Newsletter
DRAFT REGULATIONS ON WA-TER POLLUTION CONTROL FEES
Article 11, Paragraph 1 of the Water Pollution Control Act (WPCA) requires the Environmental Protection Administration to collect water pol-lution control fees from enterprises that dis-charge wastewater or sewage into surface water bodies, from operators of underground sewer systems, and from households. On 4 November 2005, the EPA announced draft Regulations Governing the Collection of Water Pollution Control Fees, to clearly define the time of col-lection of water pollution control fees, the enti-ties from which they are to be collected, collec-tion methods, calculation methods, payment procedures, and payment deadlines.
The main points of the draft Regulations are as follows:
I.Fee payers and times of collection:
From 1 January 2006, water pollution control fees will be collected from the following enti-ties:
1.Enterprises
2.Operators of sewer systems specifically for the use of petrochemical industrial zones.
3.Operators of sewer systems specifically for the use of industrial zones.
4.Enterprises as referred to in Article 2, Subparagraph 7 of the WPCA, that have been designated as sewer system operators by the competent authorities for drains and sewers.
From 1 January 2009, the fees will also be collected from the following entities:
1.Operators of sewer systems specifically for the use of residential neighborhoods.
2.Operators of sewer systems specifically for the use of designated zones or premises other than those referred to under Point 4 above.
3.Operators of public sewer systems.
4.Households (defined as premises other than enterprises and sewer systems).
II.Fee calculation methods
Water pollution control fees for enterprises and sewer systems are to be calculated on the basis of the unit rate of charge for each pol-lutant discharged, multiplied by the water quality index of the effluent for each pollutant, and then the quantity of effluent discharged.
Water pollution control fees for households are to be calculated on the basis of the unit rate of charge, multiplied by the degree of con-centration of the effluent, and then the quan-tity of effluent discharged.
III.Chargeable categories
The following items will be charged for in water pollution control fees:
Chemical oxygen demand.
Suspended solids.
From 1 January 2009, charges will be addi-tionally levied for lead, nickel, copper, total mercury, cadmium, total chromium, arsenic, and cyanides discharged by leather tanning, metals surface treatment, electroplating, printed circuit board manufacturing, silicon wafer manufacturing, and semiconductor manufacturing enterprises, experimental, testing, chemical, and research laboratories, environmental testing institutions, and sewer systems specifically for the use of industrial zones.
If the wastewater or sewage discharged by an enterprise or sewer system of a type listed above does not contain pollutants in a particular chargeable category, application may be made to the EPA for exemption from that category of pollution control fees.
IV. Reduced fees for enterprises and sewer systems with low pollutant concentra-tions
If the concentration of a chargeable pollutant in effluent is more than 60% but not more than 80% of its maximum permitted concentration, the relevant unit rate of charge should be cal-culated at 80% of the official rate (further re-duced by 50% in 2006 and 30% in 2007).
If the concentration of a pollutant is between 40% and 60% of its maximum permitted concentration, the rate of charge should be calculated at 60% of the official rate (further reduced by 50% in 2006 and 30% in 2007).
If the concentration of a pollutant is less than 40% of its maximum permitted concentration, the rate of charge should be calculated at 40% of the official rate (further reduced by 50% in 2006 and 30% in 2007).
V.Frequency and time limits for reporting and fee payment for enterprises and sewer system operators
During January of each year, enterprises and sewer system operators should report their ef-fluent discharges and pay water pollution control fees for July to December of the previous year. During July of each year, they should report their discharges and pay fees for January to June of the current year.
For households that use mains water, water pol-lution control fees will be collected with water charges. The time limit for payment is the deadline stated on the water bill.
For households that do not use mains water, water pollution control fees will be collected along with general waste removal and disposal fees. The frequency of payment and payment deadlines are as per the relevant provisions of the Waste Disposal Act.