STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS  
20… No. ….  
 
(1st Revised Draft) The National Environment ( Standards 
for Discharge of Effluent into  
Water or on Land ) Regulations, 20…  
_______  
 
 
ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS  
 
Regulation  
PART I - PRELIMINARY  
1. Citation.  
2. Interpretation.  
3. Application of Regulations.  
 
PART II – EFFLUENT CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT  
 
4. Standards for discharge of Effluent.  
5. General obligation to prevent and mitigate pollution.  
6. Functions of the lead agency.  
7. Compliance with effluent discharge permit.  
8. Application for effluent discharge permit.  
9. Issuance of effluent discharge permit.  
10. Emergency effluent discharge permit.  
11. Renewal of effluent discharge permit.  
12. Revocation of permit.  
13. Right to enter and inspect premises related to the purpose of the permit.  
14. Duty to keep record s. 
15. Reports on discharge on standards of effluent into water or on land.  
 
PART III — OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND OTHER MEASURES  
 
16. General penalty.  
17. Order of forfeiture.  
18. Administrative measures.  
19. Appeals from an administrative decision.  
 
 
 
PART XVI – GENERAL MATTERS  
 20. Repeals.  
21. Transitional Provisions.  
 
 
 
 
SCHEDULES  
 
First Schedule   Application for a permit in respect of discharge of effluent  
Second Schedule         Format of Emergency Permit  
Third  Schedule  Formula used to calculate pollution /permit fee  
Fourth Schedule  Application for the renewal of effluent discharge permit  
Fifth Schedule              Standards for discharge of effluent  
Sixth Schedule            Standards for discharge of effluent into public sewer  
Seventh  Schedule  Petroleum refining effluent standards  
Eight Schedule  Oil and gas exploration and production effluent standards  
Ninth Schedule  Waste water test methods  
Tenth Schedule  Currency points  
 
  THE NATIONALENVIRONMENT ACT.  
  
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS  
20… No. ….  
 
(1st Revised Draft) The National Environment ( Standards 
for Discharge of Effluent into Water  or on Land  ) 
Regulations, 20…  
 
(Under sections  3, 25,26,30,32 and 107 of the National Environment Act, Cap 153 ) 
 
PART I —PRELIMINARY  
 
1. Citation.  
 
These Regulations may be  cited as the National Environment (Standards for  Discharge of Effluent  
into Water or on Land) Regulations.  
 
2. Interpretation.  
 
In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires — 
 
“Act” means the National Environment Act, Cap. 153;  
“Authority” means the National Environment Management Authority established under section 4 
of the Act;  
 
“Cleaner production techniques” include process efficiency improvements, material substitution, 
inventory control, preventive maintenance, improved housekeeping, and in -process recycling ; 
 
 “Executive director” means the executive director of the National Environment  Management  
Authority  appointed under section 11 of the National Environment Act;  
 
“Discharge”  includes  the act of spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring,  emitting, emptying, releasing, 
or dumping of any material into a water body or onto land from which it might flow or drain into 
said water;  
 
 “Effluent”  has the same meaning assigned to it under section1of the  Act; 
 
“Facility” includes a premise, an indus try or establishment from which effluent emanates.  
 
“Land” has the meaning assigned to it under section 2 of the Interpretation Act. Cap 3;  
 
“Lead agencies” has the meaning assigned to it under section 1 of the Act;  
 “Pollution” has the meaning assigned to  it under section 1 of the Act;  
 
“Water”  has the meaning assigned to it under the Water Act, Cap 152;  
 
"Water body" includes a stream, a river, a canal, a lake, a pond, an impounding reservoir, an 
estuary, a wetland, a lagoon, sea and underground water;  
 
"Watercourse" means any natural or artificial channel, pipe or conduit, excluding the 
wastewater  system; carrying or that may carry water and discharging directly or indirectly into a 
water body.  
 
“Waste” has the meaning assigned to it under section 1 of th e National Environment Act, Cap 153.  
 
3. Application of Regulations.  
 
These Regulations apply to — 
(a) all discharges;  
(b) any other matter relating to discharge of effluent into water or on land as the regulatory  
authority and lead agency may deem fit.  
 
 
PART II -– EFFLUENT CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT  
 
4. Standards for discharge  of Effluent.  
 
(1) The standards for effluent  or waste water  before discharge into water  or on land shall be as 
prescribed in the  fifth, sixth , seventh , eighth  and ninth  Schedule s to these Regulations.  
 
(2) The Executive  Director  or a person authorised by him or her may issue guidelines for the 
treatment of efflu ent from industries  or establish ments so as to  ensure assimilation by the water or 
land into which the effluent is discharged . 
 
5. General obligation to  prevent and  mitigate pollution.  
 
(1) Every owner of a pollution source  facility  shall  adopt relevant pollution prevention and 
cleaner production techniques . 
 
(2) Every owner of a pollution source facility  shall  install at his or her facility , anti-pollution 
equipment  for the treatment of effluent and chemical discharge emanating from the facility . 
 
(3) Anti-pollution equipment  installed under sub regulation (2) of this  regulation shall be based 
on best practicable means,  the environmentally  sound practice s or oth er guidelines as the executive 
director may determine . 
 
