Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
31 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that are being taken to deal with the serious problem of pollution of ground water from the growth in the number of septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16518/04]
View answer52 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to introduce a grant scheme to encourage the upgrading of septic tanks in areas in which it has been shown that the quality of ground water is deteriorating. [16453/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 52 together.
Primary responsibility for ensuring that water quality is protected against pollution from septic tanks lies with the operator of the tank. A person who causes or permits polluting matter to enter waters, directly or indirectly, commits an offence under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and, in addition to such penalties as may be applied by a court, can he held responsible for any necessary remedial measures. The Water Services Bill 2003, which is currently before the Seanad, will place a general duty of care on owners-occupiers to ensure that septic tanks and other treatment systems serving their premises are kept so as not to cause a nuisance, or a risk to human health or the environment.
Local authorities, acting under the general supervision of the EPA, have a wide range of powers and duties to protect water quality. Discharges from septic tanks serving large-scale or commercial premises are subject to licensing under the Acts. Small scale discharges via a percolation area from septic tanks serving domestic dwellings are exempt from licensing but are subject to the general enforcement powers available to local authorities.
My Department issues guidance and standards from time to time in relation to on-site waste water treatment systems and seeks to ensure the use of an appropriate system in each case. Septic tanks installed on or after 1 June 1992 must comply with part H, drainage and wastewater disposal, of the national building regulations. The relevant technical guidance document, TGD H, calls up Irish standard recommendation SR 6: 1991 for septic tanks serving single houses, issued by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI. A manual on wastewater systems serving single houses is being developed by the EPA and I intend that the manual will supersede SR6: 1991 as soon as it is published.
Guidelines prepared jointly by my Department, the EPA and Geological Survey of Ireland, GSI, on the preparation of groundwater protection schemes were issued to local authorities in May 1999. These schemes are intended to provide a framework for decision-making by statutory authorities in relation to activities which might give rise to a risk of polluting ground waters In a circular letter of 31 July 2003 on groundwater protection and the planning system, my Department directed the attention of local authorities to the need for more information within development plans on the location and potential vulnerability of groundwater resources and for clear policies on how development in different areas will be approached based on the available information. Local authorities were also requested to ensure that effective regimes for the proper assessment of site conditions as well as the design, installation and maintenance of on-site wastewater treatment and disposal facilities are put in place, as well as appropriate monitoring and enforcement mechanisms that ensure that those who carry out approved development meet the obligations to adhere to the terms of planning permissions.
I have no proposals to introduce grants for the upgrading of septic tanks. The national rural monitoring committee is currently overseeing the implementation of a pilot programme by local authorities to test a range of new, small-scale waste water collection and treatment systems. Some 12 villages in six counties have been selected as locations for the pilot programme under which appointed contractors will design, build and operate the infrastructure over a 20 year period. Construction is expected to commence later this year. Subject to a satisfactory outcome to the pilot testing, the national rural water monitoring committee envisages a potential role for group sewerage schemes in the collection of domestic wastewater from households outside of the immediate catchment of such treatment systems. Confirmation of such a role for group sewerage schemes and any review of related grants must await the outcome of the pilot programme.
