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the shizzle => get involved: access, environment, BMC => Topic started by: andyd on June 22, 2015, 11:31:15 pm

Title: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: andyd on June 22, 2015, 11:31:15 pm: I saw shit flowing from pipe into the river Aire last night. Horrible experience. Is this accepted/permitted on a small scale or is this somebody getting away with it? It wasn't really wet out so you can't blame it on rainfall overloading the system.
Should I contact the environment agency/water board /environmental health? :sick:
Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: TheTwig on June 23, 2015, 12:55:44 am: I think first of all the most important thing is to get as close as possible and attempt to dip a finger in and check it is in fact shit. May I suggest an abseil with prussik backup?

On a more serious note, google was suprisingly unhelpful. This page says it's illegal to dump untreated sewage (I believe the UK is being sued/fined by the EU for the storm overflows into the thames etc?) http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/lawsandconventions.html

I would contact defra or somebody similar. Sounds grim.
Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: Oldmanmatt on June 23, 2015, 05:07:34 am: Yes, contact Enviromental health at the local authority. Pictures/video and kick up a stink (ha,ha) on "social media".
Do you have a local "Spotted" page on Facebook?

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Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: tomtom on June 23, 2015, 06:50:50 am: Yes - Phone the EA straight away. Very much wrong and small spills like this can cause a load of damage to the river locally.

During very high rain/surface water flooding, CSO's (Combined Sewer Overflows) can 'legally' spew a sewage/drainage mix into watercourses - but this is only because the sewer that normally carries this is full - and overflows (I don't need to explain..).
Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: SA Chris on June 23, 2015, 08:51:40 am: Take photos, video etc as evidence. Hard to prove otherwise. Tom is right about CSOs, major problem on many beaches.
Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: andyd on June 23, 2015, 09:15:54 am: Quote from: TheTwig on June 23, 2015, 12:55:44 am
I think first of all the most important thing is to get as close as possible and attempt to dip a finger in and check it is in fact shit. May I suggest an abseil with prussik backup?
I may have been in a boat. Can't get much closer without swimming.

Environment agency I reckon. Cheers all
Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: fatneck on June 23, 2015, 09:17:00 am: They are usually very responsive to Twitter but you need to phone the hotline to actually report it...

Edit - good stuff Andy
Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: andyd on June 23, 2015, 09:38:27 am: Called anonymously. They're looking into it. Ref no 1347610.
Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: slackline on June 23, 2015, 09:49:52 am: Quote from: andyd on June 23, 2015, 09:38:27 am
Called anonymously. They're looking into it. Ref no 1347610.

Thats no longer anonymous now that you've announced the reference. :clown:
Title: Re: Is it legal to dump raw sewage?
Post by: Will Hunt on June 23, 2015, 01:04:34 pm: Have sent you a PM, Andy.