How can trade effluent be prevented from entering watercourses, and what services are available to manufacturers to ensure their drainage systems perform effectively?
Figures from The Guardian show that only 14% of English rivers meet the criteria for ‘good’ ecological status, suggesting pollution from trade effluent, sewage discharge, and chemicals has a huge impact on water quality.
Manufacturing plants are responsible for having the correct drainage systems in place, such as interceptors and grease traps, to capture oils and chemicals before they enter watercourses or groundwater systems. Equally, they have a responsibility to maintain them; not doing so can lead to leaks and spillages, resulting in expensive cleans ups, disruption to the production line and possible investigations for non-compliance with environmental obligations. So how can these issues be avoided?
Trade effluent, manufacturing and pollution
Trade effluent – wastewater derived from a trade or industrial process which isn’t domestic sewage – is produced in huge amounts every day, from machine or yard cleaning to cooling and heating systems and daily operations such as food production for staff and manufacturing processes themselves. Any one of these can see water become polluted with fats, oil, grease and chemicals which must be prevented from entering watercourses.
Drainage plans for manufacturers
It’s important to work with a drainage provider who is an expert in drain mapping and maintenance plans to help you ensure trade effluent is discharged to the correct channel.
A drainage plan should determine:
- An asset register detailing the location, size and access point of each pipe within the system
- The type of drains – surface water, foul water, or combined
- A site map and schematic drawing of the system
An effective drain map and CCTV camera inspection will help identify any changes required on-site to ensure trade effluent is safely captured and treated rather than being emitted into a watercourse. It’s an essential element of any flood management or environmental plan.
Planned, proactive maintenance
Ensuring your site is functioning efficiently, controlling where trade effluent is sent and minimising disruption to your business requires a programme of planned, preventative maintenance. This will reduce the risk of blockages, leaks and clogs in the system that could pose future risks.
Metro Rod is trusted by some of the UK’s leading manufacturers to deliver cost-effective drain and pump maintenance which prevents risk to their business. Including drain and asset mapping, interceptor cleaning, grease trap management, and pump station servicing.
Metro Rod’s nationwide team of expertly trained engineers are available 24/7/365, operating from over 50 depots that are within one hour’s travel time of 85% of commercial properties in the UK. And, as the company is accredited by ECO Vadis, ISO 9001, CHAS and many others, you can be assured that only the best in the business attend your site.
To support your production line and prevent disruption, Metro Rod can provide full clarity of the drainage network and a detailed plan to incorporate into your trade effluent and flood management plans. The company can also advise on a program of tailored maintenance works, carried out during periods of shut down, to ensure you can minimise the risk of emergency call outs and disruption.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to minimise pollution in our watercourses and the drains play an essential role in this. As such, businesses looking to improve their environmental responsibility should place their drainage strategy top of the list.
For advice on drain mapping and planned maintenance to prevent disruption, contact Metro Rod on 01625 507 945 or visit Metro Rod’s website.
