Following a major fire incident, the safe removal of contaminated fire water is critical to protecting the environment and support site recovery. CountyClean, an Ipsum group company, provides emergency fire water removal services, delivering rapid and compliant solutions in high-risk situations.
We were recently instructed to attend a waste management facility following an active fire, where large volumes of fire water had accumulated across the site.
The Incident
The fire, which affected approximately 30m x 30m of waste, required an emergency response team to remain on site for several hours.
According to updates from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, the cause was identified as a lithium-ion battery, highlighting the growing risk associated with improper battery disposal.
As a result of the firefighters efforts, significant volumes of contaminated fire water were collected within the site interceptors and surrounding areas, creating an urgent requirement for hazardous water removal.
The Challenge
Fire water runoff can contain harmful contaminants, including oils, chemicals and debris. If not managed correctly, it can pose serious environmental and operational risks.
This project required:
- Rapid response to prevent further spread of contaminated water
- Specialist equipment capable of handling large volumes
- Safe working practises in a recently active fire environment
- Full compliance with environmental and waste regulations set out by the Environment Agency.
Our Emergency Response
As part of our emergency tanker services, the CountyClean team mobilised quickly to stabilise the situation and begin removal works.
We attended the site with both vacuum tankers and articulated vacuum tankers, enabling the efficient removal of large volumes of fire water from:
- The site interceptor
- Surface pooling areas across the site
Controlled Waste Removal
All fire water was safely extracted and contained, preventing any further environmental impact and allowed the site to regain control of their operations.
Licensed Waste Disposal
All collected waste was transported to a fully licensed waste disposal facility, ensuring full compliance and duty of care requirements.
The Result
Our team delivered a fast and effective emergency fire water removal service, supporting the site during a critical recovery phrase.
Key outcomes included:
- Rapid removal of contaminated fire water
- Prevention of further environmental risk
- Safe and compliant handling of hazardous waste
- Enabling the site to continue recovery operations without delay
The Importance of Proper Battery Disposal
This incident serves as an important reminder of the risks associated with incorrect battery disposal.
Lithium-ion batteries can cause:
- Fires due to thermal runaway
- Release of taxic gases
- Significant environmental damage
Batteries should always be disposed of at a designated recycling facilities to reduce fire risk and protect both people and the environment. Learn more about the current regulations regarding recycling batteries here.