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Do you need an
Oil Separator / Interceptor?
     
 

How do oil separators work?

Oil Separators can be fitted to surface water drainage systems to protect the environment from pollution by oils. They separate the oil from the water . And then retain the oil safely until it is removed. They are installed to contain oil leaks from vehicles and plant and accidental spillages.



Where are Separators needed?

Surface water may be contaminated by oil at a number of different sites. These sites need to have measures in place to prevent this oil from polluting the environment. These sites include:

· Car parks typically larger than 800m2 in area or for 50 or more car parking spaces.

· Smaller car parks discharging to a sensitive environment.

· Areas where goods vehicles are parked or manoeuvred.

· Vehicle maintenance areas

· Roads

· Industrial sites where oil is stored or used.

· Refuelling facilities

· Any other site with a risk of oil contamination.

· Car wash areas.

If you do need an oil separator , you will need to consider where it will discharge. It is important to speak to the Environment Agency as early as possible if you plan to discharge to surface water drains, to a watercourse or to the ground, as you may require their consent.

 
These consents are not issued automatically and if they do allow a discharge they may impose strict controls on the level of polluting substances in it such as oils. If you install a separator to discharge to surface water you will need a class 1 separator.

If however your separator will discharge to a foul sewer, you must contact your local sewer provider before doing so.

For discharges to the foul sewer you will need a class 1 or class 2 separator. If your separator will discharge to a surface water sewer that is owned by the sewer provider, you must also contact them before you connect to that sewer.

Typically drainage from areas such as scrap yards, storage and handling areas for chemicals (solvents, acids etc) and washing bays are likely to be contaminated with substances other than oil, and should normally drain to the foul sewer with the approval of the sewer provider.

The local sewer provider might require the discharge to have a separator and you must consult them.
Discharge from such areas is not suitable for drainage to surface water drains, a watercourse or to the ground. (drainage containing detergents should not pass to a separator that discharges to surface water because the detergents prevent the separator from working properly.

The Environment Agency recommend that interceptors are cleaned at least twice per year.

Similarly if you require an Oil separator /interceptor Credential Automotive can help to organise the installation.

For further information please visit
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/
acrobat/ ppg3_0606_1352263.pdf

Or contact myself on via e-mail at
Jason.Miller@credenv.com or telephone on
Tel: 01325 379030

  
     
 
 
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