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  • Run-off from developments built after 1 April 2007

Run-off from developments built after 1 April 2007

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This General Binding Rule (GBR) applies to the discharge of water run-off from a surface water drainage system to the water environment from buildings, roads other than water-bound roads, yards, or any other built development constructed on or after 1 April 2007, with the exception of run-off from:

  1. land of more than 30 hectares which is used for residential premises,
  2. industrial estates,
  3. land used as a motorised vehicle parking area with more than 1,000 parking spaces,
  4. motorways and trunk roads where any one outfall serves a length of road greater than 1 kilometre.

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

Run-off from developments built after 1 April 2007 is covered by General Binding Rules. If you intend to carry out this activity, and you comply with the rules set out below, your activity will be authorised. You don’t need to apply to SEPA for an authorisation.

If you carry out an activity under this authorisation you must comply with the rules. It is an offence if you do not comply with the rules.

If you cannot comply with the rules, you will need a different type of authorisation.

General Binding Rule (GBR) for run-off from developments built after 1 April 2007

  1. All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that the discharge does not result in the introduction of any substance or heat to the water environment which may give rise to harm to the water environment,

  2. the discharge must not—

    1. contain any trade effluent or domestic sewage,
    2. result in visible discolouration, iridescence, foaming or sewage fungus in the water environment, or
    3. contain any water run-off from a construction site,

  3. the discharge must not result in the destabilisation of the banks or bed of the receiving surface water,

  4. the development must be drained by a SUD system equipped to avoid the introduction of any substance or heat to the water environment which may give rise to harm to the water environment, unless—

    1. the run-off is from a development that is a single dwelling and its curtilage, or
    2. the discharge is to coastal water,

  5. (e)    the discharge must not contain any water run-off from—

    1. any fuel delivery areas constructed on or after 1 April 2007, or any areas where vehicles, plant and equipment are refuelled constructed on or after 1 April 2007,
    2. vehicle loading or unloading bays constructed on or after 1 April 2007 where potentially polluting matter is handled, or
    3. oil and chemical storage handling and delivery areas constructed on or after 1 April 2007,

  6. all facilities with which the surface water drainage system is equipped to avoid the introduction of any substance or heat which may give rise to harm to the water environment, including oil interceptors, silt traps and SUD system attenuation, settlement and treatment facilities, must be maintained in good order and repair,

  7. All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that any matter liable to block, obstruct, or otherwise impair the ability of the surface water drainage system to avoid the introduction of any substance or heat to the water environment, which may give rise to harm to the water environment, is prevented from entering the drainage system.

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