Regulations on wastewater treatment in the textile industry: Latest update

Regulations on wastewater treatment in the textile industry issued to control pollution and ensure businesses comply with environmental standards. According to the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and QCVN 40:2021/BTNMT, wastewater from the textile industry must be treated to meet standards before being discharged into the environment. Complying with regulations helps businesses avoid legal risks, reduce the risk of sanctions and ensure sustainable production operations.

Latest regulations on wastewater treatment in the textile industry

Table of Contents

What types of waste can the textile industry generate?

The textile industry is one of the fields with a large level of waste generation, significantly affecting the environment. Types of waste generated from the production process include:

Wastewater from washing, dyeing, and fabric sizing processes contains dyes, bleaches, dyeing aids, alkalis, and acids.
Wastewater from equipment cleaning and factory cleaning contains grease, fabric dust and cleaning chemicals.
Domestic wastewater from employees contains organic and microbial substances.
Exhaust gas from boilers using coal, oil or gas, contains CO₂, SO₂, NOx and dust.
Emissions from fabric sizing, drying, printing, and pressing processes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde.
Solvent vapors from the process of washing and dyeing fabrics affect air quality.
Fabric scraps, excess threads, plastic packaging, carton paper from the cutting, sewing and packaging process.
Sludge from wastewater treatment systems contains chemicals, dyes and heavy metals.
Hazardous waste such as chemical packaging, waste solvents, and greasy rags.

Regulations on wastewater treatment in the textile industry

According to QCVN 13-MT: 2015/BTNMT – National technical regulations on textile and dyeing industry wastewater, regulations on textile industry wastewater are as follows:

The maximum allowable value of pollution parameters in textile and dyeing industrial wastewater when discharged to receiving wastewater sources is calculated according to the following formula:

Cmax = C x Kq x Kf

In there:

Cmax is the maximum allowable value of the pollution parameter in textile and dyeing industry wastewater when discharged to the receiving wastewater source.
C is the value of the pollution parameter in textile wastewater.
Kq is the coefficient of the wastewater receiving source corresponding to the flow rate of rivers, streams, streams and canals; canals, ditches; capacity of lakes, ponds, lagoons; intended use of coastal waters.
Kf is the wastewater flow coefficient corresponding to the total flow of textile and dyeing wastewater when discharged to the receiving wastewater source.

Apply the maximum allowable value Cmax = C (without applying the coefficients Kq and Kf) to the parameters: Temperature, pH.

Textile and dyeing industrial wastewater discharged into the urban drainage system. Residential areas that do not have a centralized wastewater treatment plant shall apply the value Cmax = C specified in column B, Table below:

C value is used as a basis for calculating the maximum allowable value of pollution parameters in textile and dyeing industry wastewater

TT	Parameter		Unit	C value
TT	Parameter		Unit	A	B
1	Temperature		0C	40	40
2	pH		–	6-9	5,5-9
3	Color (pH = 7)	New facility	Fri-Co	50	150
3	Color (pH = 7)	The facility is in operation	Fri-Co	75	200
4	BOD5 at 200C		mg/l	30	50
5	COD	New facility	mg/l	75	150
5	COD	The facility is in operation	mg/l	100	200
6	Total Suspended Solids (TSS)		mg/l	50	100
7	Cyanide		mg/l	0,07	0,1
8	Residual chlorine		mg/l	1	2
9	Chromium VI (Cr6+)		mg/l	0,05	0,10
10	Total surfactants		mg/l	5	10

Column A of Table 1 stipulates the C value of pollution parameters in textile and dyeing industry wastewater when discharged into water sources used for domestic water supply purposes.

Column B of Table 1 stipulates the C value of pollution parameters in textile and dyeing industry wastewater when discharged into water sources not used for domestic water supply purposes.

The intended use of the wastewater receiving source is determined at the wastewater receiving area.

From January 1, 2020, the prescribed value for new establishments applies to all textile and dyeing establishments.

Coefficient Kq corresponds to capacity of the wastewater receiving source

Capacity of wastewater receiving source (V) Unit: cubic meter (m3)	Coefficient Kq
V ≤ 10 x 106	0,6
10 x 106 < V ≤ 100 x 106	0,8
V > 100 x 106	1,0

V is calculated according to the average value of the capacity of lakes, ponds, and lagoons receiving wastewater in the 3 driest months in 3 consecutive years (data from the Hydro-Meteorological Agency).

When the source receiving wastewater does not have data on the flow rate of rivers, streams, streams, canals, ditches, the coefficient value Kq = 0.9 shall be applied; Wastewater receiving sources are lakes, ponds, and lagoons without capacity data, the coefficient value Kq = 0.6 is applied.

The Kq coefficient for wastewater receiving sources is coastal seawater, saltwater lagoons and coastal brackish water.

Coastal seawater areas used for aquatic protection, water sports and recreation, saltwater lagoons and coastal brackish water apply the coefficient value Kq = 1.

Coastal waters not used for aquatic protection, sports or water entertainment purposes apply the coefficient value Kq = 1.3.

Waste flow coefficient Kf

Waste flow rate (F) Unit of measurement: cubic meter/day and night (m3/24h)	Coefficient Kf
F ≤ 50	1,2
50 < F ≤ 500	1,1
500 < F ≤ 5.000	1,0
F > 5.000	0,9

Waste source flow F is calculated according to the largest waste flow stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Environmental Protection Commitment, Environmental Protection Project, Environmental Protection Plan, or Certificate of completion of works and environmental protection measures approved by a competent authority.

When the waste flow rate F changes and is no longer consistent with the applicable Kf coefficient value, the textile and dyeing facility must report to the competent authority to adjust the Kf coefficient.