6. Functions of the lead agency.   (1) Subject to section 26(c) of the Act, a lead agency shall perform any function as the 
Authority may direct or delegate any of its functions stated in section 26 (c)  of the Act.  
(2) Subject to the Regulation 3(2) of the National Environment (Delegation of Waste 
Discharge Functions) Instrument, the lead agency shall  be responsible for issuance or denial of the  
effluent discharge permit.  
 
7. Compliance with effluent discharge permit.  
 
(1) A person shall not discharge or cause to be discharged any effluent from any pollution 
source as prescribed in the Second Schedule to these Regulations into water, watercourse, water 
body or onto any land without an effluent discharge permit issued by the appropriate lead agency.  
 
(2) Notwithstanding sub regulation (1), a person shall not discharge or cause to be discharged 
any effluent into water, watercourse or water body and on land from which water is, or is likely to 
be, abstracted for  other uses.  
 
8. Application for effluent discharge permit.  
 
(1) A person who wishes to obtain effluent discharge permit referred to regulation 9 shall make 
an application to the appropriate lead agency.  
 
(2) An application for an effluent discharge  permit shall be made in the form set out in the 
First Schedule  to these Regulations . 
 
(3) In the case of an y pollution source set  out in the Second  Schedule to these Regulations 
already in operation at the time of the application , the person  in control and management of the 
pollution source shall  within 3 months after the commencement of  these Regulations submit a 
certificate showing t he result of an analysis of the  effluent  together with the application for a 
permit.  
 
(4) An application for effluent discharge permit shall be accompanied by a contingency plan 
specifyin g measures that shall be taken by the applicant  for the operations of the facility and for 
the remedying of any breakdown or failure in the treatment works or process.  
 
(5) The processing of an application process f or the effluent discharge permit shall not exceed 
two month s. 
 
9. Issuance of effluent  discharge permit.  
 
(1) Where the lead agency  is satisfied that an applicant has complied with the relevant laws, it 
may issue a permit  to the applicant upon payment  of such fee as specified  in the Second Schedule  
to these Regulations . 
 
(2) A permit issued under sub regulation  (1) shall specify -  
(a) the maximum volume of  effluent that may be discharged daily;  
(b) the maxi mum rate at which any effluent may be discharged at any time;  (c) the method of sampling and location of sampling points of the industrial effluent;  
(d) the frequency of analysis to be conducted in respect of the industrial effluent.  
 
(3) A person shall not be issued with an effluent discharge  permit to discharge into water 
already polluted by previous discharge as declared by the regulatory agency.  
 
(4) A permit shall be valid for the period of one year.  
 
 
10. Emergency effluent discharge permit.  
 
(1) The lead agency may issue emergency permits if it find s that immediate remedial action is 
necessary to alleviate an imminent threat to life, property or the environment.  
 
(2)  The emergency permit shall be in the form provided in the  Second  Schedule to these 
Regulations.  
 
(3) The emergency permit will contain conditions as the lead agency may determine.  
 
(4)  The lead agency  may institute legal or administrative proceedings for violations of the 
emergency permit or conditions of the emergency permit.  
 
(5) The emergency permit shall expire 60 days after the effective date of the permit unless 
extended in writing by the lead agency.  
 
(6)   The lead agency shall notify the Authority of the issuance of an emergency permit as soon 
as possible and provide a follow -up notice in writing within 48 hours from the issuance of the 
emergency permit.  
 
11. Renewal of effluent discharge permit.  
 
(1) An application for the renewal of a permit shall be made - 
a) in the form set out in the Third Schedule;  
b) at least one month before the expiry of the permit.  
 
(2) The lead agency may renew a permit if i t is satisfied that the applicant has complied with 
the Act and any regulations made under the Actor other relevant law, and upon payment of such 
fee as specified in the Second Schedule.  
 
12. Revocation of permit.  
 
(1) Subject to sub  regulation (2), where the holder of a permit fails to comply with these 
Regulations, the  lead agency  may revoke the permit.  
 
(2) The lead agency  shall not revoke a permit unless it has requested the hol der thereof to 
submit reasons in writing why his permit sh ould not be revoked.   
13. Right to enter and inspect premises related to the purpose of the permit.  
 
(1) An environmental inspector, an officer of the Authority or lead agency may, at reasonable 
times and without prior notification,  enter and inspect any facility for the purpose of determining 
compliance with these Regulations.  
 
(2) Notwithstanding sub -regulation( 1),an environmental inspector, an officer of the Authority 
or lead agency may enter and inspect any facility at any time if there is reasonable cause to belie ve 
that there is a serious threat to public health and safety or the environment.  
 
(3) During the inspection, the environmental inspector, officer of the Authority or lead agency 
shall have free and unimpeded access to all data, facilities, and property involv ed in the generation, 
distribution or disposal of effluent into water or on land.  
 
(4) In the conduct of inspections, the environmental inspector, officer of the Authority or lead 
agency may be accompanied by an enforcement officer.  
 
