These guidelines are an introduction to both pollution prevention and the guidance notes on this subject produced by the Environment Agency for England & Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland. These bodies are
referred to in these notes as the Agency or Agencies. Each site and potential source of pollution should be assessed individually and we advise you to consult your local Agency office. Contact details are listed at the end of these guidelines.
Note that in these guidelines the term ëoil separatorí is used. This has the same meaning as ëoil interceptorí.
1. INTRODUCTION
Businesses and individuals are responsible for complying with environmental regulations and for preventing
pollution of air, land and water. Many thousands of pollution incidents occur each year, originating from factories, farms, transport activities and even homes. Each incident is an offence and can result in prosecution as well as environmental damage. However, most cases are avoidable, given careful planning of operations, responsible waste management and suitable facilities to reduce the risk of spillage - along with simple precautions to deal with any spillages, in case they occur. Responsible waste management can ensure that you comply with the relevant regulations, while minimising waste can reduce the amount of waste produced, which in turn cuts the risk of environmental damage and the costs of waste disposal.
The series of Pollution Prevention Guidance notes (known as PPGs), of which this is the first, provides practical advice
that will help you to avoid causing pollution, minimise waste and comply with the requirements of the law. Often
the necessary measures cost little, especially if you think about them early on, for example at the design stage, and
can save you money, too. In contrast, the fines for failing to comply with the relevant regulations or the costs of
cleaning up pollution (which are recovered from the polluter wherever possible) can be very high. The guidance notes cover either a topic of relevance to many sectors, such as oil storage or the use of pressure washers, or are specific to a particular type of site, such as schools, vehicle-servicing garages or hospitals. In general, they are cross-referenced to reduce repetition; the guidance on hospitals, for example, refers to the guidance on oil
storage and does not repeat it in detail. You may therefore need several different guidance notes for any one site or
operation. Additional guidance on complying with environmental regulations is available - see Reference 1.
2. AVAILABILITY
The PPGs are published jointly by the three principal environmental regulators in the UK, and appear on the
Environment Agency and SEPA web sites. A full list of PPGs and small numbers of them can be ordered, free of charge, from the local Agency offices (listed at the end of these guidelines). Bulk supplies are also available, although
a charge to cover printing costs may be made.
3. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The Agencies are responsible for protecting ìcontrolled watersî from pollution, for preventing waste management
from polluting the environment, causing harm to human health and detriment to local amenity and for regulating
radioactive substances (except in Northern Ireland). The release of the most seriously polluting substances to water,
land or air from prescribed processes may be subject to additional regulation under the system of Integrated
Pollution Control introduced by the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
ìControlled watersî include all watercourses, lakes, lochs, canals, coastal waters and water contained in underground strata (or ìgroundwaterî), and it is an offence to pollute such waters - deliberately or accidentally. In addition, the formal consent of the Agency is required for many discharges to controlled waters, including direct discharges and discharges to soakaways. Such consents are granted subject to conditions, and are not issued automatically.
Any other waste produced on a site will be subject to the Duty of Care (Reference 2) and may also be subject to
control under the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. In addition, certain wastes are defined as ìSpecial Wastesî and are subject to more rigorous controls (Reference 3). Advice is available from the Agencies.
POLLUTION PREVENTION GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDE TO THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION:
PPG1
The Agencies are also responsible for implementing the legislation on packaging, which affects companies with an
annual turnover above £2 million and handling more than 50 tonnes of packaging per year (see Reference 4). All discharges to the foul sewer (see 4a) require authorisation by the sewerage undertaker and may be subject to the terms and conditions of a trade effluent consent.
4. SITE DRAINAGE
a. Drainage
Most existing sites will have two types of drain. Surface water drains, including land drains and most road drains,
should carry only uncontaminated rainwater, as they will lead to a local river, stream or soakaway. The foul water
drain is designed to carry contaminated waste water safely to a storage lagoon, treatment system or sewage works
for treatment. In the case of an isolated house, or a small community biological treatment plant, care should be
taken not to overload this by disposing of disinfectant or grease down the foul drain (see PPG4 ñ Reference 5). Prior
agreement from the local sewerage undertaker is required before you connect to the public foul water system.
