Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 120: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he will take in the context of the heavily polluted groundwater resources here to address the problem of inadequate leaking septic tanks in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35962/09]

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

Primary responsibility for the prevention of pollution from septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems rests with owners or occupiers of premises served by such systems. In its Water Quality 2004-2006 Report published in 2008, the EPA noted, inter alia, that greater attention needed to be given to groundwater protection, and in particular to prevention of pollution at source including from septic tanks. A number of measures have been taken or are underway in this area. These include:

· strengthened legal provisions under the Water Services Act 2007 requiring the occupier or owner of a premises to ensure that waste water from the premises does not cause nuisance or risk to human health or the environment;

· an updated code of practice for waste water treatment systems for single houses developed by the EPA which will be published shortly. My Department will then amend Technical Guidance Document H of the Building Regulations, which deals with Drainage and Waste Water Disposal, to incorporate updated and additional guidance based on the EPA's new Code.

The renewed Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a scheme for the licensing and inspection of septic tanks and wastewater treatment systems. A Task Force under the Chairmanship of my Department has already been constituted to give consideration to the septic tank issue and I am asking the Task Force to prepare concrete proposals to give effect to the Programme for Government commitment.