 
14. Duty to keep records.  
 
(1) The holder of an effluent discharge permit as required by section 77 of the National 
Environment  Act shall — 
(a) keep a record of the amount of waste generated at the pollution source  and of the 
parameters of the discharges;  
(b) submit the record referred to in par agraph (a) of this sub regulation to the executive 
director and to any other relevant lead agency, every three months from the 
establishment of the pollution source  for which the permit was issued; and  
(c) report to the executive director any abnormal discharg e of effluent.  
 
(2) The executive director may, on receipt of the record under sub regulation (1) of this 
regulation, issue such guidelines as he or she may deem fit curb and avoid discharge of effluent.  
 
15. Reports on discharge on standards of effluent into wate r or on land.  
 
(1) The person in charge of the pollution source shall cause the result of analysis of an 
industrial effluent to be sent  to the Authority and to the appropriate lead agency on a monthly 
basis, specifying the method, date, time and location of sampling for each and every sample.  
 
(2) For the purpose of regulation 15(1), the method of sampling, the sample storage and 
method of analysis shall be in accordance with the guidelines issued under regulation 4(2). 
 
(3) Notwithstanding sub regulation  (1), the ho lder of a permit shall submit to the Authority 
and the lead agency a quarterly report disclosing the levels of discharge of effluent into water or 
land from his or her facility.  
 (4) The holder of a permit shall, within three months of the expiry of the permi t or 
abandonment of operations or termination whichever is earlier, submit to the Authority and the 
lead agency a full report of the effluent discharge into water or on land.  
 
(5) The reports under sub -regulations (1) and (2) shall include the findings of any studies 
conducted in relation to the effluent discharge or accidental spills into water or on land.  
 
PART III— OFFENCES , PENALTIES  AND OTHER MEASURES  
 
16. General penalty.  
 
(1) A person who contravenes these Regulations commits an offence  and is liable on 
conviction to  imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years  or to a fine  not exceeding five 
thousand currency points or both . 
 
(2) The executive director may, in addition to any penalty imposed  under sub regulation (1) of 
this regulation, give directions as to steps to be  taken to mitigate the damage caused as a result of 
the contravention, and the  person liable shall comply with the directions.  
 
17. Order of forfeiture.  
 
Where a person is convicted of an offence under these Regulations, the court may, in additio n to 
any other penalty imposed, make an order for the forfeiture of any funds, money instruments, 
documents, facilities, vehicles, crafts, vessels or equipment used in the commission of the offence.  
 
18. Administrative measures.  
 
Without prejudice to penalties  imposed by judicial process, the Authority may administer other 
measures which may include the following – 
(a) closure of the facility where there is persistent breach of the effluent standards, including 
failure to put in place corrective measures to the sat isfaction of the Authority;  
(b) administrative penalties;  
(c) surcharge of five percent of the amount required to be paid which is in default for each day 
of default; and  
(d) confiscation of property or equipment.  
 
19. Appeals from an administrative decision.  
 
A person aggrieved by the decision of the Executive Director or an environmental inspector may 
appeal to an administrative tribunal established under the Act or to the High Court within a period 
of thirty days after the date on which the decision was communicated t o him or her.  
 
 
PART XVI – GENERAL MATTERS  
 
20. Repeals.   
The National Environment ( Standards for Discharge of Effluent into Water or on Land ) 
Regulations Audit) Regulations, S.I. 153 -3 are revoked.  
 
21. Transitional Provisions.  
 
(1) Any application made, report or document submitted, permit issued, under the National 
Environment ( Standards for Discharge of Effluent into Water or on Land ) Regulations, S.I. 153 -
3, shall be deemed to have been made, conducted, submitted, given, or issued under these 
Regulations.  
 
(2) Notwithstanding sub -regulation (1), any person who made an application or submitted 
documents to the Authority or the lead agency for approval prior to the commencement of these 
Regulations shall be exempted from paying any fees which would have been payab le had the 
application been made or the documents been submitted after the commencement of these 
Regulations.  
 
 
 
 
 
___________  
 
   
 
SCHEDULES  
 
 
 
regulation 8 (1) 
 
FIRST SCHEDULE  
APPLICATION FORM  
Application for a permit in respect of discharge of effluent  into any w atercourse or waterbody or 
onto any land  
To:       ............................................................................................................................. ..... 
 (name of enforcing agency)  
  
PARTICULARS  
  
1.         Name of pollution source 
/applicant    ..............................................................................................................  
             Address   ............................................................................................. ..................................
.... 
            Phone No./ Fax No. ....................................................................................................  
             E-mail  ................................................................ ...........................................  
 2.         Name and location of waterbody/watercourse /land  
.................................................................  
 3.         Location of discharge point (location plan to be annexed) ................. ................................  
 ............................................................................................................................. ........  4.        Nature and composition of th e effluents to be discharged  
 (Analysis certificate/s to be attached where appropriate)  
            ............................................................................................................................. ...... 
  
            ............................................................................................................................. ....... 
  
