EWC Code
Aqueous liquid wastes destined for off-site treatment
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
5 million tonnes/year EU-wide
Valorisation Range
€380M industrial wastewater treatment market
Primary Route
Physico-chemical treatment
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Get contacts for EWC 16 10EWC 16 10 covers aqueous liquid wastes destined for off-site treatment. This sub-chapter distinguishes 16 10 01* (aqueous liquid wastes containing dangerous substances) from 16 10 02 (non-dangerous aqueous liquid wastes), and 16 10 03* (aqueous concentrates containing dangerous substances) from 16 10 04 (non-dangerous aqueous concentrates).
This entry applies to process effluents, wash waters and liquid wastes that cannot be discharged via sewer or on-site treatment systems and require transport to an off-site treatment facility. Classification depends on contaminant identity and concentration against HP thresholds. Aqueous wastes are distinct from non-aqueous liquid wastes treated under chapters 7, 13 and 14.
Volume reduction strategies (evaporation, membrane filtration, reverse osmosis) may convert liquid waste to concentrated sludge, changing applicable EWC code. Generators must characterise all dissolved substances in the waste water matrix to enable hazard assessment. Mixing of different waste streams may create new hazardous properties (e.g. cyanide + acid generating HCN gas).
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 16 10, ranked by economic value and market depth. Physico-chemical treatment is the primary route.
Contaminated aqueous wastes treated by neutralisation, coagulation/flocculation, precipitation and DAF. Resulting clarified water discharged to sewer or watercourse under permit; sludge dewatered for separate disposal.
Biodegradable organic-laden aqueous wastes treated in industrial wastewater treatment plants using activated sludge or biofilm processes. Pre-treatment to remove inhibitors required before biological stage.
Highly contaminated aqueous liquid wastes with organic content incinerated by liquid injection into rotary kiln or liquid injection incinerator. Energy content of organics offsets fuel costs; aqueous fraction increases steam demand.
These are the established routes for EWC 16 10. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Industrial wastewater treatment plants accepting pre-treated aqueous waste
Licensed physico-chemical treatment of hazardous aqueous wastes
Collection and bulking of non-hazardous aqueous wastes for treatment
Recovery of dissolved gases or valuable components from concentrated aqueous streams
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 16 10 classification, transport, and treatment.
Aqueous wastes classified hazardous when dissolved or suspended substances cause HP1–HP14 properties. HP5 (specific organ toxicity), HP6 (acute toxicity) and HP14 (ecotoxic) commonly triggered by dissolved metals, biocides or persistent organics. Full dissolved-substance characterisation required.
Off-site treatment facilities discharging treated wastewater to surface water require IED permit or water discharge permit under WFD. ELVs for specific pollutants (metals, COD, BOD) set in permit conditions based on receiving water quality.
Generators transferring aqueous liquid waste to off-site treatment must communicate substance identity to enable safe handling at the receiving facility. SDS or waste characterisation document required. Downstream users' obligation to pass on hazard information applies.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 16 10 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 16 10 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 16 10 and related waste streams flow across European industries and sectors.
Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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