What is controlled water?
Controlled Waters can be defined as the following: Rivers, streams, lakes, canals, coastal waters, estuaries and groundwater. This means all water which is below the surface of the ground in the saturation zone and in direct contact with the ground or subsoil.
For the purposes of an oil tank pollution risk assessment, consideration should also be given to any ditches, Soakaway, septic tanks and gullies which could pollute groundwater or reach controlled waters. Environment Agency defined Special Protection Zones (water abstraction points and aquifers) should be equally protected.