Glossary of terms

The doing of anything whereby any water is removed or diverted by mechanical means, pipe or any engineering structure or works from any part of the water environment, whether temporarily or permanently, including anything whereby the water is so removed or diverted for the purpose of being transferred to another part of the water environment, and includes—

1. the construction or extension of any well, borehole, water intake or other work by which water may be abstracted; and
2. the installation or modification of any machinery or apparatus by which additional quantities of water may be abstracted by means of a well, borehole, water intake or other work.

The support of a bridge or culvert at the banks of a river or loch.

An adjuvant is a substance other than water that does not have significant pesticidal properties, but which enhances or is intended to enhance the effectiveness of a pesticide product.

Inert granular materials such as sand, gravel or crushed stone used to make concrete.

Has the same meaning as defined in The Animal By-Products (Scotland) Regulations 2011.

The applicant is the person who’s in control of the activity being applied for and whose name will appear on the authorisation should the application be granted. An agent or employee may submit an application on behalf of the applicant, but to do so they must have the authority to act on their behalf.

Request for a new authorisation or a change to an existing authorisation. 
An application may be made up of several forms, supporting information, and must include the correct fee (if applicable).

A type of crossing that typically has a steel, concrete or masonry arch or semi-circular shape that is supported on foundations on one or both banks. No part of the structure (including the foundations) is on or under the bed.

Equipment (plant) used to mitigate the effects of emissions.

A body of water created by human activity in a location where no significant waterbody existed before, and which has not been created by the direct physical alteration, movement or realignment of an existing waterbody (includes canal and lades).

A mixture of dark bituminous pitch with sand or gravel, used for surfacing roads.

Abstractions are considered to be associated if they are operated as a single scheme. This is the case where the abstractions are linked by common pipe or distribution networks to feed a single factory, treatment works or power station. This also includes a number of mobile plants operated by one person or by one company.

The document provided to applicants by SEPA, authorising the activity applied for.

The unique reference allocated to an authorisation.

Any person to whom a permit or registration has been granted, or transferred, and any person in control of carrying on a regulated activity, subject to conditions or general binding rules, or which has been notified to SEPA.

A person can include an individual, sole trader, company, partnership, public body, charity, cooperative, incorporated and unincorporated organisations.

The place the activity is authorised.

A structure placed inside a culvert to deflect the flow of water, can provide resting areas for fish, helping fish passage.

The side of a watercourse or loch between and including the bank toe and bank top.

The height of the bank of a watercourse or loch measured vertically from the bank toe to the bank top, including any artificial heightening of the bank (e.g. embankments, retaining walls).

The lowest point on the bank of a watercourse or loch, where the bank meets the bed of the watercourse or loch.

The first major break in the slope of the bank of any watercourse or loch.

• This is considered the point beyond which cultivation or development is normally possible. Where there is no clear break in slope the bank top is considered to be the height of the average annual flood level in a watercourse.
• in relation to lochs where there is no clearly definable bank zone the bank top is the line along which terrestrial vegetation is present (this often equates to the average high-water level in a loch).

Any alteration of the slope of the bank of a river, burn, ditch or loch.

Any works between and including the bank top and the bank toe.

With regard to industrial activities a statement of the condition of the soil and groundwater at the authorised place, focusing on the relevant hazardous substances. 

A combination of methods, equipment, training and practices designed to prevent, or where prevention is not possible, reduce emissions from the installation.

The range of emission levels that are typically achieved under normal operating conditions when using techniques described in the BAT Conclusions (BATc) for an industrial sector.

An annex to the BAT reference document (BRef) that sets out the conclusions on BAT and associated emission levels that industrial sectors are required to comply with.

A document which describes BAT for a specific industrial sector. This can include European or UK BAT.

Any source of electrical energy generated by direct conversion of chemical energy and consisting of one or more primary battery cells (non-rechargeable) or one or more secondary battery cells (rechargeable, an accumulator) but does not include:

1. equipment connected with the protection of essential security interests, arms, munitions and war material, with the exclusion of products that are not intended for specifically military purposes, or
2. equipment designed to be sent into space.

Any applicable Scottish, UK or EU guidance relating to the best available treatment, recovery, and recycling techniques (BATRRT) for Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

The lower part of the bank of a loch (note in some cases the beach may form all of the bank)

The base of the watercourse, between the toe of one bank and the toe of the opposite bank.

The base of the loch extending from the deepest part of the loch to the edge of the ‘normal’ loch water level. 

The straight-line distance that is between the opposite bank toes of a river, burn or ditch, and which spans the bed of the river, burn or ditch, including any exposed bars and vegetated islands.

