This is a working summary, not legal advice — always validate against the current published version of your local regulator's standards before submitting documentation. We update this annually.

Parameters every regulator tracks

  • pH (typically 6.0–9.0 discharge)
  • BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)
  • COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)
  • TSS (Total Suspended Solids)
  • Oil and grease
  • Total nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen
  • Total phosphorus
  • Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
  • Faecal coliforms
  • Heavy metals (zone-dependent)

By country — top-level limits (indicative)

Qatar (KAHRAMAA, MME)

  • BOD discharge to sewer: ≤300 mg/L typical industrial limit
  • COD: ≤500 mg/L typical
  • TSS: ≤300 mg/L
  • Oil and grease: ≤30 mg/L

UAE (DEWA, ADWEA, FEWA, Federal EA)

  • Dubai (DEWA) industrial-to-sewer: BOD ≤300 mg/L, COD ≤500 mg/L
  • Discharge-to-sea standards (where applicable) are tighter

Saudi Arabia (SWCC, MoEWA, RC Jubail/Yanbu)

  • Industrial-to-sewer: BOD ≤300 mg/L typical
  • RC Jubail and Yanbu have stricter sector-specific limits

Oman (Diam, MECA)

  • Industrial discharge to sewer: BOD ≤300 mg/L typical

Kuwait (MEW, EPA)

  • Industrial discharge: BOD/COD limits per EPA

Bahrain (EWA, SCE)

  • Sewer discharge standards per Supreme Council for Environment

India (CPCB and SPCBs)

  • General industrial effluent — sewer: BOD ≤350 mg/L, COD ≤250 mg/L (varies by SPCB)
  • F&B / dairy sector has specific norms
  • Discharge to surface water tighter: BOD ≤30 mg/L for major industries

Common audit triggers

  • Sudden colour change in discharge (often a syrup-room spill)
  • Elevated foam in discharge channel
  • Odour complaints from neighbouring premises
  • pH excursion (CIP chemicals leaking through ETP)
  • Visible sludge floc in clarifier overflow
  • Missed monthly compliance reports

What to fix first if you fail an audit

  1. pH excursion: tighten dosing-pump control and add neutralisation buffer
  2. High BOD/COD: check sludge age, F/M ratio, aerator function
  3. High TSS: clarifier overflow rate, sludge wasting rate
  4. Oil and grease: DAF performance, upstream segregation
  5. Coliforms: disinfection (chlorination or UV) verification