Glass processors risk unlimited fines

Glass processors could face unlimited fines if they don’t properly manage waste water.

According to Bohle, while most glass processors have the required controls in place for the management of trade effluent, others may have gaps in their systems and could fall foul of the law.

Those found to have failed to comply, could face unlimited potential fines in magistrates and crown courts.

“If you’re releasing trade effluent into the mains sewer you need consent to do so from your water and sewerage company, with specific controls in place on suspended solids,” Dave Broxton, managing director of Bohle, said.

“If you don’t have specific permissions, and you don’t have a Trade Effluent Notice, you could be found in breach and charged with an offence under Section 121 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

“If found guilty, the potential fines are limitless.”

Trade effluent is classed as any effluent that is produced from a process or activity connected to processes carried out as part of commercial trade or industry.

In England and Wales this is regulated under the Water Industry Act 1991 by water companies, with strict controls in place on suspended solids to avoid sewer blockages caused by settlement.

“Regardless of what happens after Brexit, these requirements are unlikely to change, if anything becoming more stringent, so if you aren’t certain that you’re in full compliance, you need to take action now to avoid the risk of prosecution,” Dave said.

Bohle said that the introduction of a sedimentor to a manufacturing line can support glass processors in increasing capacity, save £thousands lost to downtime, and extend the life of their machinery and tooling, as well as staying on the right side of legislation.

Suitable for grinding, drilling and sawing glass equipment, the Bohle Sedimentor range removes contaminants from coolants and water.

“You’re getting better edge quality, better product and fewer rejections because coolant is cleaner,” Dave said. “You’re also saving the time and manpower that goes into manually cleaning tanks, which can easily run six to eight hours each week – the equivalent of a full day’s production.

“Because the system is closed – effectively cleaning, recycling and recovering coolant – it also means that you’re not regularly releasing trade effluent into the sewerage system, helping you to keep on the right side of legislation and discharge consents.”