Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

14.14.2 Water pollution
Pollution of rivers and other water courses can produce 
very serious effects on the health of plants and ani-
mals which rely on that water supply. The Environment 
Agency, is responsible for coastal waters, inland fresh 
water and ground waters (known as ‘controlled waters’). 
The EC Groundwater Directive seeks to protect ground 
water from pollution since this is a source of drink-
ing water. Such sources can become polluted by leak-
age from industrial soakaways. Discharges to a sewer 
are controlled by the Water Industry Act that defi nes 
trade effl uent and those substances which are pro-
hibited from discharge (e.g. petroleum spirit) and the 
Water Resources Act that covers discharge consent to 
controlled waters. It is an offence to pollute any control-
led waters or sewage system. If hazardous substances 
are being used by the organization, safety data sheets 
give advice on the safe disposal of any residues that 
remain after the particular process has been completed.
The local Water Company has a right to sample 
discharges into its sewers because it is required to keep 
a public trade effl uent register. There are two lists of 
prescribed substances which can only be discharged 
into a public sewer with the permission of the Water 
Company.
Finally, if oil is stored on the premises, a retaining 
bund wall should surround the oil store. This will not 
only ensure that any oil leakage is contained but will also 
stop the contamination of ground water by fi re fi ghting 
foam in the event of a fi re. This is a requirement of the 
Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001.
14.14.3 Waste disposal
The statutory duty of care for the management of waste 
derives from Part 2 of the EPA. The principal require-
ments are as follows:
➤
to handle waste so as to prevent any unauthorized 
escape into the environment
➤
to pass waste only to an authorized person as 
defi ned by EPA