Leak-Proof Logic: Double Containment for an Age of Agricultural Accountability

Agriculture is under the microscope. With pollution levels rising, water quality declining, and regulations tightening, UK farms and treatment sites are being asked to do more than ever before. Nutrient runoff and chemical discharge are no longer tolerable side effects. They are environmental risks with legal, financial, and ecological consequences.

In England, over 60 percent of rivers that fail to meet good ecological status are impacted by agricultural pollution. Nitrogen and phosphorus levels in key catchments are pushing ecosystems past safe thresholds. The intensification of farming practices in certain areas has accelerated the problem. Today, only 14 percent of English rivers meet the target for good ecological health. Across the UK, government bodies are calling for transformative action, and infrastructure plays a key role.

This is not a distant concern. It is happening now and it demands solutions that are robust, reliable, and ready.

The AMP8 Challenge

AMP8, the eighth Asset Management Period for the UK water industry, began in April 2025 and runs until March 2030. It is the most ambitious AMP to date, with more than £100 billion in total planned investment.

At its core, AMP8 focuses on measurable environmental outcomes. This includes:

• Reducing phosphorus levels at nearly 900 wastewater treatment plants
• Tackling agricultural and industrial pollution at source
• Improving stormwater resilience and river water quality
• Strengthening collaboration between water companies, regulators, and supply chains

AMP8 brings specific expectations around nutrient reduction. Targets include a 50 percent reduction in phosphorus at selected sites by 2028 and an 80 percent reduction by 2038. These goals cannot be met without upstream intervention. That means greater responsibility for landowners, engineers, and agricultural producers, and a sharper focus on the containment of harmful substances before they enter watercourses.

Why Double Containment Is Essential

Traditional single-wall pipework is not designed for modern environmental expectations. In high-risk applications such as fertiliser handling, chemical dosing, or wastewater movement, any failure of containment can lead to significant environmental damage, expensive remediation, and enforcement penalties.

Double containment systems provide an added layer of protection. The inner carrier pipe transports the substance, while the outer containment pipe acts as a secondary barrier. Leak detection methods can alert site teams before any release reaches the surrounding environment.

This approach is not just about regulatory compliance. It is about operational confidence and environmental responsibility. As agriculture faces increased scrutiny, particularly in nutrient-sensitive regions, the infrastructure supporting these operations must be built for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s standards.

How IPS Flow Systems Supports Agriculture and AMP8 Delivery

IPS Flow Systems is a leading supplier of double-containment systems across the UK and Ireland. More importantly, we act as a partner in compliance and performance. We help agricultural professionals, contractors, and water companies design and implement systems that are resilient, regulation-ready, and built to last.

AgruSafe Double-Containment Systems

Our AgruSafe product range includes chemically resistant inner and outer pipe combinations. Materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and PVDF are selected based on the specific chemical media involved. These systems are engineered to deliver reliable containment in demanding environments and simplify installation, monitoring, and maintenance.

Technical Design and Specification Support

We work closely with engineers and consultants to evaluate site conditions, review compatibility, and recommend optimal configurations. Whether designing for new infrastructure or upgrading existing systems, our team provides the guidance needed to make confident, compliant choices.

Onsite Advice and Accredited Training

Our technical specialists offer site visits and training, supporting installers with detailed instructions and best practice advice. IPS also provides CPD-accredited learning to upskill teams and raise awareness of modern containment expectations.

Fast and Reliable Delivery

We maintain extensive stocks of containment systems and components, with next-day delivery available across most of the UK and Ireland. With AMP8 deadlines and permit-driven schedules in play, this responsiveness helps projects stay on track.

Compliance and Documentation Support

We assist with the paperwork too. From product traceability to installation records and technical datasheets, IPS helps you maintain a clear compliance trail for audits, permits, and internal QA processes.

A Shift in Culture and Accountability

New initiatives such as Catchment Sensitive Farming and Nutrient Management Boards reflect a growing push towards accountability. The expectation is no longer based on intention but on measurable outcomes. Reducing nutrient load, eliminating point-source pollution, and demonstrating environmental improvement are now core to the agricultural role.

Producers who invest in robust infrastructure — including double-containment systems — are not only avoiding enforcement but actively contributing to cleaner catchments and healthier ecosystems. It is a shift toward stewardship, and it starts with what happens underground.

Containment is about more than compliance. It reflects a mindset of responsibility and forward planning.

Partner with IPS for Proven Solutions

IPS Flow Systems is ready to support every stage of your containment journey. From early design discussions to final installation and beyond, our team brings experience, technical knowledge, and a commitment to helping you succeed.

We supply:

• Double-containment systems suited to chemical and fertiliser handling
• Tailored specification and risk analysis
• Onsite support and training
• Documentation to meet environmental and safety requirements
• Rapid stock availability and responsive customer service

Let’s work together to protect your operation, your community, and your waterways.

📧 sales@ipsflowsystems.com 📞 UK: 0191 521 3111 | IRE: +353 1 2573741 🌐 www.ipsflowsystems.com

References

• Environment Agency: State of Rivers Reports
• DEFRA: Environmental Land Management Schemes
• AMP8 Investment Overview, UK Water Industry
• Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme
• Nutrient Management Policy Briefings
• River Trust and Ofwat Environmental Performance Data