PL
Integrated
Report 2021

Wastewater management

  • GRI: 303-4
  • GRI: 103-1 as regards ‘Effluents and waste’
  • GRI: 103-2 as regards ‘Effluents and waste’
  • GRI: 103-3 as regards ‘Effluents and waste’

At the EPS, only Grupa Kęty S.A. discharges treated wastewater directly to surface waters. Wastewater from the chemical treatment of aluminium elements is first neutralised in pre‑treatment systems designed specifically for that purpose. The Company possesses permits required under the Water Law and limits are fully observed. The effect of organic impact results, among other things, from providing the system with separate neutralisation stations, as well as application of technical and organisational solutions that ensure the appropriate quality of produced wastewater, such as a multi-stage washing process, microprocessor-based control of reagents dosing, bath recovery, or mutual neutralisation of acidic and alkaline wastewater.

At the ASS, wastewater is discharged directly to surface waters only by ROMB S.A. The other companies discharge wastewater to the sewage systems of third-party companies, after pre-treatment at in-house neutralisation stations. At ROMB S.A., wastewater from the electroplating shop and from the processes of steel and aluminium elements cleaning is discharged, after treatment, to surface waters. Likewise, the FPS companies discharge wastewater to sewage systems of third-party companies, based on appropriate agreements.

The quantity of wastewater discharged per product dropped compared to 2020 in all segments. Specifically, significant is a decrease in the quantity of wastewater generated in chemical treatment at the ASS and discharged to surface waters by as much as 29% compared to 2021. This results from the modernisation of the in-house chemical treatment plant made in 2021 at the Złotów production plant, which brought a considerable reduction of the total quantity of wastewater discharged to surface waters.

-29%
quantity of wastewater generated y/y

All plants possess the legally required water permits. The quality of wastewater is monitored, and the limits set out in the permits kept.

The objective for all companies of the Capital Group is to maintain wastewater parameters at the lowest possible level, and optimise production processes with regard to water consumption limitation.

Effluent discharge in 2020 and 2021, by destination

Capital Group Unit 2020 2021 Change y/y
companies located in Poland        
To public sewage system m3 thousands p.a. 145 147 2%
including effluent from the chemical treatment of aluminium m3 thousands p.a. 69 71 3%
To surface waters m3 thousands p.a. 849 921 8%
including effluent from the chemical treatment of aluminium m3 thousands p.a. 531 440 -21%
other locations        
To public sewage system m3 thousands p.a. 22 19 -10%
To surface waters m3 thousands p.a. not applicable not applicable no data
Grupa Kęty S.A. Unit 2020 2021 Change y/y
To public sewage system m3 thousands p.a. 19 17 -12%
To surface waters m3 thousands p.a. 815 889 8%
including effluent from the chemical treatment of aluminium m3 thousands p.a. 504 419 -20%