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Speaking in the Dáil last week at Report Stage of the Water
Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, Environment Minister Phil
Hogan said - ‘My Department is currently in discussions with
the European Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) regarding the performance standard guidelines that will
have to be adhered to by septic tank and wastewater systems
in 2013.
"Before finalising the regulations on the guidelines,
including the requirements for maintenance and desludging,
there will be a 4 week period of public consultation.
“There are two main reasons for this Bill - the first of
which relates to non-compliance with EU legislation. On 29
October 2009, the European Court of Justice ruled against
Ireland in relation to the treatment of waste waters from
septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems.
The early enactment of this legislation, which will introduce
a registration and inspection system for domestic waste water
treatment systems, is a critical element in Ireland’s defence
against the imposition of fines by the Court. Ireland’s defence
needs to submitted by 3 February.
“The second reason is more fundamental. The key objective
of the new legislation is to enhance and protect public health
and the environment - which will, in turn, benefit rural dwellers
in terms of a better quality of life and better quality water.
Responsibility for protection of public health and the environment
applies to everyone, whether living in urban or rural areas.
Environmental and health issues must be dealt with as circumstances
dictate and where risks exist.
“Groundwater is a source of drinking water for many people.
Approximately 26% of the public and private drinking water
supply is provided from groundwater sources. The EPA has noted
the presence of microbial contamination arising from the entry
of faecal matter to Ireland’s waters and stated that one of
the main sources of microbial pathogens was on-site waste
water treatment systems.
“The provision of a continuous supply of clean water is a
fundamental requirement for both the economy and society.
High quality water and security of supply is vital to attract
foreign direct investment, high end employment and meet the
needs and demands of our existing businesses and communities.
“The Bill offers the most direct means of complying with
both the European Court of Justice ruling and, therefore,
the most direct means of ensuring that human health and the
environment is adequately protected from the risks posed by
domestic waste water treatment systems.”
Under the legislation, anyone who owns a septic tank or a
waste water treatment system needs to register in 2012. After
the public consultation period has been completed and the
regulations have been set, a registration system will be in
place in Local Authority offices and online. A one-off fee
of €50 will apply to registrations.
Inspections will commence in 2013 and will be on a risk-based
system, whereby the EPA will be responsible for targeting
areas where they believe the ground water is of poor quality
due to contamination. There will be no inspection charge.
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