         ................................................................................................................ ....................  
 5.   Frequency of discharge of effluent..............................................................................  
 6.   Maximum daily volume of effluent to be discharged..........................................................  
 7.   Maximum rate of discharge......................................................................................  
 8.    Equipment/device for measurement of volume/rate of discharge of 
effluent...............................  
       ...................... .............................................................................................................  
 9.    Sampling:  
(i)      Method  
 
 ............................................................................................................... ............  
(ii)     Frequency  
  
            .....................................................................................................................  
           (iii)   Location  
                      .......................................... ..............................................................................  
10.        Method of analysis per parameter *..................................................................................  
             .................................... ................................................................................................  
             ............................................................................................................................. ........  
             ............................................................................................................................. .......             .............................................................................................................. ......................  
             ............................................................................................................................. ...... 
   
            I/We request that I/We may be granted an Effluent Discharge Permit in accordance with 
the particulars given above.  
             I/We undertake to comply with prescribed standards.  
             I/We also undertake to submit to the Department of Environment and the Enforcing 
Agency a monthly return of our compliance monitoring  data.  
  
  
            Date.........................................                                     ......................................................  
               
Name of applicant company/business /institution/recreational/amusement centres.  
  
   
                                                                                    .................................................  
                                                                                                        Signature  
      Position of person signing  for or on behalf of the applicant  
  
 
*A list of recommended methods, sampling, storage and methods of analysis  is available at the 
relevant l ead agency.  
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY  
Permit No.   ..................................  
Issued on    ..................................  Reference     .................................  
Date             .................................  
  Regulation 10 (1)  
SECOND SCHEDULE  
EMERGENCY PERMIT  
In the exercise of the powers conferred upon to the Lead agency  by regulation 10 of the National 
Environment (Standards for Discharge of Effluent into Water or on Land)  Regulations 20 this is 
to grant an Emergency Effluent Discharge Permit  
Number:........................................................................ ............  
To.......................................................................................................  
Special Conditions  
...................................................................................................................... ......................................
............................................................................................................................. ...............................
.............................................................. ..............................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. ...............................
................................................................................................................................... .........................
.......................................................................................................... ..................................................
............................................................................................................................. ...............................
.................................................. ..........................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. ......................... ......
............................................................................................................................. ...............................
.............................................................................................. ..............................................................  
This permit is granted for a period not exceeding 60 days which come into force on...... until.......  
Issuance Date:  
.....................................................  
LEAD AGENCY  
Regulation  9(1) 
THIRD SCHEDULE  
FORMULA USED  TO CALCULATE POLLUTION /PERMIT  FEE 
 
Calculation of basic pollution fees or permit fees for the different categories of pollution source/ 
industry is  done by considering the pollution potentia l of the efflue nt, the  most effective available effluent treatment technology and economic viability. The pollution sources  are 
categorised and key parameter treatment costs included in the calculations . 
Categories  of pollution sources /industrial activities  
 
Pollution source  Category  Parametersa  used for calculating 
Fees  
Agribusiness and  Food Production  III BOD,COD, TSS, N,P  
1. Sugar Manufacturing Industries and 
Refineries    
2. Canning & Food Processing    
3. Dairy Processing   
4. Soft Drink Bottling  
5. Breweries & Distilleries   
6. Slaughter house  
7. Meat  processing  
8. Fish processing  
9. Sugar Manufacture  
10. Breweries  
11. Edible Oil processing.  
12. Aquaculture  
13. Livestock  production including 
breeding  
14. Poultry Production  
15. Crop Production  II N,P and Pesticides  
Chemical Industry  I Heavy metals, organic solvents, 
AOX, TSS, TDS, pH  1. Pharmaceuticals Industry  
2. Paint Manufacturing   
3. Petroleum -based chemical 
manufacture  
4. Petroleum Refining  
5. Soap & Detergents Manufacturing   
6. Manufacture of Chemical Fertilizers   
Metallurgical Industry  I Metals, Oil & Grease  
1. Metal Plating & Galvanising    
2. Steel rolling mills  
3. Smelting and Refining  
Forestry Products   BOD, COD, TSS  
1. Wood -based Products  
2. Sawmills  
3. Pulp and paper mills  
General manufacture   Heavy metals, TSS, TDS, 
BOD,COD, oil & grease  1. Tanning and leather finishing  I  and 
II 2. Cement and lime manufacturing  Pollution source  Category  Parametersa  used for calculating 
Fees  
3. Textile manufacturing, Dyeing, 
Washing & Finishing units   
4. Foundries  
5. Plastic and rubber products  
6. Metal   products  
7. Cottages  
Oil and gas  I Heavy metals, TSS, Oil& grease, 
TDS  Exploration and Production  
(Oil and gas development)  
Mining  I Heavy metals, TSS, TDS, pH 
Extraction of minerals  
Other industrial activities  II Heavy metals, TSS, TDS, pH, 
oil&grease, pH, surfactants  1. Operating Mechanical Workshop   
2. Laundry  
3. Tiles and Bricks  
Infrastructure  II BOD,COD, TSS, heavy metals, 
BTEX, N,P, oil&grease  1. Water treatment plants -municipal  
2. Wastewater Treatment Plant  –
municipal  
3. Retail Petroleum network    
4. Private water and sanitation facilities  
5. Waste management facilities - landfills  
1. Crude oil terminals  I 
2. Petroleum product depots/terminals  
3. Thermal Power Plant Operation   
 
a parameters will be selected as it may apply to the discharger by the Lead Agency.  
 