• Bed width can be measured as an average along the length of the stretch to be worked or can be based on one measurement of a width that is representative of the stretch.

The zone that exists beyond the “in the vicinity” zone away from the watercourse or loch. 

Particles that contain living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses or parts of living organisms, such as plant pollen, spores and endotoxins from bacterial cells or mycotoxins from fungi.

1. vegetable waste from agriculture and forestry;
2. vegetable waste from the food processing industry, if the heat generated is recovered;
3. fibrous vegetable waste from virgin pulp production and from production of paper from pulp, if it is co-incinerated at the place of production and the heat generated is recovered;
4. cork waste;
5. wood waste with the exception of wood waste which may contain halogenated organic compounds or heavy metals as a result of treatment with wood preservatives or coating and which includes, in particular, such wood waste originating from construction and demolition waste.

The total weight of fish, in tonnes, held on site at any one time.

Biodegradable garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste from households, offices, restaurants, wholesale, canteens, caterers and retail premises and comparable waste from food processing plants and listed in Table 1 of standard conditions for registration level activities in Section 1.2.16, 1.2.17 and 1.2.18 of this consultation.

A rock with a width greater than 256 millimetres.

The placing of one or more boulders in rivers to manipulate flow.

A span structure used for crossing a watercourse or loch. The structure can sometimes be supported on piers.

An area adjacent to the watercourse, left uncultivated - often fenced off. 

Any undertaking arranging the recovery or disposal of waste on behalf of others, including such brokers who do not take physical possession of the waste.

The process of trapping carbon dioxide from industrial processes, or directly from the air for either utilisation or long-term storage

The percentage of CO2 emissions captured from the specific emissions stream that the capture technology is applied to.

Chemical Abstract Service Number - a unique number assigned to chemical substances.

An elevated transport route constructed across lochs or wetlands. 

Portland cements, high alumina cements and other powders used as cementitious materials which may be blended with other materials including for example: pulverised fuel ash (PFA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGFS), in accordance with British or European Standards. 

The area between the bank top on one side of a river, burn or ditch and the bank top on the opposite side. It includes the banks and bed of a watercourse, including any exposed sediment bars and vegetated islands.

A term used to cover a range of different alterations that will affect some or all of a river channel’s course, planform, cross-sectional form or gradient. It includes diversion, realignment and re-sectioning (including culverting for land gain).

The straight line distance between opposite bank tops of a river, burn or ditch and which spans the bed and banks of a river, burn or ditch, including any exposed bars and vegetated islands.

In respect of waste, means waste which may contain halogenated organic compounds or heavy metals as a result of treatment with wood preservatives or coating and which includes, in particular, such waste originating from construction and demolition waste. 

Sediment with a particle of diameter < 0.002mm.

A culvert with an artificial base (typically pipe or box culverts).

A thick black liquid produced by distilling bituminous coal, containing benzene, naphthalene, phenols, aniline, and other organic chemicals. Asphalt waste containing coal tar is considered to be hazardous waste where the level of coal tar is >0.1%. Asphalt waste containing coal tar is considered to be hazardous waste where the level of coal tar is >0.1%. 

Sediment with a particle diameter greater than 2mm.

Water (other than groundwater) within the area extending landward from the 3 mile limit up to the limit of the highest tide or, where appropriate, the seaward limits of any bodies of transitional water, but does not include any water beyond the seaward limits of the territorial sea of the United Kingdom adjacent to Scotland. 

Sediment with a particle of diameter 64mm to 256mm. 

1. The use of waste as a regular or additional fuel in a co-incineration plant;
2. The thermal treatment of waste for the purposes of disposal in a co-incineration plant.

The gathering of waste, including the preliminary sorting and preliminary storage of waste for the purposes of transport to a waste treatment facility.

Means any technical apparatus in which fuels are oxidised in order to use the energy generated.

A release of water below an impoundment in order to mitigate environmental harm.

Combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel with a sufficient supply of oxygen to ensure only carbon dioxide and water are produced. Incomplete combustion would result in carbon monoxide also being produced.

The autothermic and thermophilic biological decomposition and stabilisation of biodegradable waste under controlled aerobic conditions that result in a stable sanitised material that can be applied to land for the benefit of agriculture, horticulture, or ecological improvement.

The construction and maintenance of site surfaces including, but not limited to, roads, tracks, footpaths, hardstanding for gate access, parking or equipment storage, construction site access and site preparation. Construction includes any land preparation, demolition work or ground remediation required prior to construction taking place.

Sewage sludge which:

1. has been treated in a process which has been demonstrated to be capable of achieving at least a 99% reduction (a 2 log10 reduction) in pathogens, and
2. contains no more than 100, 000 Escherichia coli per gram dry solids.

