Water discharge under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (EPR)

Consenting organisation

Environment Agency (EA).

Details

To regulate the discharge of sewage, trade and other effluents to help protect water quality, the environment and human health.

When is it required?

Required to discharge sewage or trade effluent directly into surface water, such as rivers, streams, canals, groundwater or the sea.

Associated legislation

Water Resources Act, 1991 (Environment Act, 1995), Groundwater Regulations, 1998 and EU Directives.

Application process

• An application is assessed for potential impacts on water quality.
• A pre-application discussion with the relevant officer at EA either by phone or face to face is encouraged.
• Individual applications take into account the views of members of the public and other interested parties who may be affected by the proposal.
• The EA will also consult a number of statutory consultees, such as local authorities, water companies and Natural England.
• When a decision is being made to issue a discharge consent, further conditions may be contained within this as well as taking into account the duties of EA under both national and European law.
• Depending on the environmental risk associated with the discharge, the EA may decide to monitor the discharge and/or receiving water.
• All relevant information can be obtained within a public register, held at the relevant local area office.

Appeals procedure

If consent is refused and it has been withheld unreasonably, the applicant can appeal. The appeal is heard by an agreed independent arbitrator. The EA will tell the applicant about how this works at the time the consent is going to be granted or not.

Consultation process

Contact consenting organisation for further details.

Course of action under the habitats regulations

All applications of any description will be subject to the requirements of the habitats regulation if they have the potential to impact on the European Marine site.

Timescales

Contact consenting organisation for further information.

Cost

Contact consenting organisation for further information.

Contact details

Devon Sea Fisheries Committee (DSFC)

Old Foundry Court, 60a Fore Street, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8DZ
Telephone: 01803 854648
Website Devon Sea Fisheries Committee

Environment Agency

Cornwall Area, Sir John Moore House, Victoria Square, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 1EB
Telephone: 08708 506506
Website: Environment Agency

Marine Management Organisation

Head Office: Hampshire Court, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YH

Plymouth Office: Fish Quay, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, PL4 0HL
Telephone: 01752 228001. (Initial contact with Plymouth office is recommended)
Website: Marine Management

Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum (TECF)

C/o Development Planning, Plymouth City Council, Civic  Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AA
Telephone: 01752 304339
Website: Tamar Estuaries

Remember! You may require further consents. Visit the development page to find out.