Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:
317
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by groups regarding the operational failure of septic tanks which were constructed ten or 20 years ago; the steps, if any, his Department has taken to advise remedial action that could be taken in respect of these tanks; if there is a system available to the owners of these tanks to apply to defective septic tanks to enable them to ensure that they perform properly and adequately; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15707/98]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:
318
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the number of domestic residences in each county that have septic tanks; the programme, if any, his Department, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities, has in place for the monitoring of the operation of those septic tanks to ensure that they are complying with the standards set out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15708/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.
Census 91, Volume 10, Housing, published by the CSO in February 1997 provides detailed information on domestic sanitary facilities nationally and shows that a total of 344,635 housing units were connected to septic tank systems.
It is a matter for the relevant planning authority, and An Bord Pleanála on appeal, to attach the appropriate conditions in any planning permission granted involving the on-site disposal of effluent.
In the case of disposal by way of a septic tank, 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 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 the Department's 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.
The EPA recently published a report on small scale waste water systems which includes an assessment of smallscale systems and draft guidelines for the selection, design, operation and maintenance of these systems. In addition, my Department together with the EPA and the GSI are at present, finalising a groundwater protection scheme for Ireland, together with a draft groundwater protection response for waste water treatment systems for single houses which will be published shortly.
Local authorities, as statutory pollution control authorities, also have a full range of powers and remedies available under the Water Pollution Acts, 1977 and 1990, to deal with any pollution or potential pollution from septic tanks.
Under the group sewerage schemes programme, which is administered by county councils, grants of up to £1,600 per house are available to groups of householders who come together to provide common sewerage facilities to their properties in cases where existing systems are defective and giving rise to pollution.
