The annual report has shown that for the first time oils and fuels are the most significant type of pollutant, accounting for 5,308 incidents or 30% of the total.
While the number of major incidents involving fuels and oils fell overall from 1997, the total is still “significantly higher” than in 1996, reinforcing the need for the Government’s proposed regulations on oil storage.
Overall trends are encouraging, however, with the number of pollution incidents from industrial and sewage-related sources continuing to decline.
Pollution incidents arising from the construction industry account for the largest proportion of industrial sources.