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
| Parameter | Unit of measure | Average annual value | Parameter values Italian Legislative Decree 152/06 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||
| COD | mg/l | 77.9 | 47.7 | 86.0 | 500 |
| BOD5 | mg/l | 36.7 | 23.1 | 27.0 | 250 |
| Total phosphorous | mg/l | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 10 |
Source: SEA
Malpensa - characterisation of sewer drainage
| Parameter | Unit of measure | Average annual value | Parameter values Italian Legislative Decree 152/06 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||
| COD | mg/l | 219.6 | 203.5 | 254.4 | 500 |
| BOD5 | mg/l | 102.4 | 87.4 | 73.1 | 250 |
| Total phosphorous | mg/l | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 10 |
Source: SEA
The following graph shows the wastewater drained into the sewer system, while the remaining quantities are drained on the surface by dispersion.
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)
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malpensa | 7 | 0 | 15 |
| Linate | 77 | 91 | 45 |
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
| Parameter | Unit of measurement | Average annual value | Parameter values It.Leg.Dec. 152/06 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||
| Chromium VI | mg/l | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.005 | 0.2 |
| Copper | mg/l | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.006 | 0.1 |
| Lead | mg/l | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.005 | 0.2 |
| Zinc | mg/l | 0.23 | 0.10 | 0.05 | 0.5 |
| Total hydrocarbons | mg/l | 0.28 | 0.29 | 0.2 | 5.0 |
Source: SEA
Malpensa - characterisation of surface water discharge
| Parameter | Unit of measurement | Average annual value | Parameter values It.Leg.Dec. 152/06 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||
| Ph | pH unit | 7.4 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 8.0 |
| COD | mg/l | 10.2 | 14.4 | 10 | 100.0 |
| BOD5 | mg/l | 10.0 | 10.3 | 10 | 20.0 |
| Total suspended solids | mg/l | 6.0 | 6.4 | 5 | 25.0 |
| Total phosphorous | mg/l | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.0 |
| Lead | mg/l | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.1 |
| Chromium VI | mg/l | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.2 |
| Copper | mg/l | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.1 |
| Total hydrocarbons | mg/l | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
| Zinc | mg/l | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.5 |
| Total surfactants | mg/l | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 |
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.