Water pollution

What can pollute water?

Almost any solid, liquid or gaseous substance entering surface waters or groundwater could cause pollution. Substances that are not usually considered harmful can cause serious damage if they are released into the water environment. 

This includes:Water pollution caused by oil spill

  • chemicals
  • salt
  • metals
  • wash waters
  • waste products
  • sewage effluent
  • trade effluents
  • sediments
  • oils, greases and fuel products 
  • paint and ink
  • detergents
  • milk and milk products
  • fruit juice
  • hot water
  • rainwater that is contaminated by substances from your site.

Most substances that businesses use and dispose of are unsuitable for discharge to surface waters or groundwater without being treated first.

If you pollute the water environment, you are probably committing an offence.

What are surface waters and groundwater?

There are different pieces of legislation that affect water. You should be aware of the following terms and their meaning:

  • Surface waters include rivers, lakes, lochs, loughs, reservoirs, ponds, streams, canals, ditches, coastal waters and estuaries.
  • Groundwater is all water below the surface of the ground in the saturation zone, ie below the water table.
  • Controlled waters are all surface waters, coastal waters and ground waters (this is groundwater and all water in the ground above the saturated zone ie above the water table).