Netregs

The Environment Agency has developed the Netregs web pages. They provide practical, sector-specific tips on water, waste and air issues and demystify the environmental responsibilities of smaller businesses. It is the first UK web site designed to help small businesses navigate through the maze of environmental legislation.

It could save you time, money and hassle. Generic Management Guidelines help you comply with the key environmental legislation that may apply to the different aspects of your business, from raw material inputs through to wastes. Sector-specific guidelines give you practical measures to keep your business sector compliant with the law, together with 'good practice' advice on measures to reduce the risk of harm to the environment. You can choose a business sector and explore the processes within it that may be relevant to you.

Netregs will give industry much needed and easy access to what it must do to meet environmental obligations.

Click here to visit NetRegs.

Water law and regulations guidance

For more advanced projects, or just for information as to the regulatory framework - information on relevant water law and regulations can be useful. To this end, links to water law and regulations are provided below.

Water Industry Act 1999 - covers the functions and duties of sewerage undertakers, local authority responsibilities for water supply, discharges to the sewerage system and the quality of water supplies in England and Wales. It also empowers water service companies to levy trade effluent charges.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1999/19990009.htm

Water Resources Act 1991 - regulates water quality and quantity in England and Wales and prohibits discharges of polluting matter to controlled waters, unless consented to do so by the Environment Agency. The act also included information relating to Environment Agency charges and abstraction licences. Breaches of the Water Resources Act can result in up to six months imprisonment and or £20,000 fine
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1991/Ukpga_19910057_en_1.htm

Environment Act 1995 (c. 25) / Anti-Pollution Works Notices - A statutory notice that requires the person served to carry out specified works or actions to deal with pollution of controlled waters. The recipient of Works Notices can be any person who caused or knowingly permitted poisonous or noxious or polluting matter or solid waste matter to be present at a place from which it is likely, in the opinion of the EA, to enter any controlled waters. A Works Notice can also be served on any person who caused or knowingly permitted the matter to be present in a place from where it might be released.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1995/Ukpga_19950025_en_1.htm

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 - impose requirements in relation to new water fittings designed to prevent contamination and waste of water. They do not apply to supplies for non-domestic or non-food production purposes if they are short term and there is a meter.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19991148.htm