Protection of Surface and Groundwater - General Principle

In assessing proposals the Department must have regard to the need to protect the quality of surface water and groundwater. Whilst modern containment and drainage engineering has significantly reduced the likelihood of water contamination, waste development has the potential to pollute surface and groundwater resources if operations are not properly controlled and monitored. In particular problems can arise from surface water run-off, landfill leachate and the discharge of wastewater from waste management operations such as composting and recycling plants. Developers must ensure that a suitable drainage system is proposed which will prevent contaminants from reaching surface water drains or groundwater resources.