REGULATIONS
Environmental update
In this issue: water pollution, sustainable drainage systems, nitrate vulnerable zones and
tips on how to improve the environmental performance of your office.
KNOw whERE yOUR SUbSTANcES GO
If you landspread agricultural wastes, store oil, or work with What do you need to do?
agrochemicals and solvents, you’ll know how careful you have to be to n Get consent from your regulator if you plan to discharge
stop these substances polluting groundwater. but did you know that anything other than clean uncontaminated water, and make
even rainfall run-off from car parks and buildings can cause pollution? sure you comply with all of the conditions of your authorisation. If
new groundwater regulations, expected to come into force you don’t, you risk prosecution and a fine
in england and Wales this spring to replace the existing 1988 n Store and handle all materials safely, so that they cannot leak
regulations, tighten the rules on discharges and control more and risk entering the water environment. Contain all liquids
substances. the new regulations will affect you directly if you hold a - even milk and fruit juice can be polluting - and be careful with
groundwater authorisation, an environmental permit or a discharge solids, powders and dusts which can all be washed into the
consent, but every business should take precautions to prevent leaks drainage system and cause contamination
or spills which could pollute the water environment. n If there is any risk of run-off being contaminated, for example by
almost any solid, liquid or gaseous substance could pollute surface oil drips from cars or roofs contaminated by chimney emissions,
waters or ground waters if discharged, including: then make sure you get a discharge consent or groundwater
n chemicals authorisation from your environmental regulator (environment
n salt agency in england and Wales, northern Ireland environment
n wash waters agency or SePa in Scotland).
n waste products n Make a plan for emergencies: have a pollution incident response
n trade effluents plan in place and make sure your staff know what to do in case
n fuels of a spill or leak
n hot water n Check your site’s drainage system: identify the location and types
n rainwater contaminated by substances from your site. of all your drains and sewers and check that all discharges are
You are breaking the law if you allow hazardous substances to going to the right system.
enter groundwater, including many pesticides (including sheep dip) and
herbicides, many solvents, mineral oils and hydrocarbons, cadmium n Check out netRegs.gov.uk for up-to-date guides to water
and mercury. You must also prevent other pollutants including metals, pollution and oil storage.
such as zinc, lead, copper, many biocides, phosphorous, fluorides, http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/63294.aspx
ammonia and nitrates from polluting groundwater. http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/63229.aspx
SAfE dRAINAGE wITh SUdS
Surface water in built-up areas needs to be drained, but conventional n infiltration trenches
drainage systems often cannot cope with the run-off from our paved n filter drains and filter strips (strips of ground and
roads, car parks, driveways and roofs, risking flooding and pollution. trenches alongside roads and hard surfaces)
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are designed to reflect n swales (shallow drainage channels, e.g. alongside roads)
natural drainage patterns to prevent damage to the environment n detention basins (to hold back storm waters and allow
and help manage flood risk. they can even be used to create green pollutants to settle)
spaces in urban areas. n purpose built ponds and wetlands.
In england, Wales and northern Ireland, SuDS are good Many of these techniques have other environmental
practice for all developments, and are often a condition of planning benefits. Green roofs, for example, not only eliminate run-off
permission. from roof areas, but also provide heat and sound insulation,
In Scotland, SuDS are already required by law for new extend the life of your roof and provide a habitat for wildlife.
developments to control surface water run-off, unless the run-off is
from a single dwelling or is to coastal waters. Preventing pollution
they are not one solution, but a combination of techniques to Run-off from hard paving is likely to be contaminated by oil,
slow and hold back run-off close to where rainfall lands. they also organic material or toxic metals. throughout the uK, you are
help to break down pollutants, such as oil, organic matter and toxic probably committing an offence and risk prosecution if you
metals. techniques can include: pollute the water environment.
n green roofs You can use SuDS to manage run-off from large areas
n permeable surfaces of hard surfaces such as roofs and roadways, car parks and
16 SuStaInable SolutIonS april 2009
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