Filling Points on Farms: The South African National Standard (SANS) and the Regulations

The SANS 10206:2010 sets out general guidelines for the handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides. These guidelines focus on the procedures on how to minimize the risks to the environment and human health when handling pesticides. The SANS 10206:2010 regulations also set out the guidelines for the construction of filling points at farm level. It is stated that filling points should be well away from any water sources and that the run-off or spillage of pesticides is not allowed to come in contact with surrounding soil and water resources. Therefore, filling points must have a floor of non-porous material (waterproof cement or concrete) that is bunded by a retaining wall that is covered by wire mesh or filled with stones to prevent animals and birds from drinking the water. Alternatively, a tank can be installed to contain contaminated water from filling points, however the contents should then be removed by an accredited hazardous waste disposal company. Please note that it was confirmed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) that French drains are no longer legally accepted for the disposal of pesticide-contaminated run-off water in South Africa.

• Well away from any water sources
• The floor must be non-porous (e.g. cement with damp coursing and bunded (retaining wall)
• Evaporation pit can either be filled with stones or covered by a metal grid to prevent animals or birds from drinking the contaminated water

Adherence to the guidelines as detailed in SANS 10206:2010 is a minimum requirement. Learn more about how the handling of chemicals fits into the SIZA Environmental Assurance Model on our website: https://siza.co.za/wp-content/uploads/SIZA-Enviro-Standard-V1.2_Apr-2020.pdf