Where significant work is being undertaken on an existing site or a new development, the Agencies encourage the
consideration of an alternative approach for surface drainage, which uses a combination of techniques known
collectively as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). This approach has significant environmental benefits and may
also have lower installation costs. See Reference 6 for further details.
b. Surface water treatment
Surface water can be contaminated with silt, heavy metals, chemicals and oil, which can be damaging in watercourses and groundwater. In many cases, it will require treatment by controlling the pollution at its source or just before the discharge point. SuDS may provide a suitable solution (see Reference 6). In areas where there is a high risk of oil pollution, it may be necessary to install an oil separator to protect the surface water system and reduce the risk of pollution. See separate guidelines for details (PPG3 - Reference 7).
c. Wrong connections
Wrongly connected effluents can cause severe pollution problems, which can be difficult to remedy. Sources of dirty
water, such as sinks and toilets, should be connected to the foul sewer and the nearest drain. Manhole covers and
gullies should be clearly marked, by colour coding, with red for foul and blue for surface water, and site drainage
plans should be readily accessible.
d. Garage forecourts and fuel delivery areas
Because of the potential for pollution from these areas, oil separation is required. Effluent resulting from the cleaning of forecourts must not be discharged to surface water drains, watercourses or soakaways. Details of surface water disposal and other potentially polluting activities are included in PPG7 ñ Reference 8.
e. Cleaning activities
Wash waters from mobile pressure washers should not be discharged to surface water drains, watercourses or
soakaways. Even if described as bio-degradable, detergents are not suitable for discharge to surface drains, so such
activities should be carried out in designated areas draining to the foul sewer (subject to the approval of the local sewerage undertaker). Alternatively, closed loop vehicle wash recycling systems are available. See PPG13 - Reference 9 for further details.
f . Sewage disposal
All foul sewage should pass to the local foul sewer if possible. If not, other arrangements should be discussed with your local Agency office (see PPG4 - Reference 5). Most alternatives will normally require the formal consent of the Agency.
g. Chemical storage areas
Drainage from such areas presents special problems and you should consult fully with your local Agency office to
minimise the pollution risks.
5. WASTE STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
a. Reduce, re-use and recycle
Methods to reduce the amount of waste generated in the first place, together with the re-use and recycling of
wastes, must be considered. There is scope for significant savings, as the costs of raw materials and waste disposal
continue to rise. Advice on waste minimisation and local initiatives can be obtained from your nearest Agency office.
Independent advice on this and on any other environmental problem is available free through the Envirowise Helpline on 0800 585794.
b. Duty of Care and waste leg islation
To prevent fly-tipping, producers of waste must ensure that it remains under their control and is passed on only to
a registered waste carrier and is accompanied by a full description. Some wastes, such as used mineral oil, are subject to the Special Waste Regulations, which impose additional controls on movement and disposal (Reference 3).
Contact your local Agency office for further advice.
c. Storage
All wastes must be stored in designated areas that are isolated from surface drains and bunded to contain any
spillages. Rubbish compactors should be covered to prevent the build-up of contaminated rainwater and drained
to the foul sewer to prevent polluting liquid entering the surface water drains. Compactor hydraulics should be
maintained in good order.
6. DELIVERIES AND SECURITY
a. Deliveries
Special care should be taken during deliveries, particularly when hazardous materials are involved. Deliveries should be supervised at all times, tanks and containers should be labelled with the nature and volume of their contents, and the levels should be checked before delivery to prevent overfilling.
b. Delivery areas
Where possible, loading and unloading areas should be roofed and drained to the foul sewer. If not, they should be
clearly marked and isolated from the surface water drainage system, either by catch-pits or sumps with isolating
valves. Cut-off valves in the drainage system and raised kerb surrounds may be needed. Delivery pipes should be
fitted with automatic cut-off valves to prevent overfilling. You are recommended to consult with the Agency.
c. Security
Vandalism and theft are frequent causes of pollution. Lockable valves should be fitted on all storage tanks, fences should be secure, and doors and gates kept locked. Where possible, materials should be stored under cover and
potential pollutants should be transferred into safe storage without delay.
