Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Building Regulations.

John Gormley

Question:

591 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the fact that many local authorities allowed the construction of septic tanks in unsuitable areas which has resulted and will result in serious damage to ground, water and the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18560/99]

Nora Owen

Question:

616 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the use of septic tanks is environmentally desirable; if he has further satisfied himself that regulation SR6/1991 is relevant to today's higher environmental standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18003/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 616 together.

It is a matter for the relevant planning authority, and An Bord Pleanála on appeal, to assess whether or not a particular site is suitable for on-site disposal of effluent, and if necessary to attach the appropriate conditions in any planning permission granted. In the case of septic tanks, the Standard Recommendation for Septic Tank Systems, S.R.6: 1991, drawn up by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, was brought to the attention of local authorities by way of my Department's circular letter PD1/92 of 8 January 1992. Local authorities were requested, inter alia, to ensure that septic tank and percolation systems were properly installed in accordance with the planning permission granted and the standard recommendation.

The standard recommendation provides guidance for the proper maintenance of septic tanks by way of regular desludging and the proper disposal of the sludge. Primary responsibility for ensuring proper maintenance of septic tanks and compliance with any relevant planning conditions rests with the owners of the septic tanks. In circular letter PD 1/92, local authorities were requested to consider appropriate educational, publicity and advisory measures on proper maintenance and desludging regimes for septic tanks. My Department's circular letter PD 3/94 advised planning authorities on dealing with the alternative proprietary waste water treatment systems which in certain circumstances can offer equal or better protection to groundwater than a septic tank and percolation area.

Local authorities, as statutory pollution control authorities, have a full range of powers and remedies available under the Water Pollution Acts, 1977 to 1990, to deal with any pollution or potential pollution from septic tanks.

In relation to the building regulations, I refer to my reply to Question No. 581 on today's Order Paper.

The publication Groundwater Protection Schemes, launched in May 1999, provides guidance for local authorities on the preparation of groundwater protection schemes. The publication was developed jointly by the Geological Survey of Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency and my Department. Groundwater protection schemes are intended to provide practical guidance to assist planning and licensing authorities in their decision-making in relation to the location, nature and control of developments and activities which have potential to pollute groundwater. The schemes are used to develop land-use zoning maps, which indicate, on a prioritised basis, areas in which additional investigations or groundwater protection measures are, or may be, required, that is precautionary conditions and prohibition of specified activities-developments. Two supplementary publications, Groundwater Protection Responses for Landfills and Groundwater Protection Responses to the Landspreading of Organic Wastes were also published in May. A similar "responses" publication is being prepared in relation to threats to groundwaters from single house systems, which would include septic tanks.