COST OF CONTAMINATION OF OUR GROUND AND WATER

The release of stored chemicals through leaks and spills can lead to the contamination of soils, surface and ground waters. Surface water and groundwater may mobilise pollutants from many different sources and may, therefore, contain a variety of contaminants. Water that becomes contaminated with pollutants from land sources can reach surface and coastal waters via runoff from rain. Polluted surface waters can filter down to groundwater and may seep slowly for long distances, and over time eventually emerge into rivers, springs or wetlands.

Contaminated water can also infiltrate land to an extent where the land itself becomes contaminated to a level that some form of remediation would be required. Soil can also be contaminated through direct discharges of pollutants, which in turn may result in water pollution.

Water, soil and land contamination have a direct impact on human health, ecological health and land uses. This contamination can also have significant financial impacts for industry and the community because of the high clean-up costs.

Where contamination also affects surrounding properties, the owner or occupier of the premises causing the contamination may be liable for third-party damages and these can be significant.

Preventing leaks, monitoring and early detection minimises the potential for widespread contamination and avoids expensive clean-up operations for industry.One of the best products to eliminate the potential of pollution is the use of a bunding system.

WHAT IS A BUND?

A bund is an embankment or wall of brick, stone, concrete or other impervious material, which forms the perimeter and floor of a compound and provides a barrier to retain liquid. Since the bund is the main part of a spill containment system, the whole system (or bunded area) is colloquially referred to as the ‘bund’. Bunds should be designed to contain spillages and leaks of liquids used, stored or processed above ground.Bunds can be of permanent such as around storage tanks, or temporary where the storage is short to medium term.

Some of the applications that may require temporary storage would be:-

General spill containment

Oil and gas industry

Wash down applications where contaminated water must be collected

Truck and car wash bays

Routine servicing of vehicles and plant equipment.

For More Information Visit: -   Bund Liner