Regulations on treating effluent from wastewater works before discharging have been relaxed after chemical supplies were impacted by Brexit and Covid.
The Environment Agency (EA) has accepted that some companies may be unable to comply with current permits because they are struggling to get access to ferric sulphate, which is used at some treatment works.
The EA has therefore allowed companies to discharge without meeting the conditions in their permit in certain cases.
Water UK, said the issue was one of distribution, not related to the production or availability of ferric sulphate.
In its regulatory position statement (RPS), issued today (7 September), the EA said the use of chemicals to treat effluent should be prioritised to treat discharges that are likely to have a high environmental or downstream abstraction impact.
Discharges in the highest risk category will not be covered by the RPS.
A Water UK spokesperson said: “This will not affect the supply of drinking water. As a precaution, however, we are monitoring the situation due to the use of ferric sulphate in some waste treatment works. We are working closely with government and our chemical suppliers to ensure disruption is minimised.
“This issue has arisen due to a shortage of HGV drivers in the UK. There is no shortage of ferric sulphate in factories; the issue is solely one of distribution.”
The alteration applies to discharges to surface or groundwater sources from treatment works.
Water and wastewater companies must inform the EA when they have two weeks’ supply and are unlikely to receive more before running out. Written permission is required from the EA if companies cannot comply with permit conditions because of such shortages.
Organisations must demonstrate reasonable steps have been taken to avoid or minimise disruption to business, and that response planning is undertaken to minimise the impact and duration of non-compliance with the permit.
Records of any staff absences, supply chain disruptions and failures, or contractors not being available must be kept by the water companies using the RPS.
The water sector prepared itself for supply shortages up to six weeks in its readiness for Brexit. Industry efforts were coordinated in 2019 by Water UK in the event of a no-deal exit from the EU causing transportation delays.