Any structure which is constructed and installed for the purpose of supporting a footpath, cycle route or transport route across any river, burn, ditch or loch or any pipe, pipeline or cable which crosses over or underneath any river, burn, ditch or loch, but excluding temporary crossings, impounding works and culverts installed for land gain.

A type of flow deflector structure placed in rivers or lochs can manipulate flow.

Permanent under-grounding of watercourses for land gain e.g. building a housing development on top of a watercourse. Excludes culverts for river crossings (e.g. where a transport route crosses a watercourse. 

Any undertaking which acts in the role of principal to purchase and subsequently sell waste, including such dealers who do not take physical possession of the waste.

A component of bridge forming the surface of road.

The process by which SEPA decides whether or not to grant an authorisation.

The period within which SEPA must determine an application.

Material remaining after anaerobic digestion of biodegradable feedstock including whole digestate (mixture of liquor and fibre), liquor, and separated fibre.

In relation to Schedule 20 and 23 emission activities, all other activities on the same installation that have a technical connection to the regulated activity and could have an effect on emissions and pollution.

The process of redirecting part or all of the flow of a watercourse from its original course into an entirely new channel.

Includes houses and individual caravans.

The removal of bed material from watercourses from >50% of the channel width, and usually the entire channel width. 

Any industrial or commercial activity using volatile organic compounds to clean garments, furnishing and similar consumer goods excluding the manual removal of stains and spots in the textile and clothing industry.

A purpose built enclosed dry-cleaning machine.

An internal combustion engine which uses compression ignition and operates according to the Diesel cycle when burning liquid fuels and according to the Otto cycle when burning gaseous fuels. Dual Fuel combustion plant is capable of burning more than one fuel without a significant change to the setup, for example, natural gas and diesel.

Suspended solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air which may be deposited on surfaces and may cause air pollution and/or nuisance.

The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018

A mixture consisting wholly of or containing liquid produced from the storage of any feedstock, the storage of digestate, the treatment process and rainwater or groundwater emanating from an effluent collection system or drain. 

A mixture consisting wholly of or containing liquid produced from the storage of any forage crop or other feedstock, and rainwater or groundwater emanating from an effluent collection system or drain.

An artificial bund raised above ground level used to stop floodwaters from leaving the channel or retain floodwaters within a specified area. Embankments can be situated on the bank top or set back on the floodplain.

The direct or indirect release of a substance, vibration, heat or noise from individual or diffuse sources from the authorised activities into air, water or land.

The mass, expressed in terms of specific parameters, concentration or level of an emission, which must not be exceeded during one or more periods of time. 

Sewage sludge which:

1. has been treated—
   1. in a process which has been demonstrated to have achieved at least a 99.9999% reduction (a 6 log10 reduction) in pathogens, or
   2. where before treatment the sewage sludge had a mean concentration of less than 108Escherichia coli per gram dry solids, in a process which has achieved the requirements in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c),
2. contains no more than 1000 Escherichia coli per gram dry solids, and
3. is free from Salmonella

The processing of dead fish and fish offal by maceration and preservation in formic acid.

1. harm to the health of human beings or other living organisms.
2. harm to the quality of the environment, including: 
   1. harm to the quality of the environment taken as a whole,
   2. harm to the quality of air, water or land, and
   3. other impairment of, or interference with, ecosystems,
3. offence to the senses of human beings,
4. damage to property, or
5. impairment of, or interference with, amenities or other legitimate uses of the environment.

The carrying out, operation or maintenance of any activity which is, in the view of SEPA, solely for the benefit of the environment, not being for commercial purposes or in implementation of a statutory duty.

1. any accident which has caused or could cause environmental harm; or
2. any malfunction, breakdown or failure of plant, infrastructure or techniques which has caused or could cause environmental harm; or
3. force majeure or action taken to save human life or limb.

Land occupied as a unit for agricultural purposes.

An underground system of pipes and channels designed to remove surface and sub-surface water from a given area of land. Field drains should only run intermittently, primarily after prolonged periods of rainfall. Field drains do not include ditches.

Sediment with a particle diameter less than 2mm.

Any structure or feature, including a ladder, fish way or lift which facilitates the passage, upstream or downstream, of fish around, over or through an obstacle to fish passage.

An additional flow route that diverts high flows from one location and returns them to a different location to reduce overbank flows; normally associated with flood management projects. 

An area of land over which a watercourse will spill in flood/spate, i.e. periodically inundated part of a river valley floor.

Flow deflector is a structure projecting out into the river channel or loch to deflect the current/flow. 

A graph showing the percentage of time that the flow exceeds certain values.