 
 
Equation 1:  
 
Basic cost (permit fees)  
 
CT = V x I C x [FP1 (CP1)+ F P2 (CP2 )+ F P3 (CP3)+… F Pn (CPn]      (1) 
 
 Equation 2 
 
Noncompliance  Fees:  
 
CT = V x I C x [FP1 (CP1 –SC1) + FP2 (CP2-SC2) + FP3 (CP3 – SC3) +… F Pn (CPn - SCn)]   (2)  
 
CT/Cf  =  Fee in Currency Point unit           (3) 
 
Where:  
CT = Total cost of pollution discharge  = Pollution charge /Fee  
CP = Concentration of pollutant discharged (BOD, COD , TSS , TN, TP, etc)  
Cf =Currency point in Uganda Shillings (20,000/=)  
IC = Industry category pollution factor  
FP = the unit cost for treating pollutant ( by concentration or load ) expressed in 
Uganda Shillings  
SC = Parameter permissible concentration limit  
V = volume of effluent discharged during the billing period  
  regulation 11 (1) 
FOURTH  SCHEDULE  
RENEWAL OF PERMIT  
APPLICATION FOR THE RENEWAL OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE PERMIT  
 To:.......................................................................................................................... ......................... 
(name of lead  agency)  
 I/We ............................................................................ ..................................................................  
being licensed to discharge effluent into 
............................................................................................  
hereby apply for the renewal of my/our Permit No. 
..............................................................................  
  
dated .............................................  
  
Date .........................................                                                .....................................................  
                                                                                    Name of applicant company/business  
  
                                                                                    .................................................  
                                                                                                        Signature  
                                                                          Position of per son signing  for or on behalf of an 
applicant ,  
  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
 
 FOR OFFICE USE ONLY  New Permit No.   ................................  
Issued on     ................. ......................  
Reference    .......................................  
Date            .......................................  
   
 
regulation 4(1) 
 
FIFTH  SCHEDULE . 
 STANDARDS FOR DISCHARGE OF EFFLUENT.  
 
Parameter  all mg/l except pH)  Proposed Maximum  
permissible limits  
 
1,1,1, -trichloroethane (C 2H3Cl3)mg/L  3.0  
1,1,2. -trichloroethylene (C 2HCl 3)mg/L  0.2  
1,1, 2, -trichloroethane (C 2H3Cl3)mg/L  0.06  
1,2-dichloroethane (C 2H4Cl2)mg/L  0.04  
1,3-dichloropropene (C 3H4Cl2)mg/L  0.2  
Aluminum (Al) mg/L  0.5  
Ammonia Nitrogen (N -NH 3) mg/L  5.0 
Arsenic (As) mg/L  0.01 
Barium (Ba) mg/L  10 
Benzene (C 6H6) mg/L  NIL 
Beryllium (Be) mg/L  0.1 
BOD 5 mg/L  30 
Boron(B) mg/L  0.25 
Cadmium (Cd) mg/L  0.01 
Calcium (Ca) mg/L  100  
Chloride (Cl-) mg/L  250 
Chlorine –total residual mg/L  0.2 
Chromium (total) (Cr) mg/L  1.0  
Chromium (Cr+6) mg/L  0.05 Parameter  all mg/l except pH)  Proposed Maximum  
permissible limits  
 
Cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (C 2H2Cl2) mg/L  0.4  
Cobalt (Co) mg/L  0.1 
COD mg/L  60  
Coliform (Organisms counts  
/100ml)  <400  
E. Coli <200  
Faecal Coliform  400 in 100ml water  
Colour TCU  50 
Copper (Cu) mg/L  0.5  
Cyanide (CN) mg/L  0.05 
Detergents mg/L  10 
Dichloromethane (CH 2Cl2) mg/L  0.2  
Fluoride (F -) mg/L  2.0 
Iron (Fe) mg/L  5.0 
Lead (Pb) mg/L  0.01  
Manganese (Mn) mg/L  1.0  
Mercury total (Hg) mg/L  0.001 
Nickel (Ni) mg/L  1.0  
Nitrate -N (NO 3-) mg/L  5.0 
Nitrite – N(NO 2-) mg/L  1.0 
Nitrogen (total) mg/L  10 
Odour  No offensive odour  
Oil and Grease mg/L  5.0 
Organoph osphorus pesticides  mg/L  NIL 
Organochlorine pesticides  mg/L  NIL 
PCBs  mg/L  0.003  Parameter  all mg/l except pH)  Proposed Maximum  
permissible limits  
 
pH  6.0-9.0 
Phenols  (C6H5OH) mg/L  0.02 
Phosphorus (total) mg/L  5.0 
Phosphate (soluble)PO 43 mg/L  1.0 
Selenium (Se) mg/L  0.02 
Silver (Ag) mg/L  0.1 
Sulphate s (SO 42-) mg/L  50 
Sulphide s mg/L  1.0 
TDS mg/L  1200 
Temperature (0C) ±30C of ambient  
Tetrachloroethylene (C 2Cl4) mg/L  0.1 
Tetrachloromethane (CCl 4) mg/L  0.02 
Tin (Sn) mg/L  5 .0 
Total Suspended Solids mg/L  100 
Tricholoroethylene  (C 2HCl 3) mg/L  0.3 
Turbidity NTU  30 
Vanadium (V) mg/L  1.0 
 Zinc  (Zn) mg/L  5.0 
Radioactive materials (micro curie/ml  Alpha emitters (10-7) 
Beta emitters (10-6) 
 
