Control of heavy metal emission from metal plating industry in a german river basin

Abstract

The introduction of clear limits for the indirect discharge of heavy metals in Germany has greatly reduced the emissions from metal plating industry. Despite the more than 500 metal plating workshops within the Ruhr catchment area the current requirements for water quality of riverwater are met in the Ruhr (even the German limit values for drinking water are met). Nevertheless the industrial emissions into the sewers are still above the permitted level and above what routine checks of the industrial effluents lead to believe. Thus with respect to the German wastewater sludge regulation half of the dry sludge solids must be excluded from agricultural use. The complete implementation of legal requirements by all workshops will further diminish the heavy metal emissions into wastewater sludge and receiving waters.