I propose to take Questions Nos. 644, 700 to 709, inclusive, 712 and 723 together.
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 provides that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will make a National Inspection Plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems. The plan is being drawn up to highest international standards and in accordance with the Recommendation for Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections which is an EU-approved system for the consistent implementation and enforcement of Community environmental law in all EU Member States. I understand that the Plan is very close to being finalised by the Agency. My Department will continue to liaise with the European Commission to ensure full compliance with our obligations.
A training course for the local authority personnel who will be appointed to carry out inspections under the new legislation is currently being finalised and this is being overseen by the Water Services Training Group. The training course will be extended to suitably qualified local authority staff over the coming months. Inspections will commence later this year. The inspections will be carried out under the national inspection plan, in accordance with directions issued by the EPA, which is the supervisory body for the purposes of implementation of the legislation. The local authority personnel assigned to inspect on-site treatment systems under the legislation will be appointed by the EPA as required under Section 70E of the Act . They will be required to meet criteria regarding professional or technical qualifications and to have completed the training course. The revenue from the registration fees payable by owners of domestic waste water treatment systems will be available to local authorities to meet the costs of managing the inspection regime.
The 2012 Act provides that at least 10 working days’ notice must be provided to householders if their treatment system is to be inspected. The Act also contains a comprehensive appeals procedure for householders who are aggrieved with an inspection. Inspectors will be required to carry identification and to present this on request to householders.