1. Home
  2. Regulation
  3. Authorisations and compliance
  4. EASR authorisations
  5. Water activities
  6. Discharges

Back to Discharges

  • Discharge of all other effluent

Discharge of all other effluent

Table of contents
Select a section to jump to:
Select a section to jump to:

This activity applies to the discharge of effluents not otherwise described by other activities including:

  • Trade effluent
  • Discharges from mines and quarries
  • Discharges from water treatment works

Authorisation level

Permit

Public consultation

We may publicly consult on applications that, due to their nature or location, have higher likelihood of environmental impact and community impact.

Read more about public participation and engagement

Fit and Proper Person tests

Fit and Proper Person tests apply to this activity. You will be asked in your application if you have any relevant convictions held by you or any additional persons.

Read more about Fit and Proper Person tests

Fees and charges

An application fee applies to the application of a new authorisation for this activity.

An annual activity fee may apply to this activity.

Read our charging information for further information on application and annual activity fees.

Information on the application fees to transfer, vary or surrender a permit that authorises this activity, is in our charging information.

Permit conditions

Permits may contain both standard conditions and conditions specific to the activity and location. The conditions of your permit will be decided when we assess your application. This is to ensure that the appropriate limits and controls are in place to minimise pollution and protect the environment.

If you carry out an activity under a permit authorisation you must comply with the conditions set out in your authorisation. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.

SEPA will not authorise this activity if it poses an unacceptable risk to the environment.

How to apply

In this section you can find out how to apply for a new authorisation and how to apply for a variation, transfer and surrender of an existing authorisation.

New applications

You can apply for a new permit for this activity using our digital application service.

If you are applying for new permit, we would encourage you to contact us with any pre-application enquiries before submitting your application.

Step 1: Download your activity form

You will need to download and complete the following activity form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

Step 2: Provide supporting information

For a new permit, you will also need to provide the following supporting information:

  • Location plan
  • Details on why you are unable to connect to the public sewer
  • Non-technical summary of your application
  • Details on the process or operation that will generate the effluent
  • Details of the effluent
  • A map detailing springs, wells, or boreholes used for private water supply (if required)
  • Details on measures you will take to protect the water environment
  • Details on effluent treatment (if required)
  • Details on how mechanical failure of treatment system will be detected (if required)
  • Required information for discharge to land via a full soakaway (if required)
  • Details on each substance in the effluent (if discharging to a watercourse, freshwater loch, sea, or an estuary)
  • Modelling report (if discharging to sea or estuary)

Step 3: Submit using our digital application service

You can submit your completed application using our digital application service.

Make an application for a new authorisation

You can apply to vary an existing permit for this activity.

Step 1: Download your variation form

You will need to download and complete the following variation form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

Step 2: Submit your application for a variation

Make an application to vary an authorisation

You can apply to transfer an existing permit for this activity.

Step 1: Download your transfer form

You will need to download and complete the following transfer form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

Step 2: Submit your application

Read Transfer an existing authorisation to find out how to submit your application for a transfer

To apply to surrender an existing permit that authorises this activity, read Surrender an existing authorisation

Help and guidance