What causes pollution of surface waters and groundwater?

Almost any solid, liquid or gaseous substance entering surface waters or groundwater could be classified as a pollutant. This includes chemicals, salt, wash waters, waste products, trade effluents, and fuels. Rainwater that runs across your land/site/premises can also be classed as a pollutant if it becomes contaminated by substances from your land/site/premises. Almost all substances used and disposed of by businesses are unsuitable for discharge to surface waters or groundwater without prior treatment. Even hot water can be classified as a pollutant in some circumstances. Does this apply to me? This guideline applies to you if: • you discharge or have the potential to discharge anything into surface waters or groundwater apart from clean, uncontaminated surface water (i.e. clean rainwater which has not been contaminated when running over your land/site/premises), or • there is a possibility that substances may enter surface waters or groundwater accidentally (for example by ...  more