Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2017
280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the construction of integrated constructed wetlands as a method of wastewater treatment; his further views on whether these are effective methods of wastewater treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23786/17]
View answerWhile my Department has no function in matters of water policy, I understand that the then Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (now the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government), published an official guidance document, entitled, ‘Integrated Constructed Wetlands - Guidance Document for Farmyard Soiled Water and Domestic Wastewater Applications’ in November 2010. Furthermore, I understand that funding was provided for the installation of a number of integrated constructed wetlands through the water services capital programme. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, inter alia, through the delivery of water services capital infrastructure, including in relation to waste water treatment.
The guidance document can be downloaded from the website of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government at the following link
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad%2C24931%2Cen.pdf .
