Gateway - The BBC Intranet
Gateway home
myRisks
myRisks Banner
 You are in: myRisks > Environment > Environment and Productions > Water Abstraction and Disposal
Skip to main content

Environment and Productions
Water Abstraction and Disposal

Abstraction
If you wish to take more than 20 cubic meters (4,000 gallons) of water per day (approximately the volume of a small hotel swimming pool) from a river, stream, lake or canal or from an underground source (aquifer), you will need a licence to do this.
 
Abstraction Licence applications can be made through the Environment Agencies website, alternatively you can call 08708 506 506 for further information or Ask Al [0464] for advice or information. 

Disposal
Discharge consents are required for the disposal of catering, makeup and any other production waste water into groundwater, drains (unless they have interceptors), car parks, rivers, streams, lakes and the sea.
 
If you discharge any sewage, effluent or water which contains detergent to surface waters or groundwater you must have prior written authorisation from your Environmental Regulator (Environment Agency / Scottish Environmental Protection Agency) in the form of a discharge consent or other appropriate authorisation.
 
Discharge consents can be arranged through the Environment Agency by e-mail or by calling 08708 506 506.
 
Explosions, ice, rain and rough river effects
Measures that can be taken to avoid causing environmental damage to controlled waters (lakes, rivers, streams etc.) while conducting special effects include:
  • Ensuring that an appropriate risk assessment is undertaken and control measures put in place before the effect takes place.
  • Where there are large amounts of water being abstracted from controlled waters (lakes, rivers, streams etc.) an abstraction licence needs to be obtained (see Water Abstraction).
  • Permission from the local water company will need to be obtained for the use of fire hydrants or pumping stations.
  • Avoid where possible explosions in water or use minimum chargers. Monitoring of shockwaves is required where large explosions are going to occur.
  • Where wax is used for ice effects ensure where possible waste materials used for the effect are collected and disposed of in the general waste stream.
Search myRisks