Water pollution

Sources of water pollution

Water pollution comes from a variety of sources, including:

1. •

   deoxygenating materials, like sewage and organic wastes, such as silage or other heavily polluting industrial processes

2. •

   nutrient enrichment, such as through fertilisers

3. •

   solids, like sand or silt which can impact flow or block light

4. •

   toxic materials, such as heavy metals and chemicals

5. •

   disease carrying agents

6. •

   heat, which can affect biological conditions

Water pollution is regulated through a number of regimes, as set out below.

Environmental permitting—discharges to surface water and groundwater

This regime requires operators to obtain environmental permits for various activities that could cause pollution, including water pollution from industrial activities. The permits set conditions to control emissions and discharges, ensuring that industrial activities do not harm water quality.

It is an offence under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, SI 2016/1154 to:

1. •

   operate a regulated facility

2. •

   cause or knowingly permit the discharge of any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, waste matter, trade effluent or sewage