Dry spills to be classed as pollutions under proposed changes to reporting guidance

Dry day spills from storm overflows would be classed as pollution incidents under changes to guidance on reporting and recording water company pollution incidents, being consulted on by the Environment Agency. 

The Agency said its targeted eight-week consultation is seeking feedback on changes that are designed to increase transparency, simplify the reporting and categorisation process, and improve consistency – so it can capture a more accurate picture of water company incidents and their impact on the environment.

Other changes discussed in the consultation included:

• Removing water companies’ ability to use ‘no impact’ claims to have Category 3 water pollution incidents downgraded to Category 4 incidents, if polluting matter enters a waterbody.

• Requiring water companies to report all water pollution incidents, no matter how small.

• Several technical changes to tighten the self-reporting guidance.

The Agency said it was gathering feedback from water companies, eNGOs and Ofwat and expected to finalise any changes to the guidance this summer.