Any crop grown as food for livestock or for use in energy production.

River or loch crossing on the bed where vehicles can pass through a shallow section of water. May have a natural substrate or be reinforced with artificial material. 

The vertical distance between the crest of a tank, container or lagoon and the digestate surface. 

Means any solid, liquid or gaseous combustible material.

Any emission released to the environment in the course of the activity other than through a single identifiable source.

An internal combustion engine which operates according to the Otto cycle and uses spark ignition to burn fuel. 

A set of mandatory rules that cover specific low risk activities. Activities complying with the rules do not require an application to be made to SEPA. 

Sediment with particle of diameter from 2mm to 64mm.

Water which is below the surface of the ground in the saturation zone and in direct contact with the ground or subsoil.

A type of flow deflector structure placed in rivers or lochs. 

The water level at which an abstraction must cease or reduce.

Ground that is surfaced with a durable and hard material to create a level, load-bearing and permeable surface that:

1. does not accumulate rainwater or water run-off and,
2. is not susceptible to rutting or potholes.

Substances or mixtures as defined in Article 3 of the Hazardous Substances Regulations 2008. 

Has the same meaning as ‘special waste’ in Regulation 2 of The Special Waste Regulations 1996.

(in relation to an impoundment) - the height as measured from the downstream toe of the impoundment structure to the crest or top of the spillway.

Where there is more than 400 times dilution in the receiving watercourse. 

The average water level typically reached during wet periods.

A surface constructed of impermeable material to a standard sufficient to prevent the transmission of liquids beyond the surface. Should be read in conjunction with the term ‘sealed drainage system’. 

Means:

1. synthetic rubbers, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) and butyl
2. plastics, including polyvinyl chloride, low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene, and 
3. reinforced geomembranes.

Means;

1. any dam, weir or other works by which water may be impounded; or
2. Any works diverting surface waters in connection with the construction or alteration of any dam, weir or other works falling within (a) above.

Raising the level of an existing natural loch is also considered an impoundment. NB: A pond or lake created by excavation below the pre-existing ground level (e.g. a dug pond or flooded quarry) is not included.

‘On-line’ impoundments hold back flows in the water environment (wetlands, rivers, artificial water bodies, lochs and estuaries) and consequently affect downstream water flows, sediment transport and migration of fish.

‘Off-line’ impoundments are built to store water (including surface run-off, groundwater, or land drainage) and are not on-line (as above). 

Incised is the deepening of a river channel due to erosion of the bed. 

Having the authority and ability to ensure authorisation conditions or general binding rules are complied with.

Activities that are included the following schedules of EASR:

• schedule 19 (industrial emissions activities), 
• schedule 20 (schedule 20 emissions activities), 
• schedule 21 (operating a large combustion plant),
• schedule 22 (incineration and co-incineration of waste at a waste incineration plant or waste co-incineration plant)
• schedule 23 (organic solvent emissions activities)
• schedule 24 (titanium dioxide activities)

For a watercourse, this is the zone that extends away from the bank top for a distance of 10 metres or two channel widths (whichever is shorter).

For a loch, this is the zone that extends 10 metres away from the bank top.

Waste which:

1. does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biological transformations;
2. does not dissolve, burn or otherwise physically or chemically react, biodegrade or adversely affect other matter with which it comes into contact in a way likely to give rise to environmental pollution or harm to human health; and
3. has insignificant total leachability and pollutant content and ecotoxicity of its leachate are insignificant and, in particular, does not endanger the quality of any surface water or groundwater.

All standing or flowing water on the surface of the land (other than transitional water) within the landward limits of coastal water. 

1. All standing or flowing water on the surface of the land (other than transitional water), and
2. all groundwater, 

within the landward limits of coastal water.

A stationary technical unit where one or more schedule 20 or organic solvents activities are carried out and any other directly associated activities on the same site.

Any structure that occupies a portion of the bed of the river, burn, ditch including bed reinforcement, jetties, platforms, marinas, croys, groynes and other flow deflectors, but excluding temporary structures, bridge piers and impounding works.

Any structure that occupies a portion of the bed of the loch including bed reinforcement, jetties, platforms, marinas, croys, groynes and other flow deflectors, but excluding land gain, temporary structures, bridge piers and impounding works. 

A device or mechanism for connecting or coordinating the functioning of different components e.g. a door lock that will not unlock when the dry-cleaning machine is running.

Has the same meaning as that in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for “invasive species of plant out with its native range”.

Has the same meaning as those in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for “invasive species of plant out with its native range” and “invasive species of animal out with its native range.”

The lowest internal point of a culvert (floor of culvert).

