Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the minimum and maximum recommended limit for a percolation test in order to qualify for planning permission under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 and relevant Acts of the Oireachtas; the minimum and maximum recommended limit for a T test in order to qualify for planning permission; if a variation is allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39209/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Septic tanks installed on or after 1 June 1992 must comply with Part H of the National Building Regulations. The relevant Technical Guidance Document (TGD)-H (Drainage and Waste Water Disposal) calls up the following standards:

Septic tanks serving single houses: Irish Standard Recommendations SR6 of 1991 for Domestic Effluent Treatment and Disposal from Single Dwellings, issued by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI); and

Septic tanks serving groups of houses: British Standard B.S. 6297: 1983 (incorporating amendment No. 1 of 1990), a Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Small Sewage Treatment Works, issue by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

My Department issued a Circular Letter to planning authorities on 31 July 2003 which dealt with groundwater quality in the context of planning decisions. This circular reminded planning authorities that in assessing planning applications they should consider, as well as the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, other relevant Government and Ministerial policies. In this regard, the attention of planning authorities was drawn to the vital importance of good siting and design of necessary development in rural areas; they were also reminded that the current standard for domestic effluent treatment and disposal from single dwelling houses is set out in Recommendation SR6: 1991. Reference was also made to the Environmental Protection Agency's Manual on Treatment Systems for Single Houses (2000), designed to help planning authorities, builders and others to deal with the complexities of on-site systems, including newer packaged systems. This manual is currently being revised and the intention is that it will supersede SR6: 1991, which will then be withdrawn by the NSAI. My Department plans to amend TGD-H, to call up the EPA Manual, as soon as it is published. The Circular also stated that innovative effluent treatment systems should be certified by the NSAI Irish Agreement Board (IAB) or by the Agreement Board (or equivalent) of an EEA Member State — where the latter certificate ensures in use an equivalent level of safety and suitability.

A planning authority is currently entitled to request any information on site suitability for an on-site waste water disposal system from the applicant that it considers necessary to make a decision on an application for planning permission. I intend to make revised planning regulations shortly which will require applicants, in cases where it is proposed to dispose of wastewater from the proposed development other than to a public sewer, to submit information on the on-site treatment system proposed and evidence as to the suitability of the site for the system proposed with the planning application.