Standards and charges in the control of trade effluent discharges to public sewers in England and Wales

Trade effluent discharges to public sewers in England and Wales are controlled by two policy instruments, a charge and a standard. The charge is probably the nearest thing to a pollution tax currently existing in the United Kingdom. The basis of the charge is explained and the impact of these controls on dischargers examined. The relationship between optimal trade effluent charges and capacity at collective sewage works is developed. An empirical study of the effects of the charges on dischargers is presented.