OpenLegislation

Control of Pollution Act 1974 in Scotland

1974 c. 40 · Enacted 31 July 1974 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 3 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 31 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 105(3)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 109
s. 24(1)-(3)repealedLitter Act 1983 Sch. 2
Sch. 2 para. 15repealedWater Act 1989 Sch. 27 Pt. 2

An Act to make further provision with respect to waste disposal, water pollution, noise, atmospheric pollution and public health; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.

[31st July 1974]C1E1C2C3C4

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Power to transfer certain functions conferred (E.W.) by Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (c. 22, SIF 100:1), s. 7(3)(a)(4)(g)

Transfer of certain functions (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 2(1)(c) (with ss. 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

C2

Act: Transfer of functions (except s. 102(2)) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1

C3

Act modified (E.W.S.) (31.5.2007) by The St Marys (Isles of Scilly) Harbour Revision Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1554), art. 17 (with arts. 19, 20)

C4

Act modified (17.3.2010) by The Harwich Parkeston Quay Harbour Revision Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/626), art. 10 (with art. 20)

Extent

E1

Act applies to Great Britain with exceptions, see s. 109.

Contents

  1. Part I: Waste on land
  2. Waste disposal arrangements
  3. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  4. Waste disposal plans
  5. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. Licensing of disposal of controlled waste.
  7. 3Prohibition of unlicensed disposal of waste.
  8. 4Provisions supplementary to s. 3.
  9. 5Licences to dispose of waste.
  10. 6Provisions supplementary to s. 5.
  11. 7Variation of conditions and revocation of licences.
  12. 8Transfer and relinquishment of licences.
  13. 9Supervision of licensed activities.
  14. 10Appeals to Secretary of State from decisions with respect to licences.
  15. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  16. Collection and disposal of controlled waste
  17. 12Collection of waste.
  18. 14Disposal of waste in England and Wales.
  19. 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  20. 16Removal of waste deposited in breach of licensing provisions.
  21. 17Special provisions with respect to certain dangerous or intractable waste.
  22. Waste other than controlled waste
  23. 18Application of preceding provisions to other waste.
  24. 19Powers of disposal authorities as respects other waste.
  25. Reclamation etc. of waste
  26. 20Reclamation of waste.
  27. 21Production of heat and electricity from waste etc.
  28. Street cleaning and litter
  29. 22Street cleaning etc.
  30. 23Prohibition of parking to facilitate street cleaning.
  31. 24Litter.
  32. Supplemental
  33. 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  34. 26Outfall pipes for sewage disposal works. Repealed
  35. 27Interference with refuse tips and dustbins etc.
  36. 28Supplementary provisions relating to pipes.
  37. 29Modification of Parts I and II to avoid duplication of control.
  38. 30Interpretation etc. of Part I.
  39. Part IA: Abandoned Mines
  40. 30YIntroductory.
  41. 30ZMine operators to give SEPA six months’ notice of any proposed abandonment.
  42. Part II: Pollution of water
  43. General provisions
  44. 30AWaters to which Part II applies.
  45. 30BClassification of quality waters. Repealed
  46. 30CWater quality objectives. Repealed
  47. 30DGeneral duties to achieve and maintain objectives etc. Repealed
  48. 30EConsultation and collaboration. Repealed
  49. Control of entry of polluting matter and effluents into water
  50. 30FPollution offences. Repealed
  51. 30GProhibition of certain discharges by notice or regulations. Repealed
  52. 30HDischarges into and from sewers etc. Repealed
  53. 30IDefence to principal offences in respect of authorised discharges. Repealed
  54. 30JOther defences to principal offences. Repealed
  55. Control of entry of polluting matter and effluents into water
  56. 31Control of pollution of rivers and coastal waters etc. Repealed
  57. 31ARequirements to take precautions against pollution. Repealed
  58. 31BNitrate sensitive areas. Repealed
  59. 31CRegistering of agreement. Repealed
  60. 31D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  61. 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  62. 33Control of sanitary appliances on vessels. Repealed
  63. Consents for discharges
  64. 34Consents for discharges of trade and sewage effluent etc. Repealed
  65. 35Reference to Secretary of State of certain applications for consent. Repealed
  66. 36Provisions supplementary to ss. 34 and 35. Repealed
  67. 37Revocation of consents and alteration and imposition of conditions. Repealed
