Gaining Control over Indirect Discharges through Training and Collaboration

Regulatory inspectors often encounter this challenge: unwanted discharges that end up in surface water via wastewater treatment plants. Collaboration, accurate measurement, data integration, and smart enforcement tools are essential to gain control over such situations. That’s why three environmental agencies in Brabant enhanced their expertise through World Water Academy’s seven-day training course “Enforcement of Indirect Discharges”: “The instructors’ years of practical experience were a big plus!”

A Growing Need for Specialized Knowledge

One of World Water Academy’s instructors, Willie Ariëns, notes a rising demand for specialized knowledge to tackle indirect (and often illegal) discharges: “Supervision responsibilities were transferred from the water boards to the provinces over 15 years ago. As water boards have phased out these supervisory duties over time, many environmental agencies still lack sufficient specific expertise.” Adding to the urgency is the European deadline for clean surface and groundwater in 2027.

Understanding Both Equipment and Technicians

This was reason enough for the environmental services of Central and West Brabant, Southeast Brabant, and North Brabant in the Netherlands to enroll sixteen employees—from various functions—into the in-company training. The course offered in-depth sessions on topics such as the evolution of regulations, the role of water boards, and the risks posed by indirect discharges. Practical work was equally emphasized. Willie Ariëns explains: “After visiting a wastewater treatment plant, you understand how the equipment works. But you also better grasp the technicians’ world—which improves collaboration.” Another valuable part of the training: collecting and analyzing water samples. “This is uncharted territory for many. What kinds of substances end up in the sewer? More importantly: at what concentrations should alarms be raised?”

Practical Advice and Time for In-Depth Exploration

The training ends with an individual final interview based on a case study developed by each participant. Both the case work and the interview were well received by participants from Brabant, as reflected during the diploma ceremony: “You get the time to thoroughly explore a case. Plus, the instructors probe effectively and offer truly useful follow-up advice—insights you might not have considered yourself.”

The learning doesn’t stop there. Many participants expressed interest in further training—tailored specifically to the world of environmental agencies: “An environmental agency has many focus areas, such as air and soil. On a scale of 1 to 10, water often still ranks 11th. But attention to water is certainly growing.”