Trade effluent consultant report on reasonableness of conditions attached to trade effluent consent

The objective of this tender is to appoint an expert who can provide us with a written report to include:

• a.the technical grounds and justification for the consent conditions in dispute;
• b.Recommendations as to whether these consent conditions are reasonable; and
• c.If appropriate, recommended new trade effluent consent conditions.

This piece of work must be delivered by 30 October 2016, followed by a review of Draft Decision responses in early-December 2016.

In March 2016, Ofwat received an appeal from a business customer regarding the conditions attached to a trade effluent consent granted to it by Severn Trent Water Limited. Having opened a case to investigate this appeal, Ofwat has powers under section 122 of the Act to substitute or annul the disputed trade effluent conditions if appropriate.

The trade effluent consent conditions that are in dispute are:

• Daily volume (measured in m3/day); and
• Daily Chemical Oxygen Demand ('COD') load (measured in kg/day).

We are looking to appoint an expert to provide analysis on the rationale for Severn Trent Water Limited limiting the conditions in its trade effluent consent. This will include studying the technical justifications, as well as suggesting alternative solutions for the parties and recommendations.

If we fail to make a decision, or make a poor decision, there will be a negative impact on Ofwat's reputation and we may be legally challenged by either party in the dispute.