  68. 38Restriction on variation and revocation of consent and of previous variation. Repealed
  69. 38AGeneral review of consents. Repealed
  70. 39Appeals to the Secretary of State. Repealed
  71. 40Transitional provisions relating to consent. Repealed
  72. Ancillary provisions relating to control of discharges
  73. 41Registers. Repealed
  74. 42AExclusion from registers of information affecting national security. Repealed
  75. 42BExclusion from registers of certain confidential information. Repealed
  76. Miscellaneous
  77. 46Operations by river purification authorities to remedy or forestall pollution of water. Repealed
  78. 46ANotices requiring persons to carry out anti-pollution operations. Repealed
  79. 46BGrant of, and compensation for, rights of entry etc. Repealed
  80. 46CAppeals against works notices. Repealed
  81. 46DConsequences of not complying with a works notice. Repealed
  82. 47Duty of water authorities to deal with waste from vessels etc. Repealed
  83. 48Power of water authorities to exclude unregistered vessels from rivers etc. Repealed
  84. 49Deposits and vegetation in rivers etc. Repealed
  85. 49AEnforcement notices as respects discharge consents. Repealed
  86. 49BAppeals against enforcement notices. Repealed
  87. 50Investigation of water pollution problems arising from closure of mines. Repealed
  88. 51Codes of good agricultural practice.
  89. 52Charges in respect of certain discharges in England and Wales. Repealed
  90. 53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  91. 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  92. Supplemental
  93. 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  94. 55ARegulations under this Part.
  95. 56Interpretation etc. of Part II.
  96. Part III: Noise
  97. Periodical inspections by local authorities
  98. 57Periodical inspections by local authorities. Repealed
  99. Summary proceedings to deal with noise
  100. 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  101. 58A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  102. 58B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  103. 59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  104. 59A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  105. Construction sites
  106. 60Control of noise on construction sites.
  107. 61Prior consent for work on construction sites.
  108. Noise in streets
  109. Noise abatement zones
  110. 63Designation of zones. Repealed
  111. 64Register of noise levels. Repealed
  112. 65Noise exceeding registered level. Repealed
  113. 66Reduction of noise levels. Repealed
  114. 67New buildings etc. Repealed
  115. Noise from plant or machinery
  116. 68Noise from plant or machinery.
  117. Supplemental
  118. 69Execution of works by local authority. Repealed
  119. 70Appeals to Secretary of State and magistrates’ court.
  120. 71Codes of practice for minimising noise.
  121. 72“Best practicable means”.
  122. 74Penalties.
  123. Part IV
  124. Prevention of atmospheric pollution
  125. 75Regulations about motor fuel.
  126. 76Regulations about sulphur content of oil fuel for furnaces or engines.
  127. 77Provisions supplementary to ss. 75 and 76.
  128. 78Cable burning.
  129. Information about atmospheric pollution
  130. 79Research and publicity.
  131. 80Notices requiring information about air pollution.
  132. 81Appeals against notices.
  133. 82Regulations about research and publicity.
  134. 83Provision by local authorities of information for Secretary of State.
  135. Interpretation
  136. 84Interpretation of Part IV.
  137. Part V: Supplementary provisions
  138. Legal proceedings
  139. 85Appeals to Crown Court or Court of Session against decisions of magistrates’ court or sheriff.
  140. 86. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  141. 87Miscellaneous provisions relating to legal proceedings.
  142. 88Civil liability for contravention of s. 3(3).
  143. Financial provisions
  144. 89Expenses and receipts of Secretary of State etc.
  145. 90Establishment charges and interest in respect of certain expenses of authorities.
  146. Miscellaneous
  147. 91Rights of entry and inspection etc.
  148. 92Provisions supplementary to s. 91.
  149. 93Power of authorities to obtain information.
  150. 94Prohibition of disclosure of information.
  151. 95Service of documents on and by certain undertakers.
  152. 96Local inquiries.
  153. 97Default powers.
  154. 98Interpretation of Part V.
  155. Part VI: Miscellaneous and general
  156. Miscellaneous
  157. 99Alteration of penalties.
  158. 100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  159. 101Disposal of waste etc by Atomic Energy Authority.
  160. 102Power to give effect to international agreements.
  161. 103. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  162. General
  163. 104Orders and regulations.
  164. 106General application to Scotland.
  165. 107Application to Isles of Scilly.
