Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government with reference to the new Water Services Act, if he will outline the regulations, licensing, and protocols that will apply to contractors who are commissioned to de-sludge residential waste water treatment systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4588/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 26 June 2012, I signed the Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012 which set out performance standards for on-site treatment systems, including requirements regarding the maintenance and de-sludging of such systems. With limited exceptions, they must be de-sludged by a permitted contractor. The regulations currently in force which are relevant to contractors commissioned to de-sludge residential waste water treatment systems are as follows:

- The Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 as amended by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2008;

- The Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007 as amended by the Waste Management (Facility Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2008; and

- The Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations 1998, as amended by the Waste Management (Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 2001.

Up to January 2012, the individual local authorities were responsible for the issue of Waste Collection Permits. On 1 February 2012, Offaly County Council was designated as the Nominated Authority for the processing of all new Waste Collection Permit applications received on or after that date. This single Nominated Authority is known as the National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO). The setting of protocols and conditions for the carrying out of waste collection activities are a matter for the local authorities or the NWCPO as appropriate.