An industrial unit is a building used for manufacturing, assembly, processing or distribution. Across Greater London, industrial units are concentrated in Park Royal (Brent/Ealing), Enfield, Hackney Wick and parts of Tottenham. Drainage characteristics depend heavily on the activities carried out, with possible discharge of process waters, oils, chemicals, food residues, paints or metalworking fluids that may require Thames Water trade effluent consent under the Water Industry Act 1991. Common issues include unauthorised connections, contamination of surface water drains by yard run-off, and blockages from process residues. Operators should hold up-to-date trade effluent consent, arrange routine drain interceptor servicing where required, and conduct CCTV surveys on change of tenant. Pollution incidents can lead to enforcement action by the Environment Agency and significant remediation costs.
Industrial unit
Factory or workshop unit with potentially contaminated drainage and trade effluent.
