Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Environmental Protection Agency draft guidelines in relation to site suitability will be adopted by his Department and issued to local authorities. [21722/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I assume that the Question refers to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft Code of Practice on Wastewater Treatment Systems serving Single Houses.

As indicated in the reply to Question Nos. 96 and 99 of 27 May 2008, the EPA is currently finalising a revised edition of the Code of Practice in consultation with all interested parties, including my Department.

Part H of the Building Regulations (Drainage and Waste Water Disposal) sets out the requirements for the treatment of effluent from wastewater systems. The relevant Technical Guidance Document H provides guidance on how to comply with the requirements of Part H and incorporates, inter alia, Irish Standard Recommendation SR:6 of 1991 — Recommendations for Domestic Effluent Treatment and Disposal from a Single Dwelling House, issued by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

A new European Standard for small wastewater treatment plants has been introduced and will come into force on 1 July 2009. The need for new systems to comply with this standard, together with recommended performance levels for treatment systems, has been brought to the attention of Local Authorities by Circular Letters from my Department in November 2006 and January 2008 respectively.

I understand that the EPA Code of Practice on Wastewater Treatment Systems, when finalised, will refer to relevant European Standards and that the NSAI propose to withdraw SR6: 1991, in favour of this Code of Practice. I will amend Technical Guidance Document H to include the Code of Practice in the guidance document. In accordance with established practice, my Department will also issue a Circular Letter to the 37 local Building Control Authorities to draw their attention to the amended guidance document.