Diffuse Pollution Guidance

Category: Environment

Delivered by: Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Often driven by rainfall, water pollution from diffuse sources arises from the loss of potential pollutants such as nutrients, chemicals, bacteria and soil, into the local water environment. Individually, losses from land use may be of little risk to water quality, but when combined across a river catchment they can impact on ecology, drinking and bathing water quality. Both what you do on the land and how you manage run-off are key to controlling diffuse pollution. To help you understand your responsibilities in terms of the Diffuse Pollution Regulations, SEPA has produced a suite leaflets which explain the general binding rule requirements you are expected to comply with: Diffuse pollution: explained Diffuse pollution: application of pesticide Diffuse pollution: cultivation of land Diffuse pollution: keeping of livestock Diffuse pollution: operation of sheep dipping facilities Diffuse pollution: storage and application of fertilisers Diffuse pollution: forestry