Environmental Monitoring

Apex Environmental is an Approved Inspection Authority (AIA) providing expert services to businesses requiring various environmental monitoring services. We are authorised to perform a variety of environmental monitoring projects of any size and complexity.

Apex Environmental is registered in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) (SANS 1929:2005) and has been approved by the Department of Employment and Labour as a Type A, Approved Inspection Authority: Occupational Hygiene.

 

Apex Environmental is additionally accredited in accordance with the recognised International Standard ISO/IEC 17020:2012 by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).

Our state-of-the-art instrumentation and staff of experienced environmental monitoring technicians are here to ensure that your business complies with the most up-to-date South African environmental monitoring standards. Apex Environmental works with top ISO17020 accredited laboratories to ensure high-quality results across all our services.

South African Environmental Monitoring Regulations

South African Environmental Monitoring is regulated by the National Environmental Management Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA). To demonstrate that your business operates in accordance with the NEMA regulations, most industrial processes require environmental monitoring. Read more on Ways Environmental Monitoring Can Help Reduce The Carbon Footprint Of Industry .

South African Air Quality is regulated by the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 (NEMAQA). To demonstrate that your business operates in accordance with NEMAQA regulations most industrial processes require an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL). Click here to check if your business requires an AEL or to learn more about AELs. Environmental Noise Monitoring is regulated by the National Noise-Control Regulations (GN R154 in Government Gazette No. 13717 dated 10 January 1992).  Soil Sampling is regulated by the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008).  Water Sampling is regulated by the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998).  

 

International Environmental Monitoring Regulations

ISO14000 and ISO17020

ISO14001 is an international standard demonstrating a commitment to environmental management. The ISO14000 family of standards provide a framework for industry leaders required to comply with increasingly stringent climate action policies implemented by global governments. If your business is ISO14001 compliant, get in touch with us to discuss your annual environmental monitoring requirements. Click here to review the top five reasons ISO14001 certification is important and click here to view the full ISO14000 family of standards.

ISO17020 “specifies the requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspection and for the impartiality and consistency of their inspection activities.” Click to view the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Requirements.

 

Environmental Monitoring Methodologies

Apex Environmental follow national and international procedures and techniques to conduct environmental monitoring for example the ASTM D1739-70 method to measure dust fallout; the SANS 10103:2008 method to measure environmental noise; the SANS 831 method to conduct Legionella Risk Assessments.

We have over ten years of experience measuring dust fallout, environmental noise, ambient air quality, soil, and water countrywide.

eThekwini Environmental Monitoring Regulations

Apex Environmental conducts environmental monitoring in accordance with the eThekwini municipality by-laws such as the eThekwini Air Quality By-Law, 2020; the Nuisances and Behaviour in Public Places By-law, 2015; Stormwater Management By-law, 2020 as well as the eThekwini Scheduled Activities By-law. The eThekwini Scheduled Activities By-law applies to all areas which fall under the jurisdiction of the eThekwini Municipality and came into effect on 13th February 2021. The purpose of the by-law is to regulate activities that have a potential impact on the environment Scheduled activities require written permission from the municipality and are required to submit a permit to ensure compliance. If your company is undertaking a scheduled activity and you require assistance with complying with the requirements of the permit or if you require assistance with applying for the permit, please get in touch with us.

 

Apex Environmental’s Environmental Monitoring Services

For more details on each of the following services, simply click the hyperlink or get in touch with us here:

  • Ambient Air Monitoring
    • Fence-line monitoring – the purpose of the monitoring is to quantitatively determine the ambient (fence line) pollutant concentrations that could potentially be released from operations occurring on site.
  • Ambient Dust Fallout Monitoring – covers the procedure for collecting and analyzing the contents of monthly dustfall containers for total and ignited water-soluble and/or insoluble settleable particles.
  • Dust Management Plan (DMP) – Apex compiles Dust Management Plans (DMP) in accordance with the requirements of the National Dust Control Regulations (National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 2004 (Act 39 of 2004)) and to meet local authority requirements.
  • Environmental Noise Monitoring  – the assessment will focus on establishing the presence and likelihood of any Environmental Noise Impacts on residential receptors located around your site.
  • Environmental Site Assessments – involves the evaluation and reporting of existing information collected through records and document review, a site visit and interviews with environmental representatives and management.
  • Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Inspection Survey utilising US-EPA Method 21 – determines any potential leaks from any operational / process equipment, pipe work, storage tanks and vessels.
  • Legionella Risk Assessment – enables the risk to be determined and for appropriate measures to be implemented to quantify the risk (via monitoring if necessary) and to reduce or control the risk.
  • Odour Management Plan (OMP) – determines the impact that nuisance odours from industry may have on nearby sensitive receptors sites such as surrounding residential and commercial areas. The OMP allows companies to implement an action plan as employees detect an odour or when complaints are received from local businesses or residents.
  • Particulate Matter (PM) Monitoring for
    • PM10
    • PM2.5
    • Total Suspended Particles (TSP)
  • Soil Sampling – utilised to determine whether operations have contaminated the soil and the extent of the contamination.
  • Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) – aims to comply with the requirements set out in the eThekwini Municipality: Stormwater Management By-Law, 2017.
  • Water Monitoring and Water Sampling
    • Effluent – Metro Limits Sewage Disposal (Schedule A)
    • Storm Water SAGS 2013 DWAF Limits for Wastewater Discharge
    • Potable Water – SANS 241:2015 Drinking water – Treated
    • Legionella – SANS 893-1,2:2018 & SANS 11731
    • Well Testing
    • Borehole/Groundwater

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)

Apex Environmental does not conduct Environmental Impact Assessments. We can, however, advise whether your project requires an EIA or an Environmental Site Assessment. Contact us here for any related enquiries.

Other Air Quality Services offered by Apex Environmental

In addition to the services offered by our emissions testing department, the Apex Environmental Monitoring division offers the following Air Quality services:

  • Industrial Stack Emissions Testing
  • Vehicle Emissions Testing
  • Emissions Inventory

OTHER SERVICES