. from food industries) can be discharged ac-
cording to the rules of the municipality, which arranges also monitoring by authority (mu-
nicipality or accredited commercial laboratory) and self-monitoring. Monitoring is also the
basis for the calculation of the sewage charges.
For industrial waste waters including hazardous substances (e.g. heavy metals and AOX) an
additional discharge permit of the regional authority is needed. These discharges, which are
usually pretreated at the industrial plants are monitored according to No. 4.1 - 4.6.
In Austria large and relevant discharges into the sewer system are permitted, e.g. discharges
from chemical industry, iron and steel industry, metal surface treatment. The permit includes
obligations for self-monitoring. The self-monitoring is often accompanied by moni-toring by
a commercial laboratory.
Large and relevant discharges are usually monitored once a year (grab samples) by authority.
In the Czech Republic, all dischargers to the sewer system need a discharge permit issued by
the regional environmental authority. These permits have to respect the "Sewerage Ope-
rational Order (SOO)", which includes limit values. All discharges are monitored.
In the Slovak Republic discharges into the sewer system are based on the "Sewerage Order"
which establishes e.g. limit values for individual parameters. In case that the obligations in the
"Sewerage Order" are not met by the industrial discharge, the water management authority
intervenes.
In Hungary the discharge into the sewer system is regulated on a national level. The regula-
tion is similar to that for direct discharges.
Competent authority is the municipality, where the discharge occurs. Discharges into public
sewers are monitored by the laboratory of the municipal waste water treatment plant. Mini-
mum sampling frequency is twice a year. Cooperation agreements between municipal waste
water treatment plant and the industrial plant regulate the details of monitoring. Self-moni-
toring is not yet compulsory.
In Slovenia discharges into municipal waste water treatment plants are regulated on a national
and/or on a local level (national level is obligatory, local level could be more restrictive).
The regulations are in line with the answers 4.1 to 4.6.
In Croatia there is no difference to the monitoring procedure for industrial plants discharging
directly to waters.
In Bosnia i Hercegovina no regulations on national or regional level exist. On local level, mu-
nicipalities sometimes enforced regulations for self-monitoring in the industrial plants.
In Bulgaria the owner of the sewer system (water supply, sewerage company and waste water
treatment plant) monitors the industrial dischargers. In some special cases the monitoring is
done by authorities.
In Romania the industrial dischargers are monitored by the municipal water authority.
In Moldova the sampling and analysis of industrial plants is being implemented jointly by the
inspector from national authority and the municipal laboratory.

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In Ukraine monitoring is usually done by the laboratory of the municipal waste water treat-
ment plant. Responsibility for discharges into the sewer system lies within the State Com-
mittee for Householding and Construction Policy while the Ministry for Environmental Pro-
tection is responsible for direct discharges into waters.
5. How are monitored data used and documentated?
Monitored data serve e.g. as basis for decision if permitted concentrations, loads and further
requirements have been implemented and for reports on the status of water protection Data
from self-monitoring support the work of authorities and help to operate and maintain the
waste water treatment plant.
In Germany data from self-monitoring are aggregated to monthly and annual reports, these
data are stored for at least 3 years. The data of monitoring by authority are transmitted to the
central data base of regional authority. Additionally the data are used for the calculation of
waste water charges.
In Austria the monitored data are documentated in data banks, records and monitoring reports,
e.g. every 3 years in the water protection report.
In the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic monitoring data are also used to calculate fees
and penalties, for research in water field and the "State Water Management Balance". The
data are available for water management and control authorities. On the basis of revised stan-
dard STN 75 7241 ,,Water Quality. Control of Wastes and Special Waters" in Slovak Repub-
lic data are stored for at least five years. In the Slovak Republic the data base "LABOD" is
prepared by the Water Research Institute.
In Hungary since 1998 a nation-wide data base is being compiled.
In Croatia the data are used for calculation of a pollution coefficient or of the water pollution
fee. The data are documentated on forms, the data are also processed on computers.
All monitored data in Bosnia i Hercegovina have been stored at computer centre in the public
water enterprise "VODOPRIVREDA". This computer centre has been destroyed during war
activities.
In Bulgaria data are used for water quality management and annual reports.
In Romania the monitored data are processed, evaluated and stored in files (printed files,
computer software files). This data bank enables the survey of used raw materials, products,
waste, documentation about waste water treatment plants and the results of surveillance (there
is still a need of a data bank with appropriate software to calculate the pollutant loads).
In Moldova the monitoring data are stored as tables in written format. These are used for re-
ports, which are basis for further measures and decisions.
In Ukraine and Romania the monitoring data are introduced e.g. in annual reports which are
used for planning of water resources and for prognosis of social and economical development
in Ukraine.

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6. Is there a quality assurance system in function for monitoring of discharges?
Give a short description.
Quality assurance systems are more or less in function in the laboratories of the countries.
Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovenia
accredit (authorize, certificate) commercial and/or authority laboratories according to inter-
nationally valid standards mainly ISO 9000 (Quality management and quality assurance stan-
dards-Guidelines for selection and use) and EN 45 001(General criteria for the operation of
testing laboratories). The Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic have installed the "Czech
Institute for Accreditation" and the "(Slovak) National Reference Laboratory (Water Research
Institute in Bratislava)" to take a leading role in the process of accrediting laboratories.
This accreditation process according to internationally valid standards has just started in
Croatia, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. At the present time the quality assurance system in
those countries consists mainly of parallel sampling and analysing.

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