B4.6.1 England & Wales Legislation continued (2)
The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 [SI No. 2954]
These regulations cover England only. They stipulate requirements relating to the storage of oil. They apply to any container capable of holding 200 litres or more of oil, including waste oil – if stored outside. They do not apply to underground tanks.
The regulations apply to oil stored in:
- Tanks.
- Intermediate bulk containers.
- Oil drums.
- Mobile bowsers.
The regulations do not apply to oil you store:
- On premises used wholly for distributing oil onto other places.
- In any container with a storage capacity of 200 litres or less.
- In a container situated within a building.
- In a container situated wholly underground.
- On premises used to refine oil.
- On a farm, where the oil is used to produce heat or power for agriculture.
Below is an overview of some of the General requirements:
- Oil must be stored in containers that are fit for purpose and unlikely to burst or leak.
- Containers must be stored within a suitable secondary containment, which will contain any oil that escapes from its container.
- If the oil is stored in an oil tank or intermediate bulk container, the secondary containment must be able to hold:
- at least 110% of the volume of any single container in the storage area, or
- if there is more than one container, at least 110% of the largest container’s storage volume, or at least 25% of their total volume (whichever is greater).
- For drum storage the secondary containment must be able to hold at least 25% of the total storage capacity of the drums.
- Bunds and drip trays (the secondary containment) must be impermeable to water and oil. The base and walls must not be penetrated by any valve, pipe or opening that is used for draining the system.
- If any fill pipe or draw-off pipe goes through bund, this must be sealed to prevent oil escaping from the system.
- All valves, filters, sight gauges, vent pipes and other equipment (other than fill pipes or draw-off pipes or pumps) must be located within the secondary containment.
- Where the fill pipe is not within the bund, it must be over a drip tray.
- If the container has a sight gauge, it must be properly supported and fitted with a valve that closes automatically when it is not in use.
- All fill pipes, draw-off pipes or vent pipes must be located so as to minimise risk of damage.
Please note that the above information is intended for guidance as o the types of issues covered in the regulations. It is by no means a comprehensive summary of the requirements.
Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009
These regulations amend the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007. They amend the definition of “harbour works” to include modifications to an existing harbour e.g. mineral extraction by dredging.
Welsh Ministers are appointed as regulator for mineral extraction by dredging in Wales and must therefore issue EIA consents for this activity.
Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Amendment) Regulations 2009 [SI 3160]
Amends 2008/2349 to introduce a procedure for applying for the rules on the amount of nitrogen in organic manure that you can apply to an agricultural holding to be relaxed.
Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (England) Regulations 2010 [SI 639]
Establishes construction and storage standards for silage-making and storage, slurry storage systems and agricultural fuel oil stores, with the aim of reducing water pollution.
Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 [SI 1091]
Amends 2010/639, by correcting defects in definition and offences clauses.
Wales only:
Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agriculture Fuel Oil) (Wales) Regulations 2010 [SI 1493]
Establishes construction and storage standards for silage-making and storage, slurry storage systems and agricultural fuel oil stores, with the aim of reducing water pollution.