Prevent groundwater pollution from cemeteries

This guidance is for local councils or other cemetery operators who manage sites in Wales. It sets out our approach to the regulation of cemeteries to protect groundwater.  Here you can find advice on:

• new cemeteries and extensions to existing sites
• existing cemeteries
• disposal of ashes at cemeteries or crematoria
• arrangements for human burials in emergencies

New cemeteries and extensions to existing sites

Any new cemetery or extension to an existing site, including grave plot reuse and ‘lift and deepen’ methods, must:

• comply with minimum groundwater protection requirements
• produce a groundwater risk assessment

Existing cemeteries

Existing cemeteries may not meet the minimum groundwater protection requirements and therefore could need some form of intervention to control groundwater and prevent pollution. For example, artificial drainage and abstraction for removal.

You must collect any artificially drained groundwater, treat it as contaminated, and dispose of it as foul water. You’ll need an environmental permit to carry out these actions unless you have permission to discharge to mains foul drainage. Contact your local sewerage provider in these cases.

Tell us about any cemeteries where these interventions may be required.

Minimum groundwater protection requirements

You should not carry out any human burials within:

• a groundwater source protection zone 1 (SPZ1)
• 10 metres of the nearest field drain. These are:
• a ditch or open land drain that receives surface water run-off from surrounding land
• buried pipes or gravel-filled channels which are used to drain surface water from fields by gravity
• 50 metres from the nearest spring or watercourse
• 250 metres of any well, spring or borehole where the water is intended for human consumption or used in food production
• areas identified as having karstic groundwater flow characteristics – these areas are highly vulnerable to pollution because groundwater can flow quickly through the many fissures and fractures in the rocks

You should not carry out any human burials on land which is liable to flooding from either surface water or groundwater.

You should make the base of each grave at least 1 metre above the highest anticipated annual groundwater level.  Always allow for any potential rise in the water table, including seasonal variations and extreme rainfall.

You should not dig graves in unaltered or un-weathered bedrock. This is solid rock which:

• can be buried or exposed at the earth’s surface
• has not been altered by physical or chemical reactions (or both) such as exposure to the weather

Groundwater risk assessment

We use a proportionate approach when assessing groundwater risk assessments. The risk for each site will depend on many factors, including the:

• vulnerability and sensitivity of the underlying groundwater
• depth to the water table
• proximity of groundwater abstractions, particularly those used for drinking water or food production purposes
• proximity to watercourses and wetland habitats
• aquifer type and local hydrogeological conditions
• number and density of burials
• burial techniques employed

We will oppose any cemeteries where the risk assessment demonstrates that the risk to groundwater is high.

Disposing of ashes

Cemetery or crematoria owners and managers must carry out a site-specific groundwater risk assessment if ash is scattered at their sites.

Arrangements for human burials in emergencies

During an emergency situation, such as a health epidemic or disaster, it’s a priority to keep sources of drinking water safe from contamination.

Emergency planners should always try to use alternatives to burial for body disposal, such as cremation. Plans for using existing cemeteries, or land reserved for new cemeteries, must not affect the quality or safety of groundwater or any other water supplies.

Emergency burials must:

• comply with minimum groundwater protection requirements
• produce a groundwater risk assessment

Any temporary morgue or mortuary must be able to contain bodily fluids, microbes, substances and chemicals. This may involve sealing drains for safe collection of liquids for later removal by a specialist contractor.