7. OIL STORAGE AND PIPELINES
The storage of oil at industrial, commercial, institutional and institutional residential premises in England is to be the subject of new regulations due to be introduced in late 2000. Similar regulations for Wales and Scotland are under
consideration. These will introduce statutory minimum storage standards. PPG2 - Reference 10 covers above ground
oil storage, with the key points listed below;
a. Storage
Any oil storage tank and oil stored in drums should be sited on an impervious base within an oil-tight bund with no
drainage outlet. All fill pipes, draw pipes and sight gauges should be enclosed within the bund, and the tank vent
pipe should be directed downwards into it. Advice is available on the construction of bund walls (References 11 and 12) and the storage and disposal of used oils (PPG8 - Reference 13).
b. Pipelines
Site pipelines in an accessible position above the ground where possible, as underground tanks and pipelines may
be subject to damage and corrosion. Where a pipeline has to be laid underground, it should be corrosion resistant and placed in a protective sleeve or a duct with open grating covers for inspection purposes, and should be tested regularly. Underground pipeline connections should be minimised and, where used, should have access points for
inspection. Underground tanks and pipelines may be subject to special restrictions where there is a risk to groundwaters.
8. CONTINGENCY PLANS
Spillages and run-off water from fire-fighting may have the potential to cause enormous damage to controlled waters (see PPG18 - Reference 14). It is recommended that appropriate spill kits or absorbent materials are held on
site. It is essential that staff know what to do in an emergency. An up-to-date drainage plan should be maintained,
hazards identified and a contingency plan drawn up, giving advice on what action to take and who to inform. These
plans should be displayed clearly and regular exercises undertaken. Guidance on the development of a pollution
incident response plan and a template plan are provided in PPG21 - Reference 15.
9. CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
Detailed guidance is available on construction and demolition (PPG6 - Reference 16). It is important to note that the prior approval of the Agency must be obtained where site de-watering might result in a discharge to controlled waters. Any discharge must be free from solids in suspension, oil or other polluting materials. Silt is a non-toxic pollutant and, in the absence of other contaminants, silty water may be disposed of by pumping to the foul sewer, a settlement tank or over a grassed area. However, if any other contaminant is present, you should consult the Agency on its disposal.
10. AGRICULTURE
Agricultural activities have resulted in significant water pollution in the past, and continue to have the potential to
cause such damage unless properly managed. Detailed guidance on preventing pollution from agricultural activities is available (see Reference 17).
11. GROUNDWATER POLLUTION
Spillage, incorrect storage of chemicals or waste materials or unsuitable disposal activities can result in pollutants
seeping through the soil, causing serious harm to groundwater ñ which is a vital source of drinking water.
Chlorinated solvents are the most widespread and severe cause of groundwater pollution, and handling them
requires special care. The Agencies have strong powers to take action relating to the storage, handling, use or
disposal of certain dangerous substances posing a risk of contaminating groundwaters. The prior authorisation of
the Agency is required before you dispose of wastes containing certain dangerous substances into or onto land, and advice on this is available from your local Agency office.
12. REFERENCES
1. NetRegs - www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs
2. Waste Management - The Duty of Care - A Code of Practice Revised 1996): ISBN 0-11-753210-X:
The Stationery Office Tel. 08706 005522
3. A guide to the Special Waste Regulation: Environment Agency
A guide to the Special Waste Regulations 1996: SEPA
A guide to the Special Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998: Environment and Heritage Service
4. Producer responsibility obligations (packaging waste) Regulations 1997: SEPA/Environment Agency
5. PPG4: Disposal of sewage where no mains drainage is available
6. Sustainable Urban Drainage ñ an introduction: SEPA/Environment Agency/EHS(NI)
7. PPG3: Use and design of oil separators in surface water drainage systems
8. PPG7: Fuelling stations: construction and operation
9. PPG13: The use of high pressure water and steam cleaners
10. PPG2: Above ground oil storage tanks
11. Masonry bunds for oil storage tanks
12. Concrete bunds for oil storage tanks
13. PPG8: Safe storage and disposal of used oils
14. PPG18: Managing fire water and major spillages
15. PPG21: Pollution incident response planning
16. PPG6: Working at demolition and construction sites
17. Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air:
MAFF Publications, Telephone: 0645 556000
Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity:
The Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SERAD), Edinburgh
Water - Preventing Pollution, series of 11 leaflets: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for
Northern Ireland
References 3-16 are available from the Agency
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