The EPA has published the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2013.

The EPA also welcomes the announcement by the European Commission that Ireland has now adopted all the measures necessary to ensure compliance with the Court of Justice judgment in Case C‑188/08.

The Plan outlines how septic tanks and waste water treatment systems will be inspected in coming years, while making people aware of the risks to their health and to the environment if treatment systems are not working properly.

Commenting on the Plan, Gerard O’Leary, EPA Director, said: "There are around 500,000 homes in Ireland with domestic waste water treatment systems – our goal is to have every single one of those working effectively. If treatment systems are not working properly they can pose significant risks to people’s health and to the environment. The National Inspection Plan initially focuses on a campaign to advise, educate and help people to operate and maintain their systems. We want to increase the chances of treatment systems passing inspections as this will deliver the best outcome for public health and the environment. Inspections will begin later this year and will be concentrated in areas in need of greatest protection."

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The EPA has identified areas of priority and set minimum inspection levels for each local authority. Inspections will be concentrated in areas where waste water discharges present a high risk to human health or the environment. Priority areas are based on levels of risk to sensitive water receptors, for example, drinking water sources, bathing waters, or pearl mussel beds.

When inspections commence, homeowners will be notified of an inspection at least 10 days in advance by their local authority. Inspections will focus on determining whether or not the treatment system poses a risk to human health or the environment.

(CD/GK)