Outfalls Services
Legislative requirements for the disposal and dispersal of waste in both marine and freshwater environments are becoming increasingly defined with higher levels of dilution required. Improvements in the quality of effluent discharges from screening, sedimentation and settling, chemical control, long-sea outfalls and efficacy of diffusers have decreased the levels of pollutants and waste discharged whilst improving dilution. A clear understanding of the dispersion and fate of residual outfall effluent within the aquatic environment has become essential to mitigate the impact of such discharges.
ETS offers a unique particulate and dye tracing capability, which can be used for plume dispersal in the near field in addition to far field monitoring.
The particulate Tracers can be manufactured with neutral density to mimic flocs or with particulate characteristics to accurately mimic wastewater sludge, E.coli, pollutants and sediments.
ETS complement this technology with a complete marine survey capability and in the last 10 years have successfully conducted outfall surveys across the length and breadth of the UK. With our own shallow draft survey vessel and suite of navigation and oceanographical monitoring equipment, we are able to operate across the broad spectrum of marine and freshwater sites, including lakes, rivers, estuaries, confined harbours, and coastal fringes.
ETS` expertise includes: -
- Plume tracking - spatial and temporal effluent dilution.
- Drogue tracking.
- Current velocity profiling including ADCP surveys and suspended current meters.
- Dye dispersal studies.
- Bathing water quality monitoring.
- Bathymetric and hydrographic survey.
- Model validation.
- Initial discharge dilution characteristics.
- Oceanographical survey.
- CORMIX & ELSID modelling.
- Seabed sampling using corers and grabs.