Water Quality Management Performance
Our stewardship of the waterways under our control means that we have responsibilities with regard to the quality of that water. Pollution of water is possible from ships as well as from land-based sources, and we work hard to fulfil our legal responsibilities in this respect. We have set targets for improving our management of water quality at our ports. The table below shows the commitments we have set and our progress:
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Water Quality Management Commitments |
Progress to Date |
Action |
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Examine risks of water pollution in each of our ports and implement actions to reduce them.
|
Ongoing |
The risks of water pollution at each port will be assessed as part of the review of the Environmental Risk Register (ERR) Port of Fleetwood – Has implemented a system of water quality testing in the dock in conjunction with Blackpool Tower Aquarium. Significant improvement in water quality has been observed over the past few years. Port of Cardiff – Has installed a ‘Bubble Barrier’ in the docks. In the unlikely event of an oil spill the bubble barrier is designed to trap the oil and therefore prevent the spread of oil through the dock system or into the Severn Estuary |
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Review Oil Spill Response Plans (OPRC) in light of recommendations made by internal audit.
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Ongoing |
The internal audit report is now complete and recommendations for review are currently being communicated to the ports by the Sustainable Development Team |
| Participate in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plans | ABP represent port interests on the Humber and South East Liaison Panels | Ongoing |
|
Review surface and waste water infrastructure to minimise effect of port operations on water quality |
Best practice guidance was issued in 2006 and information is available to employees via the intranet |
The table will be updated as progress continues against each commitment