Effluents and spills

Effluents and spills

Effluent management
Management of water effluents is mainly related to the catchment and removal/treatment systems of civil effluents (or the like) coming from airport infrastructures and rainwater flowing from waterproof surfaces.
Catchment and removal of domestic wastewater from all buildings on airport grounds is ensured at Malpensa by a sewer system that carries wastewater to S. Antonino consortium treatment plant, and at Linate by a sewer system connected to Peschiera Borromeo treatment plant. Water drained into  sewers (black waters and treated storm waters) are subjected to systematic quality controls.
At both airports, quality of the wastewater falls within the limits set by the current environmental legislation, as shown in the tables that report the monitored parameters.

Linate - characterisation of sewer drainage

ParameterUnit of measureAverage annual value
Parameter values
Italian Legislative
Decree
152/06
  201620152014 
CODmg/l77.947.786.0500
BOD5mg/l36.723.127.0250
Total phosphorousmg/l2.11.31.010

Source: SEA


Malpensa - characterisation of sewer drainage

ParameterUnit of measure
Average annual value
Parameter values
Italian Legislative

Decree
152/06
  201620152014 
CODmg/l219.6203.5254.4500
BOD5mg/l102.487.473.1250
Total phosphorousmg/l3.33.53.310

Source: SEA


The following graph shows the wastewater drained into the sewer system, while the remaining quantities are drained on the surface by dispersion.

Water sewage discharge (m3)

De-icing treatment of aircraft during the winter, when requested by airlines, is carried out in dedicated stands equipped with a collection system for any effluents from the activity, which are treated as special waste.

Disposed de-icing liquid (tons)

 201620152014
Malpensa7015
Linate779145

Source: SEA


Storm waters from airport surfaces flow into surface water bodies (Linate) or in the superficial part of the subsoil (Malpensa). For all areas subject to regional regulations, the first rain water is separated beforehand (treated with oil removal systems and conveyed to the public sewer system).
Prior to final delivery, rainwater undergoes periodic quality checks on the parameters highlighted in the tables, with qualitative characteristics that are broadly in line with environmental standards of reference.

Linate - characterisation of surface water discharge

ParameterUnit of measurementAverage annual valueParameter values
It.Leg.Dec. 152/06
201620152014
Chromium VImg/l0.010.010.0050.2
Coppermg/l0.020.020.0060.1
Leadmg/l0.010.010.0050.2
Zincmg/l0.230.100.050.5
Total hydrocarbonsmg/l0.280.290.25.0

Source: SEA


Malpensa - characterisation of surface water discharge

ParameterUnit of measurementAverage annual valueParameter values
It.Leg.Dec. 152/06
201620152014
PhpH unit7.47.37.38.0
CODmg/l10.214.410100.0
BOD5mg/l10.010.31020.0
Total suspended solidsmg/l6.06.4525.0
Total phosphorousmg/l0.10.10.12.0
Leadmg/l0.010.010.010.1
Chromium VImg/l0.010.010.010.2
Coppermg/l0.010.010.010.1
Total hydrocarbonsmg/l0.10.10.15.0
Zincmg/l0.040.050.010.5
Total surfactantsmg/l0.20.20.20.5

Source: SEA

There are currently no water reuse systems at airports.
Along with other important European players, SEA Group is delving into many aspects related to water saving systems and the possibility of re-using rainwater, with a view to reducing groundwater extraction and rationalizing water consumption.

Spill management
We strive to act with care and ensure the proper management of potential spills. In the event of accidental spills of fuel or oil in operating areas, runways and aprons, fluids are intercepted before they enter the rainwater drainage system.
Airports have a specific procedure applicable to terminal movement areas in compliance with environmental protection standards.
In such cases, Airport Maintenance and Environmental Operations Management functions are activated to coordinate cleaning and reclamation measures in the areas concerned, and restoration of conditions of compliance and safety, after the Fire Brigade lays an adequate number of oil-absorbing panels to contain the area affected by the spill. At each airport, the waste generated in the cleaning operation is transferred to appropriate facilities of airport sanitation islands, as required by company procedures, in compliance with environmental protection and occupational safety and sanitation standards applied at both our airports.
Spills taken into consideration are those deemed to be significant, that is, those that have affected an area equal to or greater than 20 m2.

Malpensa airport has recorded an improvement for both kerosene spills and hydraulic oil spills caused by operational vehicle faults, mainly due to the old age of vehicles used by handlers working under the aircraft. Specific working groups are active for mitigating these events.