Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error
Bleach down drains?
Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Previous Topic Next Topic
dylscoop  
#1 Posted : 11 January 2016 11:23:46(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
dylscoop
Hi All,

What are the regulations / safety requirements regarding disposing of bleach down drains?

I need to clean out dry shippers and the manufacturer recommends 10% bleach to 90% water. We send way all dry shippers to have the liquid nitrogen safely disposed of therefore, there may be very little trace of liquid nitrogen.

Any advice would be welcome

Dylan
Back to top
westonphil  
#2 Posted : 11 January 2016 13:26:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
westonphil
You cannot put hazardous chemicals down surface water drains. With regards to sewer drains you will need a 'consent to discharge', which means it will have to be agreed with your local water company. They will then tell you what you can and cannot do and set the control requirements.

Speak to your local water company and take it from there.

Regards
Back to top
ptaylor14  
#3 Posted : 11 January 2016 14:47:28(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
ptaylor14
dylscoop wrote:
Hi All,

What are the regulations / safety requirements regarding disposing of bleach down drains?

I need to clean out dry shippers and the manufacturer recommends 10% bleach to 90% water. We send way all dry shippers to have the liquid nitrogen safely disposed of therefore, there may be very little trace of liquid nitrogen.

Any advice would be welcome

Dylan



Check data sheet or supplier for disposal instruction
Back to top
douglas.dick  
#4 Posted : 11 January 2016 15:00:42(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
douglas.dick
I understand that quantities and frequency is important, but is Bleach not designed to be put down drains? Surely that's is main use?
Back to top
chris42  
#5 Posted : 11 January 2016 15:55:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris42
quote=dylscoop]Hi All,

What are the regulations / safety requirements regarding disposing of bleach down drains?

Dylan


I would suggest :-
The water resources act 1991 amended by Water resources act (amendment) (England and Wales) regulations 2009. Also Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.

Neither are a pleasant read !!!

Discharging waste down the drain is not allowed, but in limited quantities the water undertaker may not have a problem ( or put in conditions ) and give you a permit.

If small quantities it would not be a lot different to cleaning the loo, but more and there could be a problem. By drain you mean ? Foul sewer drain ( where the toilet goes) or storm drain in the road, car park etc taking rain water. Killing all the bacteria in a sewage treatment plant will be very expensive for you, also some storm drains may just go to local rivers or streams etc again potentially killing the wildlife and a big fine. Sometimes the foul and storm drains go into one in new builds, but not always.

As above depends on the QTY and frequency, concentration etc. The only people that can authorise this is your water undertaker ( water company). You will probably need to fill out their paperwork for them to review.

BTW those vehicle wash places or company's that wash their own vehicles (soapy water) should have a permit to discharge to the drainage system. Should !!!

Chris

PS security code was changed 3 times to post this, same code ish first was 3d so going into the distance hard to see, second showed it square on with the first letter lower case and last it was uppercase. grrr
Back to top
Jimothy999  
#6 Posted : 11 January 2016 16:19:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Jimothy999
Generally anything other than domestic effluent (toilets, kitchen sinks) will need a discharge consent as has been said. Call your local water company and enquire. Describe what you have and they will tell you if you need a consent and how to apply. I applied for a consent for a small trade effluent discharge last year; very easy and only around £50 per year. Saved us a lot of money compared to having it disposed off site by lorry.

Do not underestimate the potential for bleach to cause problems in foul sewer in large quantities. Too much has the potential to wipe out all the bugs at the local sewerage treatment plant if not controlled, potentially leaving you with a very big bill from the water company! You will very likely be told a maximum amount per hour or day you can discharge in the consent.
Back to top
dylscoop  
#7 Posted : 12 January 2016 13:42:40(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
dylscoop
Thanks for the advice Gentlemen,

I will contact the water company for advice.

PS we will only be disposing of 1tl per month as we have 12 10lt dry shippers. I assume most households will use the same amount

Dylan
Back to top
andrewjb1  
#8 Posted : 12 January 2016 13:53:08(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
andrewjb1
Interesting reading, in our local Village we have a Butchers shop and everyday they scrub down the tiles with what appears to be a mix of water and either disinfectant or bleach. The liquid is then brushed out onto the pavement and left to free flow into the local road drain. I think its a practice that they have always done and I would imagine its the same at a number of butchers across the Country.
Back to top
PIKEMAN  
#9 Posted : 12 January 2016 16:46:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PIKEMAN
NOTE "surface water drains" very often lead into the nearest water course such as a river. As such no effluent, detergent or bleach SHOULD EVER be drained to them. Bleach is very toxic - DOH it kills germs! Rain water - that is what they are there for. To discharge to sewer you need a consent from the water company or sewage undertaker, as stated above.
Back to top
Users browsing this topic
Guest (3)
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2024, Yet Another Forum.NET