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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, Home Pollutionsources of Home Pollution PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
pollution in our everyday lives Prevention Checklist
chemicals into a drain. Contact Transport andNever dispose of oil or household/garden home pollution Statistics have been compiled since 2000 on the
number and type of pollution incidents reported to
Technical Services for advice on disposal Tel: 445509.
Environmental Protection in Jersey. Between 2000 and the aquatic environment and 2005 there were an average of 136 reported Ensure that all waste water from your premises
pollution incidents a year - 1 in 6 of these were goes into the foul water system and not into the
categorised as sewage/domestic. Many of these surface water drains.
incidents could have been easily avoided and this Don't throw rubbish or garden waste into streams.
leaflet sets out some measures that can help to
Remember that outside drains are almost certainly
prevent pollution.
connected to the surface water system. Don't allow
any polluting matter to flow into them.
If your property is not on mains drains, ensure that
tight tanks, septic tank systems and private drainage Your home has two water drainage systems:
systems are maintained appropriately.
Check your oil tank and associated pipework regularly. Surface Water Syste
Waste from swimming pools should discharge to the The surface water foul sewer at a controlled flow rate. Advice and
system includes permission should be obtained from Transport and most road and ' Technical Services Tel: 445509. If no mains drains are other outside available, seek advice from Environmental Protection drains and is Tel: 441600.
designed to carry
clean rain water from Remember
rooftops, roads and driveways. These often discharge
Causing or knowingly permitting pollution of controlled into a stream and eventually to the sea.
waters is an offence under the Water Pollution (Jersey)
Law, 2000. There are however strong defenc Foul Water System that may be available to persons
acting in a responsible manner.
The foul water system or sewerage system is designed to carry foul water from bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, A copy of the law can be
washing machines etc. These go to Bellozanne obtained from the States sewage treatment works or to your own sewage Greffe bookshop or it can disposal system if you are not on mains drains. be viewed at
www.jerseylegalinfo.je
It is important that you know which drains are which
on your property. Water
Pollution Information for this leaflet has been obtained from Hotline
the Environment Agency, UK.
Tel: 70953
Are you causing Pollution?
Oil
Oil is very persistent in the environment and should never be disposed of down a drain.
Store used oils in their original containers, wherever possible. They should be clearly labelled and stored away from potential damage, corrosion or vandalism
Small quantities of waste oil such as that resulting from a vehicle oil change can be disposed of at Transport and Technical Services, Bellozanne Tel: 445509.
Leaks from domestic oil tanks are responsible for a large number of pollution incidents each year. Oil tanks and their ancillary equipment should have secondary containment and be checked regularly for leaks. See the oil pollution leaflet in this series for more pollution prevention measures.
Vegetable oil from cooking can be disposed of with your solid waste. Make sure it has cooled and hardened or soak it into normal household waste in sealed bags. Better still, soak it up with bread and use as bird food.
Solid Wast e
Dumped so
streams to flood and may cause pollutio Household rubbish should be taken to Transport and Technical Services, Bellozanne Tel: 445509.
Garden Waste can be composted at your own property or at the Island's composting site, which is run by Transport and Technical Services.
Swimming Pools
Waste from swimming pools should discharge to the foul sewer at a controlled flow rate. Advice and permission should be obtained from Transport and Technical Services Tel: 445509. If no mains drains are available, seek advice from Environmental Protection Tel: 441600.
Are you causing Pollution?
Chemicals
Chemicals used at home include pesticides, timber treatments, white spirits and paints.
Never dispose of waste chemicals into surface water drains or watercourses.
Advice about the disposal of unwanted products should be sought from Transport and Technical Services, Bellozanne Tel: 445509.
Instructions on the product label should be followed carefully.
To reduce disposal problems, always ensure that you mix the minimum quantity required.
Excess product can be used on an area that has not previously been treated or stored in the original container for use or disposal at a later date.
Paint brushes/pots should never be washed out into
a surface water drain.
Car and Patio Washing
The effluent produced from car and patio washing can be polluting.
Use little or no detergent when washing cars, patios, exterior surfaces etc.
When steam cleaning or power washing vehicles, use wash bays designed to deal with the effluent.
Do not allow soapy water to go down a surface water drain.
Best advice - use a car wash!
Are you causing Pollution?
Sewage
Domestic sewage from leaking mains sewerage or malfunctioning private treatment systems may cause pollution of watercourses and groundwater.
Contamination of groundwater can directly affect drinking water supplies - approximately 10% of Jersey households are not served by mains water and therefore rely on groundwater as their only source of drinking water.
If sewage enters a water course it presents a direct human health risk, is visually unpleasant and renders the water unsuitable for abstraction and use. It also reduces oxygen levels and its breakdown products can be toxic to aquatic life.
If you do not have access to mains drains, your house will be served by a tight tank, septic tank or other form of private treatment system. Make sure you know how yours works and where it discharges to. Septic tanks should only discharge into an appropriate secondary treatment system. Transport and Technical Services offer an inspection and emptying service Tel: 445509.
All private sewage systems need routine maintenance and/or regular emptying. Maintenance of private
ea tment systems should be carried out by specialised age contractors (see Yellow Pages).
o u have a private sewage treatment system, you
should also obtain advice from Environmental Protection on how to apply for a discharge permit under the Water Pollution (Jersey) Law, 2000 Tel: 441600.
All domestic waste liquid should be discharged into the foul sewerage system, whether it is to the mains or to your own system. This includes all water from kitchens, bathrooms and water using appliances, e.g. washing machines. Only clean rain water runoff should discharge to surface drains.
If you suspect that you may have a wrong connection then consult your plumber or contact a specialised drainage contractor (see Yellow Pages).