The State Environmental Service has instructed SIA “Rīgas ūdens” to install e-noses for continuous odour monitoring at the biological treatment plant’s sludge fields in Vārnukrogs

The Large-Riga Regional Environmental Board of the State Environmental Service  (hereinafter – the SES) has instructed SIA “Rīgas ūdens” to ensure continuous monitoring of odour concentrations at the sludge fields of the “Daugavgrīva” biological treatment plant in Vārnukrogs, Jūrmala, in the direction of the nearest residential development, i.e. in a residential area. By the end of August, the company must install an automated measurement system, i.e. an e-nose, which will enable the SES to promptly identify all cases in which the company’s operations have caused a nuisance odour.

The SES regularly receives residents’ complaints about nuisance odours in Vārnukrogs – by 19 July 2021, 71 complaints had been received, while inspections found that the permissible number of odour units established by regulatory enactments had been exceeded in 7 cases. The most recent such complaint, in which an inspection confirmed a nuisance odour and found that the odour limit values had been exceeded in Vārnukrogs, in the area of the nearest detached-house development, was received by the SES on 17 July.  In this and all other cases in which a nuisance odour in the vicinity was confirmed, one of the sludge storage facilities of SIA “Rīgas ūdens” “Daugavgrīva” biological treatment plant was identified as the primary source.

Under the permit for polluting activity issued to the company, it must take measures to reduce odours at this site from April to October (inclusive). However, inspections carried out by environmental inspectors found that, although sprayers for an odour-neutralising agent had been installed and were operating around the sludge storage facility, which participates in the oxidation and absorption of odour-causing substances, under certain weather conditions the measures to limit the spread of odours do not produce the desired effect – the operation of the spraying equipment does not ensure the containment and reduction of the spread of nuisance odours. Therefore the SES, in order to reduce the spread of nuisance odours, has additionally instructed SIA “Rīgas ūdens” to ensure within one month that, after sludge is unloaded into storage facility No. 061, it is evenly treated with a specific two-component product that will act on the spread of odours caused by nitrogen- and sulphur-containing gases.

The company is obliged to take all necessary measures related to the monitoring and control of polluting activity, thereby ensuring compliance with environmental quality standards and preventing pollution from occurring. At present, taking into account residents’ complaints and the non-compliances identified during inspections, the SES considers that SIA “Rīgas ūdens” is taking insufficient measures to prevent odours.

If the company does not voluntarily comply with the actions ordered by the SES, the SES, as the enforcement authority, will initiate their compulsory execution. A coercive fine will be selected as the enforcement measure. The amount of the coercive fine ranges from EUR 50 to EUR 10 000. A coercive fine may be imposed repeatedly, increasing the amount each time until the addressee remedies the violation.

Author:

State Environmental Service

Public Relations Specialist

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development

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