John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1069: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the fact that sewage sludge is not being treated properly in this country; if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that sewage sludge from various plants will be treated to EU standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10133/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sewage sludge is an inevitable and potentially useful by-product of advanced waste water treatment processes. The national volume of sewage sludge is increasing as a result of the continuing major investment in waste water treatment facilities under the national development plan. It is desirable and in accordance with EU requirements that sewage sludge should be reused where appropriate. I note that the recent EPA report on urban waste water discharges in Ireland confirms that sludge reuse in agriculture increased significantly from 23.9% in 1998-99 to 63% in 2002-03.

When sewage sludge is reused in agriculture it is subject to compliance with the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations 1998, as amended, which give effect to Council Directive 86/278/EC on the protection of the environment and, particularly, of the soil when sewage sludge is used in agriculture. The regulations specify sampling, analyses and monitoring requirements, set limit values for metal concentrations for the use of sewage sludge in agriculture and require that sewage sludge is used only in accordance with a nutrient management plan. The regulations also place a responsibility on local authorities to plan, control and enforce the disposal or reuse of sewage sludge within their functional areas.