Joint Agency Groundwater Directive Advisory Group

A partnership of UK and Ireland environment agencies and other stakeholders set up to interpret and support the implementation of the GWD.

Where a step has formed in the river channel and there is a sudden change in bed level. 

A gravity fed and predominantly open, continuous artificial channel or stream leaving a watercourse and re-entering the water environment at a downstream location.

A series of subsoil pipes or ditches, which are designed to drain an area of land to allow development or for agricultural use.

The artificial raising of land. 

A combustion plant with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 50 megawatts.

To be constructed of impermeable material of sufficient strength and structural integrity such that it is unlikely to burst or leak in its ordinary use.

The left bank of a watercourse when facing downstream.

In relation to Anaerobic Digestion means any aqueous material excluding sludge. 

The liquid storage and management system engineering plans submitted as part of the application.

An impermeable system designed to contain liquid, comprising the base(s) and walls of liquid feedstock, digestate or effluent storage tank(s), lagoon(s), pit(s), vessel(s), tower(s) plus any connected channels, pipes and valves. which:

1. has sufficient capacity to accommodate contaminated run-off (including any rainfall) that directly or indirectly enters the liquid storage and management system and the volume of digestate produced during periods when application is not authorised under activity 18 of column 1 of Schedule 9 of the Regulations or would not comply with the requirements of the Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2008;
2. has an effluent tank which is at least:
   1. for a feedstock storage tank, lagoon, pit, vessel or tower with a capacity of less than 1500m³, 20 litres for every 1m³ of silo capacity; or
   2. for a feedstock storage tank, lagoon, pit, vessel or tower with a capacity of 1,500m³ or greater, 30,000 litres plus 6.7 litres for every 1m³ of silo capacity over 1,500m³.
3. is protected against corrosion in accordance with paragraph 7.2 of the Code of Practice on Buildings and Structures for Agriculture published by the British Standards Institution and numbered BS 5502-50:1993+A2:2010
4. is capable of withstanding characteristic loads calculated on the assumptions and in the manner as set out in paragraph 5 of the Code of Practice on Buildings and Structures for Agriculture published by the British Standards Institution and numbered BS 5502-50:1993+A2:2010;
5. where the system incorporates a system of pumps and sumps, it must be fitted with an automatic overfill prevention device with a dedicated electrical supply and an alarm;
6. if new, reconstructed or enlarged on or after 1 January 2022, has a life expectancy of at least 20 years, with proper maintenance, from its construction, reconstruction or enlargement;
7. where the liquid digestate storage tank is fitted with a drainage pipe—
   1. there must be two valves in series on the pipe and each valve must be capable of stopping the flow of liquid digestate through the pipe and must be kept shut and locked in that position when not in use,
   2. sub-paragraph (i) does not apply in relation to a liquid digestate storage tank which drains through the pipe into another liquid digestate storage tank of equal or greater capacity or where the tops of the tanks are at the same level.

Any waste in liquid form including waste waters but excluding sludge.

The list of waste established by Commission Decision 2000/532/EC replacing Decision 94/3/EC establishing a list of wastes pursuant to Article 1(a) of Council Directive 75/442/EEC on waste and Council Decision 94/904/EC establishing a list of hazardous waste pursuant to Article 1(4) of Council Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste, as amended from time to time.

A body of standing inland water.

Where there is between 5 and 50 times dilution in the receiving watercourse

Liquified Petroleum Gas.

An impoundment across a watercourse that is associated with an abstraction or where the upstream water level can be raised or lowered due to the operation of sluice gates, valves etc.

A bend in the river formed by natural river processes e.g. erosion and deposition.

A technique using a specialised pipe and cable laying plough to cut a temporary narrow channel into which pipes or cables are fed and simultaneously pushes the spoils removed back into the cut channel, eliminating the need to backfill.

Where there is between 51 and 400 times dilution in the receiving watercourse.

A combustion plant with a rated thermal input equal to or greater than 1 megawatt and less than 50 megawatts.

The maximum amount of nitrogen that can be applied to land as calculated using the provisions in The Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2008.

Includes cafés, caravan sites, offices, bed and breakfast, holiday lets, hotels.

The water level that occurs for a large part of the year when the loch is not experiencing high water levels. Higher than the minimum water surface elevation.

Operation of authorised activities excluding start-up and shut-down periods.

A disease named in section 88 of the Animal Health Act 1981, or an Order made under that Act.

Specific low-risk activities that require the person undertaking the regulated activity to notify SEPA.

Any part containing or covered with any mineral-based or synthetic lubricating or industrial oil.

An open channel with artificial bed and banks, e.g. constructed of concrete, brickwork, pitched or grouted stone.

