Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPGs)
The Environment Agency is working with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Environment and Heritage Service in
Each PPG is targeted at a particular industrial sector or activity and gives advice on the law and good environmental practice. As well as being used by our staff, the PPGs are invaluable sources of advice for industry and the public.
You will also find other useful guidance here that isn't specifically published as a PPG, and links to other relevant publications.
Please note, some PPGs have been withdrawn. PPG 9, 12 and 23 have been replaced by other information. The sectors and activities covered in PPG 11, 15 & 16 are now covered by the Is Your Site Right 10-point checklist (link at the end of this guidance list or up/back a page) and the general guidance in our publication Pollution Prevention Pays (up/back a page).
Hard copies of most PPGs can be ordered, subject to availability, from our publications catalogue (type ppg xx into the keywords field) or phone our Customer Contact Centre on 08708 506 506 or email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
We welcome feedback about these guidelines and we review their content regularly. If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement please email pollution.prevention@environment-agency.gov.uk
- PPG 1 General guide to the prevention of pollution (pdf)
A basic introduction to pollution prevention. This guidance signposts to other PPGs and publications. This is being reviewed in 2008. -
Oil separator manufacturers - Version 7, November 2007 (Acrobat, 412KB, 2 minutes)
The separators listed here have passed the performance type test in accordance with Clause 8.3.3 of the European Standard for Separator Systems, BS EN 858-1:2002 - PPG 2 Above ground oil storage tanks (pdf)
To help you prevent pollution from above ground oil storage tanks and comply with the law (excludes oil refineries and distribution depots). This version was produced in Feb 2004. The PPG will be updated to include The Water Environment (Oil Storage)(Scotland) Regs 2006, by autumn 2008. - PPG 3 Use and design of oil separators in surface water drainage systems (pdf)
To help you decide if you need an oil separator at your site and , if so, what size and type of separator is appropriate. This version published April 2006. -
PPG25 Hospitals and Health Care Establishments (Acrobat, 123KB, 1 min)
Good practice pollution prevention guidance for the management and maintenance of hospitals and health care establishments. This is being reviewed in 2008 -
C I R I A /Environment Agency Joint Guidelines: Concrete Bunds for Oil Storage Tanks (Acrobat, 293 Kb, 2 mins)
Guidance for the construction of simple, reinforced concrete bunds for oil storage tanks up to 3.5 metres wide and 900mm high. It is based upon CIRIA Report 163 “Construction of bunds for oil storage tanks” - PPG 4 Treatment and disposal of sewage where no foul sewer is available
To help you choose the correct sewage disposal option. This guidance includes information about treatment and disposal methods available, maintenance and legal requirements. This version published July 2006 -
C I R I A /Environment Agency Joint Guidelines Masonry Bunds for Oil Storage Tanks (Acrobat, 484 Kb, 3 mins)
Guidance for the construction of simple, reinforced masonry bunds for oil storage tanks up to 3.5 metres wide and 1200mm high. It is based upon CIRIA Report 163 “Construction of bunds for oil storage tanks” - PPG 5 Works and maintenance in or near water
If you are planning works near, in or over water this guidance provides advice on pollution prevention planning , how to avoid pollution of the water environment , waste management and incident response. This new version (Oct 2007) incorporates PPG23 Maintenance of Structures Over Water. -
Adblue information updated February 2007 (Acrobat, 72KB, 37 secs)
Information to help you prevent pollution from the storage and use of Adblue - PPG 6 Working at construction and demolition sites
Pollution prevention information for the construction and demolition industry. This guidance is being reviewed in 2008. -
Pollution Prevention: Private, commercial and military airfields. (Acrobat, 15 Kb, 10 secs)
Information about pollution risks and prevention at airfields - PPG 7 Refuelling facilities
To help you prevent pollution from refuelling facilities of all sizes. This version published Aug 2004. See also hotlink to Defra Groundwater Protection Code: Petrol stations and other fuel dispensing facilities involving underground storage tanks. We're reviewing this PPG in 2008. -
Prevent pollution from drinking water treatment works and distribution networks (Acrobat, 16 Kb, 10 secs)
Information to help reduce the risk of pollution of surface or groundwater from water treatment works and distribution networks. - PPG8 Safe storage and disposal of used oils
