Guidance

Temporary water discharges from excavations

Environment Agency regulatory position statement for temporary dewatering excavations such as for construction activities.

This publication was withdrawn on

This publication been replaced by guidance on dewatering building sites and other excavations: environmental permits.

Applies to England

Documents

Regulatory position statement: Temporary water discharges from excavations

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Details

This guidance explains requirements which permit you to discharge uncontaminated water from excavations.

The full list of requirements must be met for an application for an environmental permit to not be needed. Any discharge must not be contaminated and must not cause pollution or be be into or near a protected site.

‘Temporary’ means up to a maximum of 3 consecutive months.

This regulatory position statement is frequently reviewed and may change. .

Published 25 June 2013
Last updated 14 July 2015 + show all updates
  1. Updated July 2015 for: legislation changes; clarification of when it can be used; mitigation effects of loss of PPG6; taking account of non native invasive species.

  2. First published.