Activities that are included in schedule 26 (other emissions activities), schedule 27 (operating a medium combustion plant) and schedule 28 (petrol vapour recovery activities) of EASR.

Nitric oxide expressed as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and nitrogen dioxide, expressed as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).

A soakaway with an overflow to surface water 

An impoundment across a watercourse that is not associated with an abstraction of water and where the water level cannot be varied. Typically the sole purpose is to raise the water level upstream of the structure.

A measure of how long it takes liquid to filter through the surrounding soil. 

A level of authorisation that may contain standard and bespoke conditions that apply to a regulated activity. 

Any substance, preparation or organism prepared or used for destroying any pest. 

Any gaseous compound which evaporates from petrol.

A catchment of a freshwater loch which is at risk of significant nutrient enrichment. These are the catchments of: 

• Loch Leven (Perth and Kinross Council). ·

• Lunan Lochs (Perth and Kinross Council).

• Loch Flemington (Highland Council). 

In-channel supports of a multi-span bridge.

Products, in the form in which they are supplied to the user, consisting of, or containing, active substances, safeners or synergists, and intended for one of the following uses:

1. protecting plants or plant products against all harmful organisms or preventing the action of such organisms, unless the main purpose of these products is considered to be for reasons of hygiene rather than for the protection of plants or plant products;
2. influencing the life processes of plants, such as substances influencing their growth, other than as a nutrient; 
3. preserving plant products; 
4. destroying undesired plants or parts of plants, except algae unless the products are applied on soil or water to protect plants; or  
5. checking or preventing undesired growth of plants, except algae unless the products are applied on soil or water to protect plants.

damage caused to soil and land by the trampling of livestock.

Single, identifiable source of emission.

A discrete area of deeper, slower-moving section of the water. Pools are often found between faster-flowing stretches called riffles or runs.

The maximum daily organic biodegradable sewage load. A population equivalent of one has a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 60 grams of oxygen per day, which is equivalent to one person in a domestic property.

A type of crossing that consists of a rigid frame made up of a horizontal beam and two vertical columns (an upside down U shape) supported on foundations on one or both banks. 

Checking, cleaning or repairing recovery operations, by which products or components of products that have become waste are prepared so that they can be re-used without any other pre-processing.

Where engineering works have taken place in the past to change a natural channel planform into a straighter, more uniform shape where the lines of the bank tops are parallel, or near parallel throughout its length. These channels will generally have little variation in cross-sectional form. 

An area designated under International (Ramsar sites), European (Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA)) or National (Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)) legislation, to provide protection of their notable natural features or biodiversity. This legislation places duties on SEPA to assess whether activities we regulate would harm these sites. 

A loch where the surface water level has been increased above its natural level. This is typically due to the installation of a physical structure, such as a small dam or an embankment, which raised the level of the outflow from the loch.

The rate at which fuel can be burned at the maximum continuous rating of the appliance multiplied by the net calorific value of the fuel and expressed as megawatts thermal.

Crude or processed material that can be converted by manufacture, processing or combination into a new and useful product. 

Modifying the planform and/or gradient of an existing channel between two points. 

A person who may be in a position to exert control over the carrying on of the regulated activity such as an employee of the applicant/authorised person or a director of the company which is the applicant or authorised person.

One of the criteria we take into account when deciding if a person is a fit and proper person to hold an authorisation.

Any operation, including storage, the principal result of which is waste serving a useful purpose by replacing other materials which would otherwise have been used to fulfil that function, in the plant or in the wider economy and includes, but is not limited to, the activities listed in Annex II of the Waste Framework Directive.

Any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original purpose or for other purposes, including reprocessing of organic materials, but excluding energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations.

A level of authorisation containing standard conditions that apply to a regulated activity.

An activity to which EASR applies. 

Reshaping a bank to improve its stability and potential habitat value (usually by reducing the slope and making the shape asymmetric).

Modifying the channel’s cross-sectional shape, but without altering its location and planform.

Artificial storage places for water (e.g. ponds, impoundments and raised lochs) from which the water may be withdrawn for such purposes as electricity generation, irrigation or water supply. 

Energy, water and raw materials required by the process. 

Any operation by which products or components are used for their original purpose. 

A facing of impact-resistant material (such as stone, concrete, wood etc.) applied to a river or loch bank to protect it from erosion.

A shallow, fast flowing section of water with a distinctly disturbed surface forming upstream-facing unbroken standing waves, usually over a gravel substrate. 

The right bank of a watercourse when facing downstream.

Angular stone placed to protect banks from erosion.

The area of land extending from the bank top or the limit of terrestrial vegetation and capable of directly influencing the condition of the aquatic ecosystem (e.g. by shading and leaf litter input).

