Oslo

Ullevålsveien 68
Postboks 750 Sentrum – 0106 Oslo
Sentralbord 23 21 60 00 – Faks 23 21 60 01
postmottak@vetinst.no

Ref: Vår ref. Dato 23. August 2017

APPROVAL OF DISINFECTION METHODS AND EQUIPMENT FOR AQUACULTURE

IN NORWAY

1. Introduction

The basis for the approval of disinfection methods and equipment is “The regulation
relating to disinfection of intake water to and effluent water from aquaculture related
operations» («Water treatment regulation, FOR 1997-02-20-192»). This regulation states
that, intake water to hatcheries and smolt farms, and wastewater from slaughters /
processing plants, as well as transport water (i.e well boats) are to be disinfected using
approved methods and equipment.

According to the «Water treatment regulation», article 8, the Norwegian Veterinary

Institute (NVI) may approve upon application, methods and technical equipment for
disinfection of intake water and wastewater in aquaculture.

In order for a disinfection method to be approved, there is a requirement for a 3 log10 -

inactivation (= 99, 9 %) of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and ISA-virus.
Efficacy data has to be supported by acknowledged, scientific experiments under relevant
conditions (e.g. water quality, temperature, etc.). Data for virucidal efficacy could
alternatively be based on IPNV studies (showing conditions for 3 log10-inactivation).

The basic (minimum) requirements for the disinfection equipment are the following safety
functions:

- Safety device ensuring sufficient disinfectant «concentration» (e.g.

mg/l, mWs/cm2, oC) and residence time (according to the approved method).
- Safety precautions against system breakdown and/or other functional
defects.

- Installation of a recording unit for logging of information about

disinfectant «concentration», residence time (or water flow) and alarms.

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2. The approval procedure

To reduce the number of approvals, the Ministry of Agriculture has established a system
based on type approval of disinfection equipment. Manufacturers of disinfection
equipment (or their Norwegian representatives) apply to NVI for a type approval. After a
theoretical evaluation of the proposed method and technical equipment, a temporary
approval may be granted for a limited period (usually 6 months). During this period the
equipment should be tested comprehensively by an independent 3 rd party. Based on a
report from the 3rd party on the performance of the equipment (stability, defects, safety
functions, alarms etc.), a final type approval may be granted. If a final type approval are
granted, the producer may market, sell and install the equipment, without having to
apply for an approval for every new installation.
There is also a possibility for approval of single installations that is disinfection equipment
not covered by the type approval. This is typically disinfection systems specially designed
for a customer, or disinfection systems based on existent equipment (tanks, channels,
pumps etc.) at the aquaculture establishment. Single installations are to be approved by
the NVI, based on the same requirements as for type approved disinfection systems
(method efficacy, safety functions etc.). In contrast to type approved disinfection systems,
there is no requirement for a testing period for single installations. Instead, the approval is
based on the theoretical evaluation and a comprehensive inspection / control (performed
by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority together with the supplier) of the disinfection
equipment (residence time, safety functions, alarms etc.) These single approvals are only
valid for the single/unique installation at the given location.

The applications should as a minimum contain information about the following:

 Description of the disinfection method (principle and dose)

 Pretreatment of the water prior to disinfection
 Specifications of the safety functions
 Technical spesifications (dimensioning data, flow capacity, materials, drawings
etc.)
 Operating and maintenance manual

3. Requirements for approved disinfection systems

As described in the text above, the «Water treatment regulation» lay down requirements
for the disinfection methods and the technical equipment.

3.1. Disinfection methods

Based on the above mentioned requirements and results from experiments performed
under relevant conditions, the following methods are pre-approved:

Approved methods for the disinfection of wastewater from salmon slaughteries:

 Addition of formic acid to pH 4,0, minimum residence time 24 hours

 Addition of formic acid to pH 3,5, minimum residence time 8 hours

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  Addition of sodium hydroxide to pH 12,0, minimum residence time 24 hours
 Chemical precipitation and filtration of organic material followed by UV
irradiation, UV-dose 25 mWs/cm2.
 Chemical precipitation or filtration of organic material, followed by chlorination
of waterphase, initial hypochlorite-concentration 50 mg/l, minimum residence
time 15 minutes and total residual chlorine 10 mg/l.
 Heat treatment at

65 oC for 10 minutes
70 oC for 5 minutes
75 oC for 4 minutes
80 oC for 3 minutes
85 oC for 2 minutes
90 oC for 1 minute
95 oC for 45 seconds
100 oC for 30 seconds

Approved methods for the disinfection of intake water to hatcheries/smolt farms:

 Filtration of the water, followed by UV-irradiation, UV-dose 25 mWs/cm2

 Ozonation of water, residual ozone concentration 0,1 mg/l after a minimum
residence time of 3 minutes.

If other methods are to be approved, they have to fulfil the requirement for a 3 log 10 -
inactivation ( = 99,9 %) of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida and ISA-virus
(alternatively IPN-virus). Experiments at relevant conditions should show what dose
(concentration and contact time) is needed for a 3 log 10 reduction of these model
pathogens.

3.2. Disinfection equipment

It is difficult to give a set of detailed requirements for the disinfection equipment. The
requirements vary with the type of disinfection principle (i.e. method). Thus, in the
following text, only the basic and general requirements for disinfection equipment are
presented. The idea behind this is that there are various ways to fulfil these
requirements. By giving such general requirements, we don’t favour one solution over
another.

General requirements for disinfection equipment:

 Pretreatment prior to disinfection. The minimum requirements are:

- for intake water, filter/strainer with mesh 300 m
- for wastewater, filter/strainer with mesh 1000 m .

Dependent on disinfection method, more stringent requirements regarding

pretreatment of the water could be made.

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  Safety device ensuring sufficient residence time. This could be a pump, valve or
flowmeter ensuring that the water flow does not exceed the maximum flow
capacity. For batch systems, a timer connected to a valve (for recording the
residence time and controlling the outlet valve) is essential.

 Safety device ensuring sufficient disinfectant «concentration». This is dependent

on the disinfection method. Temperature (heat treatment systems), pH
(acid/base systems), UV-dose (UV disinfection systems), total residual oxidants
(ozone /chlorine systems) must be measured continuously. Common for all
systems; if the «concentration» drops below a preset level (according to the
approved method), an alarm is activated and the water flow stopped. It is
important that the instruments are calibrated correctly.

 Safety precautions against system breakdown / functional defects. This is a very

wide formulation. Dependent on the degree of safety we find necessary, a wide
range of safety measures can be required. Examples here are backup-systems,
duplication of critical components, alarms, extra tanks for collection of
undisinfected water in case of breakdown etc.

 Installation of a recording unit, logging information about disinfectant

«concentration», residence time (or water flow) and alarms. Alternatives here
are a printer or a computer saving information on a file. This is essential for
monitoring the performance of the disinfection system, and to document/verify
that it is operated according to the requirements given in the approval (annual
control).

 Bypass of water are not allowed. Possible existent bypass pipes are to be sealed.

 For all disinfection systems there are a requirement for an operational and
maintenance manual.

In addition to requirements for methods and equipment, there are also operational
requirements. Examples here are control of the equipment (daily), keeping a journal,
collecting watersamples, maintenance etc.

Best regards

Semir Loncarevic
Senior Scientist, PhD DVM

Norwegian Veterinary Institute

Postboks 750 Sentrum
0106 Oslo
t 23 21 62 48 / m 922 22 465
semir.loncarevic@vetinst.no / www.vetinst.no

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