History: S.I. 5/1999. stop regulation  7 (1) 
 
SIXTH  SCHEDULE  
 STANDARDS FOR DISCHARGE OF EFFLUENT INTO PUBLIC SEWERS  
 
Parameter  Proposed Maximum  
permissible limits  
 
Aluminum (Al) mg/L  2.0 
Ammonia Nitrogen(NH 3-N) mg/L  5.0 
Arsenic (As) mg/L  0.2  
Barium mg/L  1.5 
BOD 5 mg/L  500  
Boron mg/L  5.0 
Cadmium mg/L  0.1 
Chlorine – total residual mg/L   NIL 
Chlorides mg/l  600 
Chromium (total) mg/L  2.0  
Chromium (Cr+6) mg/L  2.0  
Cobalt (Co)mg/L  1.0  
COD mg/L  1000 
Coliform Organisms  counts  /100ml  10,000  
 
Colour TCU  300 
Copper (Cu)mg/L  1.0  
Cyanide (CN)mg/L  0.2  
Detergents (MBAS)mg/L  15 
Dichloromethane mg/l  0.2 
Fluoride (F-) mg/L  8.0 Parameter  Proposed Maximum  
permissible limits  
 
Iron (Fe)mg/L  3.5 
Lead (Pb) mg/L  0.05 
Magnesium (Mg) mg/L  100  
Manganese (Mn) mg/L  2.0  
Mercury – total (Hg) mg/L  0.02 
Nickel (Ni) mg/L  1.0  
Nitrate –N(NO3 -) mg/L  20  
Nitrite – N(NO 2-)mg/L  2.0 
Nitrogen (total) mg/L  30 
Odour  No offensive odour  
Oil and Grease mg/L  0.5 
Organochlorine pesticides mg/L  NIL 
Organophosphorus pesticides mg/L  NIL 
pH  6.0-9.0 
Phenols (C 6H5OH) mg/L  2.0 
Phosphorus (total) mg/L  10 
Phosphate (soluble -PO 43-) mg/L  5.0 
Selenium (Se Total) mg/L  0.1 
Silver (Ag) mg/L  0.1 
Sulphate s (SO2-4) mg/L  400 
Sulphide s (as sulphur) mg/L  1.0 
Total Dissolved Solids mg/L  2000  
Temperature (0C) 25.0 – 35.00C of ambient  
Tin (Sn) mg/L  5.0 Parameter  Proposed Maximum  
permissible limits  
 
Total Suspended Solids mg/L  250 
Turbidity NTU  300 
Vanadium (V) mg/L  0.2 
 Zinc (Zn) mg/L  5.0 
Radioactive materials (micro curie/ml  Alpha emitters (10-7) 
Beta emitters (10-6) 
 
aGeneral for both domestic and industrial discharge  
 THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANCES  ARE PROHIBITED FROM BEINGDISCHARGED INTO  
PUBLIC TO SEWERS  
 
 
1,1,1, -trichloroethane (C 2H3Cl3) Toluene (C 7H8) 
1,1,2. -trichloroethylene (C 2HCl 3) Styrene  (C8H8) 
1,1, 2, -trichloroethane (C 2H3Cl3) Methyl tert -butyl -ether(MTBE) (CH 3)3COCH 3 
1,2-dichloroethane (C 2H4Cl2) Nonane(C 9H20) 
1,3-dichloropropene (C 3H4Cl2) Octane (C 8H18) 
Cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (C 2H2Cl2)  1,2,4 -Trimethylbenzene(C 9H12) 
Dichloromethane (CH 2Cl2)  Furan ( C4H4O) 
Benzene(C 6H6) Tetrahydrofuran -THF (CH 2)4O 
Tetrachloroethylene (C 2Cl4)  DMF (N,N -Dimethylformamide) C3H7NO 
Tetrachloromethane (CCl 4)  Turpentine  (C10H16) 
Tricholoroethylene  (C 2HCl 3)  polybrominated Diphynyl Ether  (C12H(10−x)BrxO) 
Isobutanol (CH 3)2CHCH 2OH Decane (C 10H22) 
Ethylbenzene C 6H5CH 2CH 3 Xylene(o,m,p) C 6H4(CH 3)2  
Hexane (C 6H14) Heptane (C 7H16) 
Methyl Ethyl Ketone CH 3C(O)CH 2CH 3 Methyl Isobutyl  Ketone (CH 3)2CHCH 2C(O)CH 3 
Diethyl Ether(CH 2H5)2O Dimethyl Sulphide(CH 3)2S 
Dimethyl Sulphoxide (CH 3)2SO  
All Flammable solvents  PCBs  
Radioactive residues   
 Regulation  4(1) 
 SEVENTH SCHEDULE  
PETROLEUM REFINING EFFLUENT STANDARDS  
 