Water run-off includes any water from rainfall (or any meltwater from ice or snow) that flows over (or horizontally through) the surface of the ground and any matter (for example soils) that are picked up by that water as it does so.

Special Area of Conservation designated under The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994 (the Habitats Directive) as being of Community importance.

Special Protection Area designated under the European Wild Birds directive and included within the list of sites designated as SACs. 

Site of special scientific interest, designated as such under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and preceding legislation.

Sediment with a particle of diameter between 0.063mm to 2mm.

Sediment where all particles have a diameter less than or equal to 2mm 

Activities listed in Part 3 of schedule 26 of EASR which need to meet additional requirements. These activities were previously referred to as ‘Domestic Part A Activities’ and include:

• Thermal treatment of carbon fuels for charcoal or treatment of fuels
• Loading, storage or treatment of crude oil or stabilised crude petroleum
• Purifying, refining or conversion of mineral oil and gas, coke, coal or other fuels
• Loading, handing and storage of iron or
• Casting foundry
• Producing, melting or refining iron or steel or alloys
• Melting, refining and casting foundry more than 5 tonnes
• Processes emitting cadmium
• Removing asbestos from railway vehicles
• Manufacturing cellulose fibre reinforced calcium silicate board
• Halogen production
• Release of hydrogen halides
• Use or release of hydrogen cyanide or hydrogen sulphide
• Processes using mutagenic elements or their compounds
• Activity which may result in the release into the air of any acid forming oxide of nitrogen
• Processes that may release ammonia into air
• Distilling or heating tar of bitumen
• Tyre manufacturing using raw materials

Erosion of river banks or bed, often due to the presence of a structure.

A container which is fully enclosed, weatherproof, does not allow any solid or liquid content to escape and is lockable.

In relation to an impermeable surface, a drainage system with impermeable components which does not leak and which will ensure that:

1. no liquid will run off the surfaces otherwise than via the system; and
2. except where they may be lawfully discharged, all liquids entering the system are collected in a sealed sump.

A sewage treatment system that treats sewage to a higher standard than a septic tank. It normally involves biological treatment and secondary settlement to reduce the biodegradable organic matter.

Natural material of which the bed of a watercourse or loch is made (includes sand, silt, clay, gravel, cobbles and boulders).

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Any person who is authorised in writing by SEPA under section 108 of the Environment Act 1995.

As defined in section 59(1) of the Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968.

1. residual sludge from sewage plants treating domestic or urban waste waters and from other sewage plants treating waste waters of a composition similar to domestic and urban waste waters;
2. residual sludge from septic tanks and other similar installations for the treatment of sewage;
3. residual sludge from sewage plants other than those referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) 

The permanent or temporary cessation of all or part of a process.

Sediment with a particle of diameter between 0.002mm and 0.063mm

Describes the condition of the authorised place, including identifying pollutants and soil and groundwater contamination, and providing information on past and present uses of the sit

A by-product of the anaerobic digestion process with a suspension having a high solids content.

A type of infiltration system for the treatment and dispersion of effluent into the ground.

Underside of bridge deck or highest internal point of a culvert. 

Any one or more of the following— 

1. provision of required plant nutrients to the soil;
2. provision of organic matter to the soil;
3. improvement of the chemical properties of the soil;
4. improvement of the physical properties of the soil; 
5. reduction of any soil moisture deficit, for the purpose of enhancing plant growth, but does not include the creation of new soils as part of the restoration of former industrial land.

A set of conditions that must be complied with. SEPA are required to publicly consult on these conditions before applying them to certain activities. 

The starting or re-starting of all or part of a process either for the first time or following shut-down.

Where one or more schedule 20 activities or organic solvent activities are carried on.

Where the solvent distillation takes place and solvent is then condensed to allow the solvent to be re-used.

Storage, in relation to waste, includes the keeping, managing, and depositing of waste. 

Includes a lagoon, pit (other than a reception pit), vessel or tower used for the storage of feedstock, digestate and effluent.

Any volatile organic compound (VOC) which is used for any of the following:

1. alone or in combination with other agents, and without undergoing a chemical change, to dissolve raw materials, products or waste materials;
2. a cleaning agent to dissolve contaminants;
3. as a dissolver; 
4. as a dispersion medium;
5. as a viscosity adjuster; 
6. as a surface tension adjuster;
7. as a plasticiser; 
8. as a preservative

Where volatile organic compound means:

1. any organic compound having a vapour pressure of 0.01 kPa or more at 293.15K or having a corresponding volatility under particular conditions of use, or 
2. the fraction of creosote having a vapour pressure of 0.01 kPa or more at 293.15K.

