Managing data in our Pollution Inventory

1. Managing data in our Pollution Inventory Alex Hole Assessment & Reporting Advisor

2. Overview • Diffuse pollution • Guidance materials • Process for collection and verification of data • Software used for data collection and verification • Confidentiality issues • Pulling together the report for EPRTR

3. Diffuse Pollution • NAEI – National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory • Air emissions only • Information for the whole of the UK • www.naei.org.uk • Run by a consultant on behalf of our ministry of Environment (Defra) • Use data on fuel use, data from environment agencies to map emissions • No diffuse water data as yet

4. Guidance and tools for operators [1] • For waste operators: • GasSimLite for modelling landfill gas releases • Landfill leachate estimator tool • Landfill reporting guidance • PI guidance for waste treatment and transfer facilities • Oil estimator tool for waste treatment stations • For STWs: • PIEDC guidance for WIA operations • STW estimator tool

5. Guidance and tools for operators [2] • For other industries: • Combustion • Petroleum • Iron & Steel • Cement & Lime • Incineration • Paper & pulp • Chemicals • Intensive Agriculture • Hazardous waste transfer stations • Mines & quarries • Waste treatment operations • Used oil treatment • Food & drink • Not statutory/mandatory - designed to help quantify releases where site-specific data is not available

6. Guidance and tools for operators [3] • Sector guidance notes developed in collaboration with industry • Sector guidance should have lists of relevant substances and methodologies for calculating emissions where no monitoring data is available • Some sectors we include basic instructions on how to complete the form (e.g. Agriculture)

7. Guidance and tools for operators [4] • General: • PI reporting guidance • PI reporting codes • Guidance on using PIEDC (electronic reporting system) • PI reporting forms (MS Word & Acrobat) • All general and sector specific guidance is available from the PI website at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/pi

8. PI process - a summary • Issue of PI Notices • Issue of reminder letters by 20th December • PI returns obtained from industry operators by 28th February • Paper forms entered on to PIEDC by 15th March • Data is verified by site officers by the 5th April • Overview audit carried out between 5-20th April • Identified problems resolved by 30th April • Final Data ready by 15th May

9. How is data checked & verified ? During data entry: • PIEDC system triggers ‘check flags’ highlighting potential data errors Following data entry: • Returns verified for accuracy by regulatory site officer/team using knowledge of site • Overview audit of PI dataset by regional data teams and feedback to PI contact points • National overview of PI dataset by national team and any further feedback to PI contact points

10. Why do Check flags occur ? Reasons why they are generated: • Emissions high compared with previous year [>50% of the value] • Emissions are low compared with previous year [<50% of the value] • Emission high compared with threshold [factor of 5 times or more] • Incorrect units selected - factor of 1000 different • ‘brt’ entered compared to an emission the previous year • Emission value entered below reporting threshold

11. Dealing with Check flags • Check flags must be investigated before removal • Electronically submitted forms should include explanation by operator in ‘qualification notes’ box • Chance to clear at data entry stage • Outstanding check flags should be cleared during verification • Status of PI return cannot be changed to ‘Verified’ with check flags remaining

12. Verification of data The verifier should: • Clear outstanding check flags • Check all expected substances have been reported • Follow up ‘qualification notes’ made by operator • Use local site knowledge to determine whether changes in releases are valid • Provide commentary on significant changes or other changes in ‘Inspectors’ comments’ box • Use ‘Verification Checklist for Inspectors’ • Complete verification by 5th April

13. Generic issues for all returns Incorrect units entered: • Check whether kg, tonnes etc. • Check PI reporting requirements are followed • Waste transfers must always be entered in tonnes Common problems include: • Non-methane volatile organic compounds [NMVOCs] must be reported as ‘total mass’ not ‘total carbon-equivalent mass’ • CFCs, PFCs, HFCs, HCFCs & halon must be reported as total mass

14. Reporting of all expected substances Indicative list of substances by sector: • Lists substances you would expect to see released by sector to air/water • Indicative list - for guidance only to identify that site has reported appropriately LCPD data: • reported in addition to PI NOx/SOx is appropriate

15. ‘Inspectors’ comments’ box • Use for explanation of significant changes in emissions For example as a result of : • Change in operating conditions • Improved abatement technology • Changes in raw materials • Provide as much explanation as possible during verification stage • No explanations could lead to further enquiries at later stages

16. Verifying returns from waste sites • More detailed handouts provided on verifying PI returns from: • Landfill sites - including information on leachate, landfill gas [GasSimLite] etc. • Waste transfer facilities - including expected release sources, likely releases, estimating releases etc. • Chemical treatment facilities - including likely releases, quantifying releases etc. • Oil recovery operations - likely releases etc

17. Auditing estimated data • Compare with values from previous years for sanity check • Compare releases with other similar sites/works • Check with appropriate sector experts in area/region

18. Auditing monitored data • Is monitoring data from a reliable source and technique ? • Have enough concentration values/flow rates been used to generate meaningful annual load ? • How do values compare with previous years ? • Would use of an estimator tool be preferable ?

19. Commercial confidentiality • Operator can make a claim for confidentiality • Written justification must be provided • 28 days from date of receipt to determine • Case by case judgement • For Intensive agriculture, permitting teams were issued guidance and this is being used for PI

20. What is the PIEDC? • Pollution Inventory Electronic Data Capture • Web based application • ‘Front end’ of the Pollution Inventory database • Data is stored in an Oracle database • Internal and external version of system • Operators enter emissions data onto PIEDC • Paper forms entered by staff onto PIEDC • Approximately 50-60% returns are submitted electronically via the web • Data extracted from the database using an Access database

21. Details of Installations [1] PPC activities • Name, address, grid reference, EA ‘area’, site inspector details come from PPC permitting system • Link between permitting system and PI • Manual changes can be made

22. Details of Installations [2] Non-PPC activities (new EPRTR) • Written to using a list from a third party • Asked to complete information on Name, address, grid reference • For all sites RBD will be calculated using GIS

23. Demonstration of the PIEDC

24. ‘What’s in your Backyard ?’

25. ‘What’s in your Backyard ?’

26. ‘What’s in your Backyard ?’

27. The rest of the UK Scotland • PRTR is called the SPRI (Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory) • http://www.sepa.org.uk/spri/index.htm • Bob Boyce in SEPA is the contact Northern Ireland • do not have an electronic PRTR – paper based system • All data will come together for the UKPRTR

28. Compiling data for EPRTR • Data will be extracted by each country in UK • Only extract data from the database where it meets EPRTR requirements (data collected from PPC activities which goes beyond EPRTR is not included) • Format of data required for the EPRTR is described in the guidance document • EEA will provide a validation tool for EPRTR • Data is entered into validation tool • Any errors in data format will be double checked • Once data passes validation it will be uploaded to website

29. Alex Hole Assessment & Reporting Advisor alex.hole@environment-agency.gov.uk 0044 117 914 2622