9420.pdf

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Terms of Reference
In September 1993 Environment Canada - Supply and Services Canada, Pacific
Directorate retained NovaTec Consultants Inc. (NovaTec) to carry out a study and to
prepare a Guide for Best Management Practices for process water management at fish
processing plants in British Columbia.
Fish processing is a major industry in British Columbia and the liquid wastes from such
production constitute a significant load to either the municipal sewage collection and
treatment systems or the surface waters into which the plants discharge their wastes. A
document was needed to provide a reference source and technical guidance to minimize
potential environmental impacts cost-effectively.
The scope of the study as defined in the Terms of Reference is to:
● collect and summarize available literature and case information in the
area of fish processing technology, wastewater treatment, and waste
disposal practices at fish processing facilities throughout the world,
and specifically in British Columbia;
● summarize the available information on wastewater treatment
technology in the context of best available technology appropriate to
fish processing;
● summarize and analyze the present practices used within the Lower
Fraser Basin including an assessment of the applicability of different
components at other facilities within the Basin and elsewhere in the
province;
● summarize the size, economic value, diversity, profitability, and
trends within the British Columbia fish processing industry, and
assess the probable impact of various investments, and present case
studies.
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