Parameter  Proposed Maximum permissible  
limits  
 
Ammonia Nitrogen mg/L  5.0 
pH  6- 9 
BOD 5 mg/L  30 
Benzene mg/L  0.05 
Benzo(a)pyrene mg/L  0.05 
COD mg/L  150 
Chromium (Cr (total) mg/L  0.5 
Chromium (Cr+6) mg/L  0.05 
Copper (Cu)mg/L  0.5 
Cyanide (CN)  
Total mg/L  
Freemg/L   
1.0 
0.1 
Iron ( total)mg/L  3.0 
Lead (Pb)mg/L  0.01 
Mercury (Hg)mg/L  0.02 
Nickel(Ni) mg/L  0.5 
Total nitrogen mg/l  10 
Oil and Grease mg/L  2.0 
Free oil  Nil  
Phenol (C 6H5OH) mg/L  0.02 
Sulfides (S 2-) mg/L  0.5 Parameter  Proposed Maximum permissible  
limits  
 
TSS mg/L  30 
Total Nitrogen mg/L  10 
Total Phosphorus mg/L  2.0 
Temperature increase °C  ±30C of ambient temperature  
Vanadium (V)mg/L  1.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
regulation 4(1) 
 
EIGHTH SCEDULE  
OIL AND GAS EXPLORAT ION AND PRODUCTION EFFLUENT STANDARDS  
 
Effluent  Parameters  Proposed Maximum 
permissible limits  
 
Drilling Fluid  1. Free oil  
 Nil    
 
Produced water  1. TOC mg/L  
2. pH 
3. BOD 5  mg/L  
4. BTEX  mg/L  
5. COD mg/L  
6. TSS  mg/L  
7. TDS  mg/L    
8. Oil and grease  mg/L  
9. Phenols mg/L  
10. Sulphides mg/L  
11. Cyanide (total) mg/L  
12. Heavy metals (total)  
Arsenic, cadmium, 
chromium, copper, lead, 
mercury, nickel, silver, 
vanadium, and zinc.  mg/L  
13. Chlorides mg/L  10 
6 – 9 
25 
0.0 
125 
35 
300 
10 
0.5 
1.0 
1.0 
 
 
 
 
5.0 
1200  
   
Hydrotest water  1. TOC mg/L  
2. pH 
3. BOD 5 mg/L  
4. BTEX  
5. COD mg/L  
6. TSS mg/L  
7. TDS  
8. Oil and grease  mg/L  
9. Phenols mg/L  
10. Sulphides mg/L  
11. Cyanide (total) mg/L  
12. Heavy metals (total)  
Arsenic, cadmium, 
chromium, copper, lead, 10 
6-9 
25 
0.0 
125 
35 
300 
10 
0.5 
1.0 
1.0 
 
 
 Effluent  Parameters  Proposed Maximum 
permissible limits  
 
mercury, nickel, silver, 
vanadium, and zinc.  mg/L  
13. Chlorides mg/L  
  
5.0 
1200  
 
   
Completion and well- 
workover fluids  1. TOC mg/L.  
2. pH 10 
6 – 9 
   
Stormwater drainage  1. Oil& grease  mg/L  
2. Process oil  mg/L  10 
Nil 
   
Cooling water  Temperature 0C ≤30C at edge  of zone of 
mixing . If mixing zone is not 
defined, use 100m from 
point of discharge  
   
Sewage  All parameters for effluent 
discharge. See fourth schedule  Effluent Standards as per 
fourth schedule  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
regulation 4(1) 
NINTH SCHEDULE  
 
