Vol. 254 No. 11
asked the Minister for Local Government if any national standards have been laid down for maximum tolerable levels of pollution in water; and, if so, if he will indicate the method whereby and the success with which such standards have been enforced.
88.
asked the Minister for Local Government the extent to which water pollution is caused in Ireland by the discharge into rivers of untreated or inadequately treated sewage.
89.
asked the Minister for Local Government the approximate proportion of sewage in Ireland which passes through publicly owned treatment works; the proportion of this which undergoes only primary settlement type treatment; the proportion which has biological treatment; the proportion which is chlorinated; and the Government's plan for the extension and improvement of sewage disposal methods.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 87, 88 and 89 together. No national standards, as such, are laid down for maximum tolerable levels of water pollution. The standards normally applied by local authorities are those originally suggested by a British Royal Commission which are now more or less universally accepted. In addition, the attention of local authorities has been drawn to recommendations for the disposal of industrial effluent waters which were recently prepared by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards.
Particulars are not available of the proportion of sewage which is subjected to treatment on the lines in question No. 89. However, local authorities are at present carrying out, at my request, a detailed survey of their sewerage systems, covering amongst other things, the method of treatment and the pollution aspects. With regard to the extent of water pollution caused by sewage discharges and the efficacy of remedial measures, the survey by the water resources division of An Foras Forbartha, which is at an advanced stage, will give an accurate and detailed assessment of the water quality in our major rivers and their tributaries and will enable local authorities to initiate appropriate remedial action where pollution is found to exist including, if necessary, action in respect of their own sewage disposal works.
Could I ask the Minister why no standards are laid down? Surely this is a basic matter which should be in operation and one for which his Department should have over-all responsibility? Why is it necessary for all sewerage schemes to be approved for grant purposes by the Department of Local Government? Why do they do all have to go to the Department of Local Government, and why if they do all have to go to the Department has it not been possible for the Department to obtain the information required in question No. 89? Surely there is not much point in sending the schemes to the Department, who hold them up, if the Department are not able to get information such as that requested in question No. 89 from this process?
The second question relates to sewage systems throughout the country many of which would be in existence or in operation for many, many years, probably since before the State was established.
Not many.
Yes, quite a number of them. We do employ the British Royal Commission standards generally which are accepted universally in dealing with new sewerage schemes when they come before the Department for approval.
If the Department of Local Government do not have an idea of where the major problem exists they have no basis on which to decide what priority to give to various proposals which are put forward for new sewerage schemes.
That is not so. I have already informed the Deputy that we have asked all local authorities to give us details of the sewerage schemes in operation within their areas. We hope to build up factual information as to the extent of pollution and the type of treatment being used in certain areas, and generally to build up a dossier in the Department giving us the full information regarding all sewerage schemes throughout the country.
When does the Minister anticipate that this will be complete?
It is quite detailed. I could not say exactly when.
Three years or one year?
No. This is a matter of some urgency as far as I am concerned and I am not prepared to wait two or three years.
I am glad to hear it.
