Background
Our client, a major pharmaceutical company, required an environmental permit for their production facility in South East England. The site was discharging cooling water into a nearby stream and, following a change of ownership in 2010, was now required to hold a discharge consent for these activities. First Environment was commissioned to research and evaluate the site and surrounding areas and complete an environmental permit application.
Scope
To attend site and evaluate the factory processes and environmental risks to the surrounding area, with the aim of gaining an environmental permit for discharging cooling water.
Core tasks
- Inspection and research of the site and surrounding areas
- Liaison with the Environment Agency and the site to accurately complete an environmental permit application
- Set-up of a sampling schedule for the cooling water discharge across a range of organic and physical parameters
- Securing the environmental permit for discharge of cooling water to a nearby stream
Outcome
Through a combination of knowledge and experience, First Environment was able to relieve some of the pressure such a process can place on a company. As a result of a detailed and accurate application, the Environment Agency awarded the client an environmental permit for discharging cooling water. First Environment continues to undertake monitoring of the discharge and offer advice to ensure the site continues to meet the permit’s criteria.