WASTEWATER TEST METHODS  
 
Parameter  all mg/l except 
pH) Test method  
1.1,1,1, -trichloroethane mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 62 10 (APHA, 1998)  
1,1,2. -trichloroethylene mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 62 10 (APHA, 1998)  
1,1, 2, -dichloroethane mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 199 8).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 62 10 (APHA, 1998)  
1,2-dichloroethane mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 62 10 (APHA, 1998)  
1,3-dichloropropene mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C,  6210 (APHA, 1998)  
Aluminum (Al) mg/1  ISO10566/12020 , 3500 -AL B (APHA 1998), 3500 -Al C 
(APHA, 1998)  
Ammonia Nitrogen (N -NH 3) 
mg/1  Automated  phenate method 4500 -NH 3 G.(APHA,1998); ISO 
1195: Part I 5664  
Arsenic (As) mg/1  3500 -As B . AAS method (APHA , 1998). 3500 -As A .ICP 
(APHA,1998)  
Barium (Ba) mg/1  3500 -Ba. B. AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Ba. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
Benzene (C 6H6) Purge and trap technique 6040 C, 6200 (APHA, 1998)  
Beryllium (Be) mg/1  3500 -Be B. AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Be B. ICP 
(APHA,1998)  
BOD 5 mg/1  5-Day test method 5210 B (APHA, 1998)  
BTEX  6040 C,6200(APHA,1998)  
Boron(B) mg/1  4500 -B.B Curcumin method  (APHA,1998).  4500 -B.C 
Carmine method  (APHA,1998).  
Cadmium (Cd) mg/1  3500 -Cd. B. AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Cd.C.  AAS. 
(APHA,1998).  
Calcium (Ca) mg/1  3500 -Ca. B. AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Ca. C. AAS. 
(APHA,1998).  
Chloride (Cl-) mg/1  4500 -Cl- C. Argentometric  method  (APHA,1998). 4500 -Cl 
D. Potentiometric method  (APHA,1998).  Parameter  all mg/l except 
pH) Test method  
Chlorine -residual  4500 -Cl C. Idiometric method  (APHA,1998).  4500 -Cl D. 
Titration method  (APHA,1998).  
Chromium (total) (Cr) mg/1  3500 -Cr. B. AAS. (APHA,1998).  
Chromium (Cr+6) mg/1  3500 -Cr. D. Colorimetric method. (APHA,1998).  
Cis-1,2-dichloroethylene mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 6210 (APHA, 1998)  
Cobalt (Co) mg/1  3500 -Co.B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Co. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
COD mg/1  522 B. Open Reflux method. (APHA,1998). 522 C. Closed 
Reflux  titrimetric method. (APHA,1998).  
Coliform Organisms counts  
/100ml  9223 B. Chromogenic substrate Test. (APHA,1998).  
Colour TCU  2120.B. (APHA,1998).  
Copper (Cu) mg/1  3500 -Cu. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Cu.C.ICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
Cyanide CN mg/1  4500 -CN- E Colorimetric method. (APHA, 1998)  
Detergents mg/1  5540 C .(MBAS). (APHA,1998.  5540 D.(CTAS). 
(APHA,1998.  
Dichloromethane mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 6210 (APHA, 1998)  
Fluoride (F -) mg/1  4500 -F C. ISE. Method. (APHA, 1998).  4500 -F D. SPADNS. 
Method. (APHA, 1998).  
Iron (Fe) mg/ 1 3500 -Fe. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Fe. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998). 3500 -Fe. B.  phenanthroline method - 
colorimetric. (APHA,1998).  
Lead (Pb) mg/1  3500 -Pb. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Pb. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998). 3500 -Pb. D.  Dithizone  method. 
(APHA,1998).  
Magnesium mg/1  3500 -Mg. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Mg. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
Manganese (Mn) mg/1  3500 -Mn. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Mg. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
Mercury total (Hg) mg/1  3500 -Hg. B.  Cold -Vapour Atomic Absorption method. 
(APHA,1998). 3500 -Mg. C.  Dithizone  method 
(APHA,1998).  
Nickel (Ni) mg/1  3500 -Ni. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Ni. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
Nitrate -N (NO 3-)mg/1  Automated cadmium reduction method 4500 -NO 3- F(APHA, 
1998)  Parameter  all mg/l except 
pH) Test method  
Nitrite – N(NO 2-) mg/1  Automated cadmium reduction method 4500 -NO 3- F(APHA, 
1998)  
Nitrogen (total) mg/1  Persulphate digestion method 4500 -N C, (APHA,1998) and 
the automated cadmium reduction method 4500 -NO 3- 
F(APHA, 1998)  
Oil and Grease mg/1  5520 C. Partition Infrared Method. (APHA,1998  
pH  4500 -H+ B. Electrometric Method. (APHA,1998).  
Phenols (C 6H5OH) mg/1  6420 B. LLEGC method. (APHA,1998).  
Phosphate (total) mg/1  Persulphate digestion method 4500 -P B.5C, (APHA,1998 and 
the automated ascorbic acid reduction method 4500 -P F. 
(APHA,1998)  
Phosphate (soluble)PO 43 mg/1  Automated ascorbic acid reduction method 4500 -P F. 
(APHA,1998)  
Selenium (Se) mg/1  3500 -Se. C.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Se. D. Colorimetric. 
(APHA, 1998).  
Silver (Ag) mg/1  3500 -Ag. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Ag. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
Sulphate (SO 42-) mg/1  4500 -SO 42- B. Ion chromatography  method  (APHA,1998). 
4500 -SO 42- E. Turbidimetric  method  (APHA,1998).  
Sulphide mg/1  4500 -S2- D. Methylene Blue  method  (APHA,1998). 4500 -S2- 
E. Idiometric  method  (APHA,1998).  
TDS mg/1  2540 C. TDS dried at 1800C. (APHA,1998).  
Temperature  - 
Tetrachloroethylene mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 6210 (APHA, 1998)  
Tetrachloromethane mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 6210 (APHA , 1998)  
Tin (Sn) mg/1  3500 -Sn. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998).  
Total Suspended Solids mg/1  2540 -D (APHA,1998), ISO 11923  
Tricholoroethylene  mg/1  6040 b GC method. (APHA, 1998).  Purge and trap technique 
6040 C, 6210 (APHA, 1998) . (APHA, 1998)  
Turbidity NTU  2130  B. Nephlerometric method.  
Vanadium (V) mg/1  3500 -V. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -V. C.  ICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
 Zinc  (Zn) mg/1  3500 -Zn. B.  AAS. (APHA,1998). 3500 -Zn. CICP. 
(APHA,1998).  
 
 
   
 
 
      regulation 1 6 
 
TENTH SCHEDULE  
 
CURRENCY POINT  
 
A currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand shillings.