Managing and Preventing Pollution
Our businesses manage air, water, soil and noise pollution – and their associated risks – through local regulatory compliance, measurement, monitoring and preventative actions.
There are preventative measures in place to address various types of pollution, for example the provision of sound barriers ranging from solid screens to specialist planting along our motorways to manage noise pollution.
Due to the impermeable nature of roadways and the safety concerns that can arise on wet, oily roads, the management of water pollution is a focus for all our businesses.
Responsible water pollution management
Stormwater runoff pollutants can harm the natural environment, which is why stormwater management is important for us. Our motorways occupy large areas, and their surfaces are impermeable, preventing water from naturally running into the ground. It is therefore important we safely capture polluted stormwater runoff and divert it through infiltration basins for treatment or capture and treat it before allowing it to directly enter into a water course. Our businesses manage this process in various ways, depending on the location and topography of the roadway. At APRR alone, there are more than 2,000 treatment basins equipped with oil separators across the network
Wastewater management at all our businesses may include specific processes for identification and treatment during incidents and the regular monitoring of necessary maintenance of treatment facilities, including non-collective wastewater systems, to ensure their efficiency and regulatory compliance
Treatment basins managing stormwater naturally and sustainably
More than 2,000 water treatment basins at APRR are effectively managing stormwater runoff, while protecting and benefitting local ecosystems. During rainy periods, water runs onto roadways and the rainwater collection systems channel it to the dedicated treatment basins. The basins serve two purposes: they prevent uncontrolled discharge; and they decontaminate the water from roads by separating hydrocarbons, brake particles, oils and even heavy metals from the water through settlement processes. These polluting elements stay trapped inside the basin so they cannot enter natural waterways.
