Consultation on new Groundwater Regulations
This consultation is now closed. The new Groundwater Regulations taking into account responses to this consultation are expected to come into force in November 2008.
Defra asked for feedback on new regulations which will improve the protection of groundwater quality in England and Wales.
What are the proposals?
The new regulations will supplement existing regulations to protect groundwater in England and Wales. The new regulations will:
- control groundwater pollution from historically contaminated land
- use general binding rules or registration schemes for low risk activities
- provide a more flexible, risk-based approach
- cover a wider range of substances.
Who will the new Groundwater Regulations affect?
The regulations will affect you if you hold:
- a groundwater authorisation
- an environmental permit or discharge consent that contains conditions about your discharges to groundwater.
Examples of activities that will be affected by the regulations include:
- landspreading of agricultural wastes
- depositing mine spoil
- handling, storing or disposing of substances such as agrochemicals and solvents.