Meaning of parameters in textile industry wastewater

Sampling method and determination of parameters in textile industry wastewater

Sampling methods and determination of parameter values in textile and dyeing industry wastewater are carried out according to the following standards:

TT	Parameter	Analytical methods, standard numbers


1	Sample	– TCVN 6663-1:2011 (ISO 5667-1:2006), Water quality – Part 1: Instructions for setting up sampling programs and sampling techniques; – TCVN 6663-3:2008 (ISO 5667-3: 2003), Water quality – Sampling. Instructions for sample preservation and handling; – TCVN 5999:1995 (ISO 5667-10: 1992), Water quality – Sampling. Instructions for sampling wastewater.
2	Temperature	– TCVN 4557:1998, Wastewater – Method for determining temperature; – SMEWW 2550.B – Standard method of water and wastewater analysis – Temperature determination.
3	pH	– TCVN 6492:2011 (ISO 10523:2008), Water quality – Determination of pH.
4	Color degree	– TCVN 6185: 2008, Water quality – Testing and determining color.
5	BOD5 (20oC)	– TCVN 6001-1:2008 (ISO 5815-1:2003), Water quality – Determination of biochemical oxygen demand after n days (BODn) – Part 1: Dilution and culture method with allylthiourea supplementation; – TCVN 6001-2:2008 (ISO 5815-2:2003), Water quality – Determination of biochemical oxygen demand after n days (BODn) – Part 2: Method for undiluted samples; – SMEWW 5210 B – Standard method of water and wastewater analysis – BOD determination.
6	COD	– TCVN 6491:1999 (ISO 6060:1989), Water quality – Determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD); – SMEWW 5220 – Standard method of water and wastewater analysis – COD determination.
7	Total Suspended Solids (TSS)	– TCVN 6625:2000 (ISO 11923:1997), Water quality – Determination of suspended solids by filtering through a glass fiber filter; – SMEWW 2540 – Standard method of water and wastewater analysis – Determination of suspended solids.
8	Cyanide	– TCVN 6181:1996 (ISO 6703-1:1984), Water quality – Determination of total cyanide; – SMEWW 4500-CN – – Standard method for water and wastewater analysis – Determination of Cyanide.
9	Clo	– TCVN 6225-3:2011 (ISO 7393-3:1990), Water quality – Determination of free and total chlorine. Part 3 – Iodine titration method for determining total chlorine.
10	Crom(VI)	– TCVN 6658: 2000, Water quality – Determination of chromium (VI) – Spectrometric method using 1,5 – diphenylcarbazide; – SMEWW 3500-Cr.B – Standard method of water and wastewater analysis – Determination of chromium.
11	Surfactants	– TCVN 6622-1:2009, Water quality – Determination of surfactants – Part 1: determination of anionic surfactants by methylene blue spectrometry method.

Consulting on wastewater treatment in the textile industry

Frequently asked questions regarding wastewater treatment in the textile industry

Below are some frequently asked questions about wastewater treatment in the textile industry:

What are the characteristics of wastewater in the textile industry?

Wastewater in the textile industry is typically turbid and contains various chemicals such as dyes, bleach, stabilizers, and fiber treatment agents. It also contains high organic matter, pulp, solid waste, and heavy metals.

Why is wastewater treatment in the textile industry important?

Wastewater treatment is crucial because untreated textile wastewater can cause severe environmental pollution. The chemicals in the wastewater can harm aquatic ecosystems, human health, and degrade water resources.

Can textile wastewater be reused after treatment?

After treatment, textile wastewater can be reused for certain purposes such as irrigation, cooling equipment, or other industrial processes that do not require fully clean water. However, it must be ensured that the reused water does not contain harmful chemicals.

How can textile wastewater cause pollution?

If not treated properly, textile wastewater can pollute water sources, affect the quality of drinking water and water for production. Chemicals like dyes, heavy metals, and detergents can harm aquatic life and ecosystems.

What must textile businesses do to ensure proper wastewater treatment?

Businesses must invest in a wastewater treatment system, comply with legal regulations, regularly check wastewater quality, and have a plan for maintenance and upgrading the treatment system when necessary. They should also submit regular wastewater treatment reports to the relevant authorities.

Consulting on environmental permits for textile facilities

Long Phan Consulting Company provides consulting services for applying for environmental permits for textile facilities, supporting businesses in completing documents according to regulations, ensuring legal compliance and avoiding the risk of sanctions. With experience in the environmental field, we help businesses meet licensing requirements quickly, optimize costs and ensure stable operations.

Our services include:

Consulting on legal regulations on environmental permits for each type of textile and garment production.
Survey and evaluate pollution sources from wastewater, exhaust gases, and solid waste.
Prepare environmental registration documents, EIA reports, and environmental protection plans according to regulations.
Support submitting documents to competent authorities and monitoring the processing process.
Consulting and support for upgrading the environmental treatment system if it does not meet standards.
Apply to change, adjust, or extend environmental permits when there are changes in production activities.

Regulations on wastewater treatment in the textile industry require businesses to comply with environmental standards to minimize pollution and avoid risks. Long Phan provides comprehensive consulting and support services to help businesses complete procedures quickly. Contact the hotline 0906735386 immediately for detailed advice!

Dương Thị Kim Ngân

Jurist Ngan Duong Thi Kim - Partner of Long Phan, Ms. Ngan possesses profound knowledge in business consulting, labor, and contracts. With dedication and creativity, Ms. Ngân has achieved significant success in advising and supporting businesses in critical areas such as legal matters, finance, management, and contracts. She is committed to providing optimal solutions and helping clients succeed in the business environment.