Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses – Consultation

In the meantime, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened a Public Consultation on the Code of Practice. Submissions are due on Friday 22nd March at 5 pm.

Summary: A draft revision of the 2009 EPA Code of Practice: Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e. ≤ 10) is now open for public consultation. The closing date for comments is 5pm on Friday 22nd March 2019.

Notes:

The Code covers site assessment, installation, and operation of septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems. The building regulations and planning control system require compliance with it. It is therefore of interest to prospective rural dwellers, consultants/engineers, planners and others involved in the domestic waste water treatment sector.

Two key issues emerged since 2009 that required further research:

1. Feasibility of alternative treatment systems for low permeability soils.
2. Review of desludging rates.

The EPA also received comments and requests for clarifications in relation to the Code. The EPA has revised the Code to incorporate the research findings and the comments/requests received.

The name of the Code is changed as the term ‘Domestic Waste Water Treatment System’ is defined in legislation since 2013.

The revision was guided by a Steering Committee with representatives from:

• EPA (Chair)
• Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
• Trinity College Dublin
• Irish Onsite Wastewater Association
• Irish Water Treatment Association
• City & County Managers Association

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