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Discharge monitoring AT
Discharge monitoring
Strict regulations for wastewater
The function of discharge monitoring is to ensure that certain concentrations of substances are not exceeded when discharged into the wastewater pipes.
There are contractual agreements between the customer and Berliner Wasserbetriebe as to the condition of the wastewater when discharged into a public wastewater pipe. These agreements and their monitoring are important to ensure that the wastewater does not constitute a hazard for humans, the wastewater pipe systems and the environment.
Major provisions for the discharge of wastewater
- Wastewater containing fats (least volatile lipophilic substances) in a concentration of more than 300 mg/l must not be discharged into the wastewater pipes. It must be collected and treated separately.
- Liquids and solids that could clog the wastewater pipes and inflammable, explosive, toxic or radioactive substances are not permitted in the wastewater pipes. These also include e.g. pharmaceuticals, paint residues or brush cleansers.
Further provisions can be found in the General Conditions for Drainage (see PDF).
The table shows substances and their permitted concentration in the wastewater.
| Name | Menge |
| Hydrocarbons (DIN EN ISO 9377-2) | 20 mg/l |
| Least volatile lipophilic substances (SLS) | 300 mg/l |
| Halogenated organic hydrocarbons | |
| Adsorbable organohalogens (AOX) | 1 mg/l |
| Volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VOC) | 0,5 mg/l |
| Organic non-halogenated solvents | |
| Total BTEX (benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene) | 10 mg/l |
| Individual substances: Benzene | 1 mg/l |
| Non-halogenated phenols volatile in steam (as C6H5OH) | 25 mg/l |
| Inorganic substances | |
| Lead (Pb) | 1 mg/l |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0,5 mg/l |
| Chromium (Cr) | 1 mg/l |
| Chromium (VI) | 0,2 mg/l |
| Copper (Cu) | 1 mg/l |
| Nickel (Ni) | 1 mg/l |
| Silver (Ag) | 1 mg/l |
| Mercury (Hg) | 0,05 mg/l |
| Tin (Sn) | 5 mg/l |
| Zinc (Zn) | 5 mg/l |
| Cyanide, total | 20 mg/l |
| Cyanide, easily released | 1 mg/l |
| Sulphide, dissolved | 2 mg/l |
Wastewater discharged into the wastewater pipes by trade and industry is examined by Berliner Wasserbetriebe. Roughly 20,000 companies are listed in a wastewater register. The discharges are examined at regular intervals.
If noticeable amounts of certain substances are discovered in the pumping stations or in the inlet to a wastewater treatment plant, it is possible using the register to trace the substance back to its source.
Discharge monitoring
