Andel-IWS provides a range of materials and services within the field of environmental protection. We provide regular servicing and support to clients that have petrol interceptors and oil separators installed at their premises. We also offer CCTV drainage surveys, site surveys and water sampling where required.

All IWS products and services are fully compliant with the guidelines set by the Environment Agency.

Oil or separator units catch any oil entering into surface water systems. These units are essential tools for protecting our environment and preventing pollution, however they can only work if they have been installed properly and are regularly maintained.

Any company that fails to take the appropriate precautions is at risk of causing a major environmental incident and will be penalised accordingly. As an example, in 2005 a national haulage company was successfully prosecuted in court and fined £20,000 plus costs for causing environmental damage. A leaking oil tank had polluted a nearby river with over 5000 litres of diesel and this cost the company clean up costs in excess of £1.6M. This could so easily have been avoided.

IWS offer a number of services which enable their clients to guard against such pollution incidents and avoid the often costly consequences.
Interceptor Inspections

It is a requirement of PPG03 that interceptors are inspected regularly normally with a major structural survey every five years.

IWS can provide this service and will produce a full report with photographs of the internal condition of the tank if possible. The report includes details of the make, type, flow rate, filter size, alarm details and specific gravity lock type (where possible).
Interceptor Commissioning

Once an interceptor has been installed it is often a good idea to commission it. This involves an internal inspection and deals with the following areas:

• Inspection of the current water level to ensure the interceptor is watertight
• Inspection of the filter to ensure security and positioning is correct
• Ensuring that the alarm system has been installed correctly and is fully working
• Calibrate the working height of the oil layer thickness probe
• Inspection of the chambers for any sign of silt

A summary of our findings will be returned, together with any issues that are highlighted during the commissioning process.
Interceptor Emptying

It is important to establish a regular maintenance regime which will include the removal of oil and silt from the interceptor. This must be carried out by an EA approved waste disposal expert such as IWS. Whilst emptying the interceptor is important to ensure that any filters should be changed to ensure operational efficiency. These filters should not be removed unless the interceptor is fully drained.

It is also important that the interceptor is fully recharged after being emptied otherwise it will become ineffective and potential pollution incidents may occur.

Alarm systems should also be checked during the maintenance visit to ensure that they are fully working and remain calibrated.

All of this is carried out during an IWS Interceptor emptying and we have numerous satisfied customer who reply on IWS to maintain their interceptors and ensure that they are compliant with all the relevant environmental legislation.