Supporting businesses to reduce pollution in the River Calder

River Calder

A project to prevent water pollution in Yorkshire on several industrial estates in the River Calder Catchment is underway. The estates have been selected by the Environment Agency due to water pollution incidents in local waterways over the last few years.

The project is being delivered by Groundwork’s Sustainable Business Consultants, who are engaging companies with the offer of free, confidential support to better understand potential pollution risks from their operations. Following support from Groundwork, companies will be better equipped to make improvements to their operations to reduce the risk of pollution entering local rivers and brooks.

In recent years, some companies in the North of England have received fines ranging from £20,000 to £700,000, for needlessly causing pollution in water as well as unnecessary stress to fish in long stretches of rivers.

The project will work with medium and high-risk businesses delivering on-site reviews and follow up support. This will give these local businesses an opportunity to play their part in improving the local environment, avoid the risk of large fines and prosecutions and gain positive green credentials.

Fran Hooley, Environment Officer at the Environment Agency said:

“Water pollution has a huge and very harmful impact on the environment and everyone has a role to play in improving water quality, including businesses. Discharges from businesses on industrial estates are impacting on water quality in Yorkshire. By making sure they store waste correctly and have the correct permission for waste disposal they can protect the environment as well as reduce the risk of enforcement action being taken against them.”

Groundwork’s Director of Business, Greville Kelly said:

“We’ve been delighted with the positive response received already from local businesses. This project is all about prevention, so it will not only reduce current levels of water pollution but will also help to safeguard these waterways for generations to come.”