Some of the relevant issues are considered in the brief case study of the UK waste policy presented in the next section. Large amounts of heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and organic chloride compounds were being discharged, causing deterioration of water quality, sediment pollution and the loss of indigenous species. The problem was serious enough to jeopardise the use of water resources for human activities. Though supervised by the provinces, the water boards have a high degree of operational and financial independence.