[paul bruce]

I hear lots of conflicting stories regarding the disposal of waste water from carpet cleaning, car valeting, oven cleaning, the latter two are basically just bio-degradable soapy water, so what are the environmental issues/laws regarding this?

Paul

[mobile valeting & Power wash Services]

I am a car Valeter / power washer by trade in my part of the country I am required to prevent my waste water going down the drains in the road as I am causing an enviromental issue, as the drains go to streams and are not treated therfore it may kill the plants and insects/fish etc as it kills the oxygen . You can be fined on the spot by law  (£20.000)  :-[speak to enviromental Health, they were actualy very good and are there to help. If there are no drains in the location I am working there is no issue the waste dries natuaraly. If there are You are required to pick up the waste water and disspose of down a sewer drain as this water gets treated. I pay £80 for a waste water (3 years) carrying license and get rid of my waste water down the sewer drain at the bottom of my drive bit of a pain but the local council are happy. hope this helps.
Malky

[paul bruce]

Thanks for the information Malky.

Paul

[George-Reid]

Paul
Its not the biodegradable soapy water that is the main concern for example with car valeting their is the possibility of geting engine oil and grease etc into the drainage system. With us car waste water has to go through a seperator before it can go down the foul sewer drain. These things seem to very across diffrent council and or water authority areas. although the 20K fine stays the same.
Check with your authority.
It my main business Wheelie bin washing its the same throughout the uk you must recycle you must have a waste carriers licence and you must dispose of your water down a foul sewer for which you require a consent to discharge.
Hope this helps
Cheers
George

[mobile valeting & Power wash Services]

George,
when I spoke to the enviromental health chap oil and grease were not mentioned as I won't do engine cleans due to the hike in insurance premiums.
The TFR and the likes were the main talking point in my case, just as a matter of interest The wheelie bin council approved van was in my street today in his van was a 5hp honda pressure washer and a 600lt water container,nothing else, I watched them pressure wash the bin swill it around then dump all the contents onto the middle of the road and drive off, it makes my blood boil when I see such practices as he has been going for over a year now makes loads of money (fact) but gives everyone ellse a bad name, local authorities must know he does this as he is council approved or is he I ask myself,anyway nothing to do with me just having a moan had a bad day, pleased there was no mention of my waste water going through a separator prior to ditching down the sewer drain though, have a busy profitable day.
Malky

[paul bruce]

Thanks to you also George, very useful information. I am sure there will be a lot of people involved in various sectors of the cleaning industry not aware of these regulations and will find the information on these posts helpful.

Paul

[George-Reid]

Follow this link and look at PPG13 regarding pressure washing

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/444251/444731/ppg/?version=1&lang=_e

Malky
It appears that their is just not enough enforcement officers out their and unless some one complains then they get away with it.

What they are doing is worth a 20K fine per day.
Cheers
George