AN invention being tried out in a oily scrapyard in Bury could have a worldwide impact on the environment, North West Water claims.

The new way of tackling potential ground water pollution problems at the country's thousands of scrap yards and car breakers will drastically reduce the amount of polluted wastewater produced.

The scheme involves setting up a breaker bay which allows scrap yards to break down engines and then collect waste oil, clutch and brake fluids within a self-contained area.

The bay would ensure any wastewater produced would be allowed to settle and separate in holding tanks before going to the sewer as low strength trade effluent. If no drains are available the waste will be tankered off.

Eliminate

The idea would eliminate the need to lay a concrete surface on sites - which, in the past, has helped to make the problem worse as local sewers are filled with rain water running off the smooth, hard surface.

But with the new bay and no concrete the majority of fluids would be collected while any excess would be soaked up in the ground.

The idea, created through a partnership involving the water company, the Environment Agency, the Business Environment Association and engineering company Garic Plant from Ramsbottom, is tipped to have "significant" environmental implications.

Autospare, of Tile Street, Bury have agreed to test drive the revolutionary bay which will be overseen by North West Water.

David Forster, the area protection manager, said: "As far as I am aware this prototype is probably the only one of its kind anywhere in the world.

"This is a method of containment which provides a real alternative to any current practice and, at around half the price, something which I am sure the industry will welcome."

He said a waste management licence or an exemption would still be required by scrap yards although he is optimistic the Environment Agency will incorporate the new system into national policy.

Mike Kinsella, the Business Environment Association manager, said: "The implications could be quite huge."

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