In relation to a sealed drainage system, the container in which all liquid collects and must:

1. hold at least:
   1. for a single container, 110% of its capacity.
   2. or for two or more containers, the greater of:
      1. 110% of the capacity of the largest container; or
      2. 25% of the capacity of all containers together.
2. catch all spills from the container(s) and related parts;
3. be leak-proof;
4. be located, and/or protected, to prevent damage as far as reasonably practicable; and
5. have any spills and/or rainwater removed as soon as reasonably practicable.

Inland water (other than groundwater), transitional water and coastal water.

The process by which an authorised person legally terminates some or all of an authorisation.

A crossing which will be removed within a period of 12 months beginning with the date on which its installation commences. 

A crossing which will be removed after the completion of the authorised activity.

A structure, excluding impounding works, which will be removed within a period of 12 months beginning with the date on which its installation commences., 

Temporary structure (for water registrations and permits) 

The legal process where an authorised person applies to handover some or all of an authorisation to another person.

A body of surface water in the vicinity of river mouths which are partly saline in character as a result of their proximity to coastal waters but which are substantially influenced by freshwater flows. 

In relation to waste activities includes the transport of that waste by road or rail or by air, sea or inland waterway but does not include moving that waste from one place to another by means of any pipe or other apparatus that joins those two places. 

A system, such as a SUD system that is used to collect and drain water run-off from one or more premises and transport it to, and discharge it into, the water environment, and may include, among other things, any surface water sewers and associated inlets, outfalls, gullies, manholes, oil interceptors, silt traps, and attenuation, settlement and treatment facilities.

Has the same meaning as "transfer note" as specified in regulation 3 (1) of the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) (Scotland) Regulations 2014.

Access by any person who is not permitted to enter the Authorised Place.

The stack height before any required increases in height are made to account for any nearby buildings.

The legal process to make a change to an existing authorisation. This could include changes to authorisation conditions, the authorised place, or activities. 

To allow air, smoke or gas to enter or leave a closed space or provide a way of doing this.

Has the same meaning as in section 75 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste, as last amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851, and read in accordance with section 75A Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Electrical or electronic equipment which is waste within the meaning of Article 3(1) of the Waste Directive including all components, subassemblies and consumables which are part of the product at the time of discarding.

A motor vehicle of any type that is waste.

The Waste Recovery Plan submitted as part of the application.

A road or track constructed of coarse stone and fine aggregate to form a tightly bound semi-impervious surface.

Includes all rivers, streams, ditches, drains, cuts, culverts, dykes, sluices and passages through which water flows and includes artificial watercourses and underground watercourses.

All surface water, groundwater and wetlands.

Water that may be ingested by humans, used in the preparation of food or drink, or used in the cleaning of materials involved in the storage or consumption of food or drink.

Soil which is at water retaining capacity, except in a forest where it means where water is visible on the soil surface

Designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent the ingress of rain and water run-off.

A container or roofed building designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent the ingress of rain and water run-off.

An overflow structure that is used for controlling upstream water level.

An area of ground the ecological, chemical and hydrological characteristics of which are attributable to frequent inundation or saturation by water and which is directly dependent, with regard to its water needs, on a body of groundwater or a body of surface water. 

The point where an exposed sediment deposit meets any water. 

The part of any watercourse or loch that is wet while carrying out works in a watercourse or loch. 

Includes any product consisting wholly or mainly of wood. 

Includes wood shavings, wood powder, wood dust, wood chips and sawdust and composite materials such as chipboard and medium density fibreboard. 

• any surface water designated by the Scottish Ministers under Regulation 3 of the Bathing Waters (Scotland) Regulations 2008) as a bathing water; or
• a buffer zone around any surface water designated by the Scottish Ministers under Regulation 3 of the Bathing Waters (Scotland) Regulations 2008 as a bathing water. The buffer zone is 1500m as measured along the coast and/or up the river unless they have been extended because bacteria die-off may not have sufficiently taken place. Where this is the case it will be detailed in the bathing water improvement plan.

• an area of coastal water or transitional water designated as a shellfish water protected area under section 5A of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (“shellfish water protected area”; or
• watercourses that drain into the protected area up to 1500m inland of the shellfish water protected area; or
• a Classified Shellfish Harvesting area where the harvesting is for common mussels, pacific oyster, common cockles, carpet clams, pullet carpet shell or surf clams. A Classified Shellfish Harvesting area is an area classified as such by the Food Standards Agency; or
• a buffer zone, as measured 1500m along the coast and/or up the river, from the Classified Shellfish Harvesting area where the harvesting is for common mussels, pacific oyster, common cockles, carpet clams, pullet carpet shell or surf clams