Last edited 02 Apr 2026

Diffuse pollution

The SuDS Manual published by CIRIA in 2015 defines diffuse pollution as: ‘Pollution arising from land-use activities (urban and rural) that are dispersed across a catchment, or sub-catchment, and do not arise as a process effluent, municipal sewage effluent or an effluent discharge from farm buildings.’

The Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report (1995–1999) Volume 1 and Volume 2 via the Joint Nature Conservation Committee defines diffuse pollution as "Pollution caused by the general use or manufacture of certain substances, which does not readily lend itself to control at the point of use. Examples are the release of solvents into the air through the use of some paints and adhesives, or the discharge of phosphates from washing powders into the sewerage system."

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