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Companies generating waste in the UK are expected to follow a complicated array of legal obligations. This includes meeting standards such as the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, and certain provisions of the Water Industry Act 1991 for any wastewater their operations produce. Not adhering to these standards can create serious repercussions for the natural environment and nearby watercourses, and result in substantial fines and reputational damage.
This guide outlines what the types of liquid waste are, how managing them effectively can protect the environment and the solutions that can help to consistently meet legal expectations.
What are the risks of not adhering to wastewater management standards?
Failing to meet legal standards for wastewater management can expose businesses to serious consequences. Risks include:
- Environmental damage: unauthorised discharges of untreated wastewater can pollute rivers, groundwater and soil, which harms ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Legal penalties: breaching the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 or the Water Industry Act 1991 can lead to enforcement action by the Environment Agency or local water authorities. Penalties may include:
- Fixed fines
- Prosecution
- Revocation of discharge consents
- Orders to cease operations
- Operational disruption: pollution incidents or compliance breaches may result in work stoppages, increased regulatory scrutiny, and the cost of emergency clean-up or remedial works.
- Reputational harm: environmental non-compliance can damage public and stakeholder trust. For businesses operating in public-facing or regulated sectors, this can affect commercial relationships and contract opportunities.
Managing wastewater responsibly helps businesses avoid these risks while maintaining compliance and protecting the environments in which they operate.
Understanding the types of waste and their effects on the environment
Businesses across construction, manufacturing, food production, and marine sectors generate various forms of liquid waste, each with specific risks and regulatory requirements.
- Wastewater, including greywater and blackwater, is produced by welfare units, equipment washdowns, and cleaning operations. It may contain chemicals, detergents, or biological contaminants. Discharging untreated wastewater without proper consent is prohibited under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 and the Water Industry Act 1991.
- Industrial wastewater originates from manufacturing and processing activities and often contains hazardous substances such as solvents, oils, or heavy metals. Industrial wastewater typically requires on-site treatment or specialist removal due to its complexity and potential to pollute.
- Leachate forms when rainwater filters through waste storage areas such as landfills, collecting hazardous compounds, organic matter, and pathogens. It poses a direct threat to groundwater and must be controlled using bunded storage or dedicated drainage systems.
- FOG (fats, oils and grease) is common in commercial kitchens and food manufacturing. When not managed through grease traps or separators, it can block sewers, contribute to fatbergs and disrupt wastewater treatment. It must be collected by registered waste carriers.
- Bilge water, found in marine and dockside operations, contains oil residues and other pollutants from vessel machinery spaces. It must be treated as hazardous waste and managed under strict environmental and maritime regulations.
How does sustainable waste management benefit the environment?
When applied to wastewater, sustainable waste management protects ecosystems, conserves resources, and supports regulatory compliance. Key environmental benefits include:
- Preventing water pollution: proper containment and treatment of wastewater, including greywater, blackwater and industrial effluent, stops harmful substances such as chemicals, detergents and pathogens from entering rivers, groundwater and coastal areas.
- Reducing the risk of soil contamination: avoiding unauthorised discharges and using sealed systems or bunded storage prevents wastewater and leachate from seeping into the ground.
- Improving efficiency in water use: recycling or reusing treated wastewater for non-potable purposes, such as equipment washdown or dust suppression, reduces pressure on mains water supplies.
- Minimising sewer blockages and infrastructure strain: effective removal of FOG through grease traps or interceptors prevents blockages, protects public sewer systems and reduces maintenance demand.
- Supporting energy recovery: treating wastewater through anaerobic digestion can generate biogas, offering a renewable energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
What wastewater management solutions can help?
Businesses across various sectors can implement effective wastewater management strategies to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and protect surrounding ecosystems.
- Waste management specialists: working with experienced waste contractors gives businesses access to the equipment, collection services, and legal documentation needed to handle wastewater correctly. Specialists can assess the type of waste being produced, recommend appropriate containment or treatment methods and arrange regular collections by licenced carriers.
- Sealed containment systems: utilising waste holding tanks and intermediate bulk containers allows for the safe collection of greywater and blackwater on sites lacking direct sewer connections. These systems are essential for temporary setups, such as construction sites and remote facilities.
- Bunded storage and controlled drainage: implementing bunded areas and controlled drainage systems helps prevent contaminated runoff and leachate from entering soil or watercourses, particularly on construction and industrial sites.
- Grease traps and FOG interceptors: installing and maintaining grease traps or FOG interceptors is important in food service and processing establishments. These devices prevent FOG from entering the drainage system, reducing the risk of blockages and environmental contamination.
- On-site treatment units: for larger operations, deploying on-site wastewater treatment units can process wastewater to a standard suitable for safe discharge or reuse in non-potable applications, such as equipment cleaning or dust suppression.
- Bilge water separators: in maritime and dockside operations, bilge water separators are employed to extract oil and fuel residues from engine wastewater before collection and disposal, in compliance with marine pollution regulations.
By using sustainable waste management practices for handling the wastewater generated by business operations, business owners can consistently protect the environment while meeting their legal waste management obligations.
