Pollution

The Environment Agency

Pollution Prevention Control and Compliance

Industrial sites can produce clear benefits for our society but can also pose environmental threats through pollution. The Environment Agency has to ensure that industry complies with regulations and the terms of its permits, but we also need to work in partnership with businesses to encourage best practice and positive environmental initiatives. This is where our Pollution Prevention Control (PPC) teams come in.

Our PPC teams influence the environment in a positive way - not just making a difference in the short term, but also influencing future trends in areas such as air and water quality. They work across a range of industries from power, chemicals, landfill and food through to smaller enterprises specialising in plating, and biodiesel.

On a day-to-day basis they inspect and audit facilities, regularly encountering technical challenges. They make recommendations for changes in practice providing advice and guidance to industry and persuading them to work beyond the strict terms of the permits. They also lead incident investigations and undertaking enforcement work where necessary.

What you must do

Read guidance on the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 and find out more about how the oil industry is regulated

Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001

The regulations require anyone in England who stores more than 200 litres of oil to provide more secure containment facilities for tanks, drums and mobile bowsers.

The purpose behind the legislation is to prevent oil escaping into the environment.

Guidance note: Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001

This guidance provides background information and a interpretation of the minimum legal standards in the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 in more detail.

The guidance also outlines recommended 'best practice' measures that go beyond the requirements in the legislation.

The Port of London Authority

(1) If the works will result in a discharge into the Thames the applicant may in addition require consent from the Environment Agency in its capacity as the pollution control authority for the river.

(2) Where the works give rise to noise pollution the applicant must consult the London Port Health Authority.

Oil pollution

The PLA will need to be informed of any oil spills Potential biodiversity issues

Damage to habitats by smothering and/or the introduction of toxicity into habitats/substrate
Mortality or injury of species e.g. waterbirds
Damage to habitats during any “clean-up” operation
- damage from physical removal of oil
- toxicity problems from use of detergents or dispersants

Potential mitigation measures

The Port of London Oil Spill Contingency Plan and the Oil Spill Response GIS provide a comprehensive set of procedures and background data for use in the event of a significant oil spill. Application of these procedures should ensure that biodiversity issues are adequately accounted for. By way of clarity, the following particular considerations apply:

Assess the sensitivity of the location of the incident: is it in or in proximity to a statutorily designated site; is it in or in proximity to an area of particular importance (e.g. one likely to hold high concentrations of bird species). See bird density maps and Oil Spill Response GIS
Alert Environment Agency/Counter Pollution Branch of MFA/TOSCA as appropriate to biodiversity issues
In consultation as above, if operationally feasible seek to direct polluting materials away from most sensitive sites
In consultation as above and if appropriate following advice from Natural England, minimise any damage or disturbance stemming from physical removal of the oil or the use of detergents or dispersants to clean up the site
If mortality or injury of species is likely or confirmed (in the case of significant oil spill there will be a high probability of bird oiling) make best efforts to inform RSPB and RSPCA .

In readiness for any pollution incident, the PLA-managed Thames Oil Spill Clearance Association (TOSCA) provides a 24-hour response to oil spills between Tower Bridge and Canvey Island. Funded in part by the terminals that handle oil and oil products, the service has two purpose-built craft, each designed to collect and/or contain oil in the first critical hours after a spillage.

Chemical Pollution

Potential biodiversity issues

Damage to habitats by introduction of toxicity into habitats/substrate
Mortality of or injury to species (plants, birds, invertebrates, fish)
Secondary damage or disturbance to habitats and/or species during “clean up” operations

Potential mitigation measures

Assess the sensitivity of the area affected or likely to be affected by the pollution: is it in or in proximity to a statutorily designated site; is it in or in proximity to an area of particular importance (e.g. one likely to hold high concentrations of bird species). See bird density maps and Oil Spill Response GIS
Alert Environment Agency and/or Counter Pollution Branch of MFA to biodiversity issues
In consultation with EA/CPB, if operationally feasible seek to direct polluting materials away from most sensitive sites (in the estuary in particular those likely to support highest concentrations of bird species – see maps)
In consultation as above and if appropriate following advice from Natural England, minimize any physical disturbance or further chemical pollution during remedial actions
If mortality or injury of species is likely or confirmed, make best efforts to inform RSPB and RSPCA.