Written answers

Tuesday, 27 September 2011

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Water and Sewerage Schemes

9:00 pm

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if there will be a re-registration of septic tanks after the initial registration; and will there be a charge to households for this re-registration. [25958/11]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the overall cost of the septic tank charge on rural Ireland. [25959/11]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will introduce a retrofit scheme for septic tanks to assist households with grant aid; and if he has any proposals for such a scheme. [25961/11]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342, 343 and 345 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1, 2, 6, 8, 15, 28, 38, 44 and 113 of 15 September 2011 which sets out the position in these matters.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will propose a review of the 2009 Environmental Protection Agency septic tank code of practice and ensure that a standard is proposed that allows rural people in counties Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo, Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Limerick to live in their own community. [25960/11]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Appropriate measures to ensure that waste, which includes wastewater from septic tanks and proprietary waste systems, is recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and without using processes that could harm the environment, have been taken by my Department to address a recent ECJ judgment (C188/08) which found that Ireland was in breach of Article 4 of the EU Waste Directive (2006/12/EC). Implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new Code of Practice on Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses which was published in October 2009 is a key measure in this regard.

The Code of Practice sets out comprehensive requirements in relation to the design, installation and maintenance of on-site wastewater systems. My Department issued a circular letter to planning authorities in January 2010 regarding implementation of the EPA's new Code of Practice.

Elements of the Code of Practice relevant to building control have also been provided for in the recently published Technical Guidance Document to Part H (Drainage and Waste Water Disposal) of the Building Regulations as amended by the Building Regulations (Part H Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 561of 2010).

In this regard, the EPA Code of Practice lays down the technical standards to comply with Ireland's duty of care under Article 4 of the Waste Directive, but in particular to ensure that the disposal of waste via wastewater systems for single dwellings does not give rise to public nuisance, health risk or damage to the environment.

While the Code of Practice may pose engineering and planning challenges in certain parts of the country where soil and geological conditions create very difficult drainage conditions, it also sets out a number of potential technical solutions. These include innovative designs of proprietary wastewater treatment systems, and the consideration of discharges other than to sodden or otherwise unsuitable ground conditions, that can be used to ensure that development on suitable sites can proceed while protecting the environment.

My Department will therefore continue to work proactively with local authorities in ensuring that the planning system takes proper account of river basin management plans, water quality legislation and new technology in assessing the on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system aspect of proposals for housing to meet the needs of rural communities.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that Cavan County Council complied with the European Court of Justice ruling under the waste directive in relation to septic tanks, if he will confirm that persons in County Cavan will be free from the registration and inspections charges; and if persons in County Cavan will be subject to the monitoring scheme. [25962/11]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department, together with the Office of the Attorney General, is finalising the preparation of a Bill to establish a system of inspection of septic tanks and other on-site systems. I expect to bring the Bill to Government in the coming weeks seeking approval for its publication. There are no plans for any exemptions from the requirement for all owners of septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems to register their systems with the relevant local authority, and to operate and maintain them correctly. There will be a proportionate and risk-based approach to inspections and it is intended that inspections will be targeted to areas where drinking water sources or habitats are likely to be, or have been, impacted upon by septic tank discharges.

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