Mar 17 2008
We are reminding businesses in the construction and demolition industry to plan carefully to prevent pollution of watercourses - and avoid costly clean up bills and fines. New pollution prevention guidelines aim to offer construction businesses simple steps they can take to assess potential problems and identify ways to prevent any incidents.
Silt, oil and chemical spills from construction and demolition works can all pollute watercourses - which includes lakes, reservoirs and canals. Poor waste management, such as incorrect storage of hazardous waste such as oil and solvents, can also result in water pollution.
Steve Wenham, technical advisor at the Environment Agency, said: ‘In 2006, the construction industry was responsible for 271 pollution incidents, causing environmental damage, of which 123 were to water. Of these, 18 incidents were serious enough to cause significant damage.
‘These incidents are not only damaging to our environment, but can leave the responsible company with an expensive clean up bill. Under the law, those who pollute our environment have to pay the clean up costs. Where there has been serious pollution, the Environment Agency will prosecute, which can lead to heavy fines.’
The new guidance PPG 5: Works and maintenance in or near water is a simple check list for all construction works near watercourses which include lakes, reservoirs and canals. They can all be polluted by silt, oil and chemical spills. Also poor waste management can have a major impact on the water environment – for example, improper storage of hazardous wastes like oils and solvents could lead to them escaping into water.