To help you prevent pollution when storing and disposing of used oils and applies to a single engine oil change and large industrial users. This version published Feb 2004. Being reviewed in 2008. -
Preventing pollution from major pipelines (Acrobat, 14 Kb, 10 secs)
Information to reduce the risk of pollution of surface or groundwater from the construction and operation of major pipelines. - PPG 9 replaced by Defra Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products
PPG 9 was withdrawn in August 2006. Farmers, growers and amenity uses of pesticides in England and Wales should follow the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products, PB 11090, in its place. This link is to the Pesticide Safety Directorate's website where you can download a pdf of the document and order a hard copy. - PPG 10 Highway depots
How to reduce pollution risk from highway maintenance depots. -
Preventing pollution from wheelie bin cleaning (Acrobat, 9 Kb, 10 secs)
Information to help operators and the general public in the safe, environmentally friendly, hygienic wheelie bin cleaning. This is be reviewed in 2008. - PPG 12 replaced by Defra Groundwater Protection Code - Use and Disposal of Sheep Dip
PPG12 was withdrawn in January 2006, use the Defra guidance in its place. - PPG 13 Vehicle washing and cleaning
This good practice guidance will help you prevent pollution from vehicle washing and cleaning using automatic wash systems, high pressure or steam cleaners and washing by hand. This version published July 2007. Please note PPG 13 used to be called High Pressure Water & Steam Cleaners. - PPG14 Marinas and crafts
General guidance about preventing pollution when you use waterways, estuaries and coastal waters. This version published Feb 2004. - PPG17 Dairies and other milk handling operations
Guidelines for those who design and operate dairies and other milk and milk product handling operations. - PPG18 Managing fire water and major spillages
To help you identify equipment and techniques available to prevent damage to the water environment caused by fires and major spillages. - PPG19 Garages and vehicle service centres
Pollution prevention advice if you own or work in a garage and vehicle service centre. - PPG20 Dewatering underground ducts and chambers
How to prevent pollution when you dewater underground ducts and inspection chambers. - PPG 21 Pollution incident response planning (pdf)
To help you produce emergency pollution incident response plans to deal with accidents, spillages and fires. This version published Feb 2004. This is being revised in 2008. - PPG22 Dealing with spillages on highways
To help you prevent pollution when with dealing with spillages on highways. - PPG23 iMaintenance of structures replaced by PPG 5 (Oct 2007)
PPG 23 is now replaced by PPG 5 (Oct 2007) - Works and Maintenance in or near water. - PPG24 Stables, kennels, catteries
Good practice guidance if you manage and operate stables, kennels and catteries. This is being reviewed in 2008. - PPG26 Storage and handling of drums and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
These notes will help if you deal with the storage and handling of drums and Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs). This version published Feb 2004. This is being reviewed in 2008. - PPG27 Installation, decommissionsing and removal of underground storage tanks (pdf)
There is a high risk of pollution during the installation, decommissioning and removal of underground storage tank (UST) systems. This pollution prevention guidance covers all USTs, including those containing petroleum, diesel, fuel oil, aviation fuel, waste oil, domestic heating oil and other potentially polluting materials such as organic solvents. See also Defra code - link below. - Defra: Groundwater Protection Code - Petrol stations and other fuel dispensing facilities involving underground storage tanks
- PPG 28 Controlled Burn
This guidance will help you decide when and how to use a controlled burn as part of a fire fighting strategy to prevent or reduce damage to the environment. This version published July 2007. - CIRIA / Environment Agency joint guidelines: Concrete bunds for oil storage tanks
Guidance for the construction of simple, reinforced concrete bunds for oil storage tanks up to 3.5 metres wide and 900mm high. It is based upon CIRIA Report 163 “Construction of bunds for oil storage tanks” - CIRIA / Environment Agency Joint Guidelines: Masonry Bunds for Oil Storage Tanks
Guidance for the construction of simple, reinforced masonry bunds for oil storage tanks up to 3.5 metres wide and 1200mm high. It is based upon CIRIA Report 163 “Construction of bunds for oil storage tanks” -
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Is your site right? (Acrobat, 121KB, 1 min)
A 10-point checklist
