Bohle’s managing director has warned that glass processors run the risk of major fines by failing to stay on top of legislation governing the disposal of wastewater. Water and coolant used in glass processing are defined as trade effluent. As such, insulated glass unit (IGU) manufacturers and glass processors have to get prior consent from water companies, under Section 118 [5] of the Water Industry Act, to discharge water used in the manufacturing process into the sewer system.
Companies that get caught discharging trade effluent without approval face heavy fines under the Act – something which Dave Broxton, Bohle’s managing director, warns is already happening across the country. “Everyone has been very busy keeping up with demand, but that can mean things slip. Wastewater compliance is something that you really can’t afford to let that happen to, because, if you do, you face some very hefty penalties. If you haven’t got them already, it really is time to check your approvals and apply for a discharge license.”
Under the Water Industry Act, the financial penalties imposed by the water services regulation authority, Ofwat, for the failure to comply with rules governing trade effluent can run as high as 10% of a company’s turnover. “It’s an unnecessary risk, especially when government and local authority funding is available to help companies manage their wastewater more effectively,” Dave said.
Support includes a significant tax break this year, as part of the UK government’s Covid response. The super deduction scheme allows companies to claim a deduction in their tax bill if they invest in new plant and machinery with a capital allowance of 130% on qualifying equipment. In real terms, this means that, as a glass processor, if you committed to spend £100,000 on machinery, you can deduct £130,000 from your taxable profits.
“You can use it for other things as well, but I’d argue that investing in say a new sedimentor, to help you lower your operating costs and manage your wastewater more effectively for the long term, is a very good use of the scheme,” Dave said. Suitable for a wide assortment of grinding, drilling and sawing glass equipment, Bohle sedimentors use a sophisticated and automated, multi-stage process to remove contaminants from coolants and water, this includes filtering glass particles of < 5 µm or less. Doing so uses far less energy.
Combined with improved product quality and increased tool life, as well as trimming around 10% off the costs of water disposal, Bohle suggests that its sedimentors will pay back against purchase costs in as little as a year. For more about Bohle’s product and service offer, visit www.bohle.com email info@bohle.ltd.uk, or call the customer services team for free, on 0800 616 151.
