Quick answer: Grounds maintenance contractors who use pressure washers face the same Environmental Permitting obligations as any mobile wash-down operation. Wash-down water containing detergents, oil, pesticide or organic contamination cannot enter surface water drains. Equipment wash-down is higher risk — must be over a sealed surface draining to foul sewer. COSHH assessments must cover all cleaning chemicals used. The Environment Agency enforces these obligations and penalties for significant pollution incidents can be significant.
Grounds maintenance contractors who use pressure washers for hard surface cleaning, equipment wash-down and site maintenance face the same environmental permitting obligations as any other mobile wash-down operation — but are often less aware of them than their counterparts in the vehicle washing and industrial cleaning sectors.
The environmental permitting issue — wash-down water disposal
When you pressure wash a car park, path, sports court surface or equipment yard, the wash-down water picks up whatever was on the surface — oil, fuel residues, pesticide residues, fertiliser, algaecides, detergents, animal waste and general organic contamination. In the UK, drainage systems split into two types: surface water drains that discharge directly to rivers, streams and watercourses; and foul sewers that route to sewage treatment works. The kerb drains on most car parks, commercial yards and public spaces are surface water drains. Discharging contaminated wash-down water to a surface water drain is an offence under Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 and the Water Resources Act 1991.
Practical control measures
- Checking drainage direction before starting — does the surface drain to surface water or foul sewer?
- Using temporary drainage plugs or berms to contain wash-down water on sealed surfaces
- Wet vacuuming wash-down water before it reaches drains and disposing via foul sewer
- Scheduling wash-down of surfaces that drain to surface water during dry conditions where water soaks into permeable surfaces
- Using minimum water and biodegradable cleaning agents to reduce the contamination load
Equipment wash-down — higher risk
Washing mowers, tractors, trailers and other grounds maintenance equipment presents higher environmental risk because equipment carries oil, fuel residues, hydraulic fluid and lubricants that are acutely toxic to aquatic organisms. Equipment wash-down must be conducted over a sealed, contained surface with a drain connection to foul sewer. Many grounds maintenance depots do not have a dedicated wash-down bay with foul sewer connection, which means equipment wash-down at the depot is non-compliant.
Pesticide and herbicide residues
Grounds maintenance operations that include pesticide or herbicide application face additional obligations. Pesticide residues in wash-down water are regulated under both Environmental Permitting Regulations and Control of Pesticides Regulations. Equipment used for pesticide application must not be washed where residues can reach watercourses — including indirect routes via surface water drains.
COSHH for cleaning chemical use
Any cleaning chemical used during grounds maintenance pressure washing operations is a COSHH-controlled substance. A COSHH assessment is required covering each chemical, the exposure route and the control measures. SDS sheets must be available on site or in the vehicle.
Contact V-TUF for grounds maintenance equipment specification: 01522 787978
Further reading: Grounds maintenance equipment hub | Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 | COSHH Regulations 2002 | Cleaning trade hub | Choose the right machine for the job
