How to avoid unauthorised discharges

You must have permission from your water and sewerage company or authority before you discharge any trade effluent to the foul sewer. The following measures will help you to minimise the chances of making any discharges accidentally.

Make sure you have an up-to-date and accurate drainage plan of your site. This will help you identify the locations of all the drains and sewers and where they lead.

You should discharge all trade effluent and sewage to the foul sewer. Only discharge clean, uncontaminated water to the surface water drainage system.

Investigate using alternative materials and practices that do not produce effluents, eg reuse water for a lower grade purpose such as non-critical rinsing.

Store and handle raw materials, wastes, chemicals and fuels responsibly, so that they cannot enter the surface water and foul water drains on your site.

Ensure that you have absorbent materials, such as sand and other containment equipment suitable for the type and quantity of fuel, oil and chemicals you store and use on your site. Ensure that they are located close to where they might be needed, and that your staff know they are there and how to use them.

Report all pollution incidents as soon as they happen to your environmental regulator’s emergency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

You must also inform your water and sewerage company or authority’s trade effluent officer if you have any spills on your site.

Use impermeable upstands around foul water drain entry points to prevent accidental discharge of effluents that are not authorised by your water company or water authority. This includes contaminated surface water.

Tell your employees and contractors about your procedures for handling, disposing and discharging liquid wastes. Make sure that they comply with them.