Containing water run-off

Although permanent containment facilities should be provided at many sites, for example at sites that come under the COMAH Regulations, there may be circumstances where a spillage cannot be dealt with by such facilities, for example if it occurs outside a bunded area. 

A bund is a purpose-built dam around an area where a spillage is likely to occur. Typically bunds can be seen around oil storage tanks. In the event of a spill, for whatever reason, the hazardous substance is contained within the bunded area. 

In some cases, particularly at smaller sites, containing contaminated firewater run-off will be considered to be impracticable because of cost and space considerations. In such cases, temporary containment systems or pollution control materials are available and should be used to minimise the environmental impact of firewater run-off. 

However, if reliance is placed on these secondary measures, consideration of some other form of local containment may be necessary to provide sufficient time to prepare them. Their use and location must be clearly marked in the pollution incident response plan and indicated on site with durable signs explaining their use. 

There are a variety of emergency containment measures that may be used including  

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