Wastewater and Sludge Testing

At a minimum, it is expected that facilities meet and comply with the requirements set by local legislation. 

Additionally, suppliers should let solution providers sample and test for their wastewater according to the matrix given in tables in the Suppliers Roadmap to Zero: chapter Wastewater and Sludge Sampling Requirement, based on the threshold wastewater flow rate of the supplier and the type of pretreatment. 

Suppliers should ensure, through solution providers’ services, that they meet the following requirements:

• Perform wastewater testing twice a year i.e. before 30 April and before 31 October every year, to meet the cycle timelines.
• There should be at least a 3-month gap between the two sampling and testing cycles.
• The wastewater test reports for the 2 cycles must be uploaded to the supplier’s ZDHC Gateway account by the ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory, completing the sampling and testing.
• Generate a ClearStream Report for every wastewater testing cycle. 
• Meet all reporting limits for ZDHC MRSL parameters. 
• Meet, at a minimum wastewater foundational limits for all heavy metals . 
• Meet, at a minimum wastewater foundational limits for all conventional parameters and anions for direct discharge facilities. 
• In case of non-conformities in the ClearStream Report, suppliers should perform a root cause analysis (RCA) and upload a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) in their ZDHC Gateway supplier account.

There are three requirements within Wastewater and Sludge Testing: