Prevention and Control of Water Pollution
UK Legislation
A range of legislation deals with different aspects of water pollution control. There are different laws for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
England & Wales
Controlling Polluting Activities: Environmental Permits etc
River Basin Planning under the Water Framework Directive
Scotland
Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Department of Environment website gives details of relevant laws.
European Legislation
The European Community set out water pollution as a priority matter at its First Action Programme on the Environment in 1973. Since then, a number of European directives have been introduced to reduce and control pollution in European waters. They are listed in the law search.
International Water Pollution Legislation
International law deals mostly with marine pollution.
