EA Guide to Minimise Pollution
How can I minimise pollution of surface waters and groundwater?
1. Storage and Handling of Materials
Store and handle raw materials, wastes, chemicals, salts and fuels in a responsible way, so that they cannot enter surface waters and groundwater.
All above-ground storage tanks, drums and containers should be stored on an impermeable base within a bund. The bund should be constructed of material impermeable to the liquid being stored. Click on the link below for more information:
In England, if you store oil (such as petrol, diesel, vegetable, synthetic or mineral oil) in a container with a storage capacity of over 200 litres (44 gallons) then you may need to comply with the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001.
In Scotland, there are proposals for new legislation to regulate Oil Storage.
Water Environment Oil Storage (Scotland) Regulations 2006: A Consultation Paper including Draft Regulations: Paper 2005/36
In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales you should still consider meeting the requirements of the Oil Storage Regulations, as they are designed to prevent contamination of the water environment which would be an offence under other legislation.
Loading and unloading areas should be designated, marked and isolated from the surface water drainage system. Where this is not possible, surface water drains should be protected by using sandbags, mats or other devices.
Install drip trays or other forms of containment beneath any equipment that is likely to leak or result in spillage of pollutants. Empty these on a regular basis so that they do not overflow; the contents of the trays may need to be disposed of as Hazardous/Special Waste.
Hazardous/Special Waste
2. Oil Interceptors
All surface water runoff from refuelling areas should be isolated from general yard drainage and drained to an oil interceptor. You may need permission from your Environmental Regulator/ Water Company/ Water Service/Scottish Water to discharge the wastewater from your oil interceptor or equivalent treatment system. Click on the link below for more information:
Remember that interceptors are only designed to remove some oils and fuels from water; they do not remove other pollutants e.g. heavy fuel oils, chemicals or dust.
Remember that all the interceptors on your site need to be regularly maintained. Maintenance should include inspection and removal of the accumulated oil as necessary and removal of the sludge from the bottom of the tank; this sludge may need to be disposed of as Hazardous/Special Waste. Sludge is deemed Hazardous/Special Waste where oil content is greater than 0.1% w/w. Interceptors should always be left partially full of water after cleaning, to ensure that they continue to work effectively.
Hazardous/Special Waste
Divert clean, uncontaminated, roof water to discharge directly to the surface water system so that it does not pass through any oil interceptors.
3. Drainage
Make sure you have an up to date and accurate drainage plan available at all times. This will identify the locations of all existing drains and sewers in and around your site, and where they lead. When making a discharge to a drain or sewer, always check that you are connecting to the correct system; all trade effluent and sewage to the foul sewer, clean uncontaminated surface water to the surface water drainage system.
Paint drainage system manhole covers, gullies and grills on site in a recognised colour coding system (i.e. blue for surface water drains and red for foul water drains). This will help you to identify where any discharge or spillage will end up. Click on the link below for further information:
Develop and implement a system for routinely inspecting and testing oil separators, effluent treatment plants, storage tanks (both above and below ground), impermeable surfaces, drains, bund walls and any pollution prevention equipment.
Ensure that roof water drainpipes discharge to the surface water system via direct drain points or sealed top entry gullies. Open gullies or grates should not be used since these may allow contaminants into the system.
When constructing or surfacing car parks or other external hard surfaces, check with the Environmental Regulator to establish their requirements with respect to spills and surface water run-off, e.g. provision of interceptors.
In areas without mains drainage, direct domestic sewage to a private treatment facility such as a septic tank or packaged treatment plant. The majority of these will require a Discharge Consent from your Environmental Regulator.
4. Accidental spills
Have a Pollution Incident Response Procedure for dealing with spillages and use it in conjunction with your drainage plan. Ensure that all staff on site are aware of the procedure and how to implement it. Click on the link below for further information.
PPG21 Pollution incident response planning - February 2004 (Acrobat, 115KB, 1 min)
Ensure that you have adsorbent materials and other containment equipment suitable for the type and quantity of fuel, oil and chemicals you store and use on site. Ensure that they are located close to where they might be needed, that your staff know they are there and how to use them properly.
In the event of a pollution incident affecting or likely to affect surface waters or groundwater, report it IMMEDIATELY via the Environmental Regulator's emergency hotline (0800 807060). If quick action is taken it may be possible to contain the spillage within the drainage system and prevent pollution occurring.
5. Site Security
Make your site/premises and storage areas secure.
Take all necessary precautions to prevent intruders or other unauthorised personnel from being able to discharge pollutants from your site/premises into surface waters or groundwater e.g. by tampering with or puncturing containers of chemicals, oils or other fluids. You may be liable for any pollution which results from the acts of third parties. Note that proximity or otherwise to a river is not relevant as the surface water drainage system can convey pollutants there.
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