Due to chronic shortages in the UK, sewage treatment chemicals have been added to the growing list of products that are in short supply. Shortage of truck drivers, It appeared.
The government has informed sewage treatment plants that they may be able to discharge inadequately treated sewage due to interruptions caused by “supply chain failures.”
in a Regulatory Position Statement Released on tuesday Environment Agency An exemption was introduced, which means that if certain companies do not have the right chemicals, they will not have to go through the third stage of wastewater treatment.
The Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated that the exemption is related to the insufficient supply of iron sulfate, which is an acidic solution used to inhibit the growth of algae.
It stated that the temporary relaxation of the rules will continue until the end of the year to allow “discharge from water treatment plants that cannot meet the permit conditions due to the inevitable shortage of chemicals used to treat sewage”.
A government spokesperson stated that the water supply to consumers will not be affected, and any waste treatment company wishing to obtain an exemption will need to obtain prior approval from Defra.
It also stated that it has not yet been notified by the water company of the shortage of iron sulphate, but it is introducing a regulatory stance as a preventive measure.
The chemical industry is the latest in a series of industries that have been hit by a chronic shortage of truck drivers. Brexit And pandemic.
Recent weeks Nando’s is hit by shortages chicken, McDonald’s milkshake ran out IKEA is struggling with the supply of about 1,000 products, including mattresses.
The Chemical Business Association says it has issued a warning Boris Johnson, Minister of Transportation Grant Sharps And business secretary Quasi Quatten Since June this year, the supply of key chemicals in the water and agricultural industries may be disrupted.
A recent survey of its members showed that 93% of people face transportation shortages, up from 61% in the first quarter of this year.
One of the concerns is that as anyone carrying dangerous substances requires additional qualifications, the shortage of drivers in the chemical industry will become even more serious.
CBA CEO Tim Doggett (Tim Doggett) said: “We see that the pressure on the driver’s side is really great.”
“My worries and what I said to the Ministry of Transportation this morning is the musical chair game we will see. If your driver is facing a job, it means that he did not leave the cab and deal with hazardous substances, and the driver gets the same You have to deal with dangers and have special qualifications, so you know which driver will go to work,” he added.
A government spokesperson said: “This operation has a strict time limit and sufficient conditions to reduce the risk to the environment.
“The most sensitive and high-risk waterways will not be affected. Any company planning to use this short-term measure must first contact Environment Agency, Which will check compliance. “