  166. 108Minor and consequential amendments of enactments, and repeals.
  167. 109Short title, commencement and extent.
  168. Schedule 1: Noise Abatement Zones Repealed
  169. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  170. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  171. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  172. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  173. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  174. Schedule 1A: Orders Designating Nitrate Sensitive Areas: Scotland Repealed
  175. Part I: Applications by SEPA for Designation Orders Repealed
  176. Orders made only on application Repealed
  177. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  178. Procedure for applications Repealed
  179. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  180. Part II: Orders Containing Mandatory Provisions Etc. Repealed
  181. Publication of proposal for order containing mandatory provisions Repealed
  182. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  183. Supply of copies of proposed orders Repealed
  184. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  185. Modifications of proposals Repealed
  186. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  187. Consideration of objections et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  188. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  189. Consent of Treasury for payment provisions Repealed
  190. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  191. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  192. Schedule 2: Alteration of penalties
  193. The Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897
  194. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  195. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  196. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  197. The Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906
  198. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  199. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  200. The Public Health Act 1936
  201. 6Paragraph 6
  202. 7Paragraph 7
  203. 8Paragraph 8
  204. 9Paragraph 9
  205. 10Paragraph 10
  206. 11Paragraph 11
  207. 12Paragraph 12
  208. The Public Health (Drainage of Trade Premises Act 1937
  209. 13Paragraph 13
  210. 14Paragraph 14
  211. The Water Act 1945
  212. 15Paragraph 15
  213. 16Paragraph 16
  214. 17, 18Paragraph 17, 18 Repealed
  215. The Clean Air Act 1956
  216. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  217. The Radioactive Substances Act 1960
  218. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  219. The Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968
  220. 21Paragraph 21
  221. 22Paragraph 22
  222. 23Paragraph 23
  223. 24Paragraph 24
  224. 25Paragraph 25
  225. The Clean Air Act 1968
  226. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  227. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  228. Schedule 3: Minor and consequential amendments of enactments
  229. The Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906
  230. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  231. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  232. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  233. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  234. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  235. The Public Health Act 1936
  236. 6Paragraph 6
  237. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  238. The Public Health (Drainage of Trade Premises) Act 1937
  239. 8Paragraph 8
  240. 9Paragraph 9
  241. 10Paragraph 10
  242. The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Act 1951
  243. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  244. The Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act 1951
  245. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  246. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  247. 14Paragraph 14
  248. 15Paragraph 15
  249. The Clean Air Act 1956
  250. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  251. The Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act 1961
  252. 17Paragraph 17
  253. The Public Health Act 1961
  254. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  255. The London Government Act 1963
  256. 19Paragraph 19
  257. The Water Resources Act 1963
  258. 20Paragraph 20
  259. 21Paragraph 21
  260. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  261. The Spray Irrigation (Scotland) Act 1964
  262. 23Paragraph 23
  263. The Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act 1965
  264. 24Paragraph 24
  265. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  266. The Hovercraft Act 1968
  267. 26Paragraph 26
  268. The Water Act 1973
  269. 27Paragraph 27
  270. 28Paragraph 28
  271. 29Paragraph 29
  272. 30Paragraph 30
  273. The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 Not yet in force
  274. 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
  275. Schedule 4Repeals