Pollution of groundwater and surface waters can occur when there is seepage from the residues or waste products contained in old waste disposal sites (including old un-lined landfills). Contamination of land and groundwater can also occur, through a wide range of circumstances, from diffuse or point sources. This can be an issue in urban development when potentially contaminated sites are redeveloped. For example, land and groundwater may be affected by contamination on former industrial sites such as factories and petrol filling stations where spillages of materials may have occurred over time.
Programme of Measures - Diffuse and Point Source Pollution - Waste and Contaminated Land - 2015