Business pollution

The Business Pollution Prevention Program is an environmental inspection and education program for Newcastle businesses and industry.

It is an opportunity for local companies to partner with The City of Newcastle to reduce pollution and meet their environmental legal obligations.

The program offers support in the management of business in the form of:

An environmental information kit
An environmental inspection
Assistance in developing and implementing a pollution prevention plan tailored to each business
Specific pollution information relevant to your business operations.

What are Pollution Prevention Plans?

A Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) is a site-specific environmental management plan developed to ensure a business’s environmental impacts are properly managed. It involves:

The identification of pollution issues
Remedial actions
Responsibilities
Time lines
Opportunities for staff training.

A step by step guide to developing a Pollution Prevention Plan

Step 1 - Assess business impacts and identify issues (103 kb)
Step 2 - Prioritise issues
Step 3 - Develop solutions (36 kb)
Step 4 - Determine time frames and responsibilities
Step 5 - Implementation

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) has also produced industry specific information. Information booklets can be obtained from the DECC website or by calling the DECC pollution line on 131 555.

Preventing stormwater pollution

Stormwater is rainwater that flows across hard surfaces into stormwater drains or into local waterways. The stormwater system includes street gutters, drains, pipes and channels that transport rainwater to waterways. Stormwater is not treated so it is important to keep all pollution out of the stormwater system.

The BPPP program has facilitated a shift in awareness in relation to preventing stormwater pollution. Issues include:

The importance of obtaining dry clean up spill equipment, developing a spill response plan and training staff in spill clean up procedures
Raising awareness in regard to the maintenance of stormwater trenches, pits and gutters
Encouraging managers to be aware of the volumes, velocity and direction of stormwater through their property and the potential for this water to be polluted on their premises
Changing workplace practices to reduce the risk of water pollution
The importance of good housekeeping
Staff and customer education.

Trade wastewater

Trade Wastewater is any water used or contaminated in conducting your business processes and activities. All trade wastewater drains on your premises must drain to the sewer, not the stormwater system. Businesses require a permit from the Hunter Water before discharging wastewater to the sewer.