Licence conditions for pollution studies and reduction program


  

Licence conditions for pollution studies and reduction programs

Summary
 
Licence number: 1100
Title: Soils Assessment
Start date: 01 Feb 2018
 
Licence Condition
The Soils Assessment must be consistent with the Environmental Guidelines: Use of Effluent by Irrigation (DEC 2004).
As part of the Soils Assessment, the licensee must at a minimum: a) describe and map the effluent irrigation management units, irrigation infrastructure (e.g. pumps, irrigators, tailwater collection systems), drainage lines, buffer zones and soil sampling sites; and b) undertake sampling and analysis of soils across each effluent irrigation management unit, identifying any limitations for effluent irrigation (including in relation to existing nutrient and salt loadings) with reference to DEC (2004).
Consistent with the Environmental Guidelines: Use of Effluent by Irrigation (DEC 2004): a) The following soil samples must be collected and analysed: At least one composite soil sample of 40 soil cores (taken at a depth of 0 - 10cm) from within each effluent irrigation management zone. A minimum of 8 of these composite soil samples must be collected (i.e. 320 cores), representing soil and irrigation variability across the reuse areas. Three soil profile cores at each of six areas within the effluent irrigation zones. Each core must comprise four depth intervals to 1 metre, within a 5 metre diameter plot (the four depths should fall within 0-20, 20-40, 40-70 and 70-100cm depth increments, and be positioned within major soil horizons or layers). b) Soil samples must be analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate-N, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, total phosphorus, exchangeable sodium percentage, phosphorus sorption capacity, saturated hydraulic conductivity and heavy metals.
The licensee must engage a suitably qualified and experienced person to prepare a Soils Assessment that assesses the condition of soils in each effluent irrigation management unit.
The Soils Assessment must be submitted in writing to the EPA by email to the EPA's Director, Sydney Industry Section to metro.regulation@epa.nsw.gov.au by 21 February 2020.