National Inspection Plan - EPA National...49% of sites failing inspection in 2016, compared with 45%...

Environmental Protection Agency

National Inspection Plan

Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems:Fifth Implementation Report1st January – 31st December 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and pollution.

The work of the EPA can be divided into three main areas:

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LicensingWe regulate the following activities so that they do not endanger human health or harm the environment:• waste facilities (e.g. landfills, incinerators, waste transfer

stations);• large scale industrial activities (e.g. pharmaceutical, cement

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the largest producers of carbon dioxide in Ireland.

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environmental and radiological protection topics.• Providing timely and easily accessible environmental

information to encourage public participation in environmental decision-making (e.g. My Local Environment, Radon Maps).

• Advising Government on matters relating to radiological safety and emergency response.

• Developing a National Hazardous Waste Management Plan to prevent and manage hazardous waste.

Awareness Raising and Behavioural Change• Generating greater environmental awareness and influencing

positive behavioural change by supporting businesses, communities and householders to become more resource efficient.

• Promoting radon testing in homes and workplaces and encouraging remediation where necessary.

Management and structure of the EPAThe EPA is managed by a full time Board, consisting of a Director General and five Directors. The work is carried out across five Offices:• Office of Environmental Sustainability• Office of Environmental Enforcement• Office of Evidence and Assessment• Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring• Office of Communications and Corporate ServicesThe EPA is assisted by an Advisory Committee of twelve members who meet regularly to discuss issues of concern and provide advice to the Board.

Protecting Our Water and Our Health

NATIONAL INSPECTION PLAN

Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems

Fifth Implementation Report

1st January - 31st December 2016

Environmental Protection Agency

An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil

Johnstown Castle Estate

Wexford

Ireland

www.epa.ie

http://www.epa.ie/

© Environmental Protection Agency 2017

DISCLAIMER

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this publication,

complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the author(s)

accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in

part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter

contained in this publication. All or part of this publication may be reproduced without further permission,

provided the source is acknowledged.

NATIONAL INSPECTION PLAN

Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems

Fifth Implementation Report

1st January - 31st December 2016

2017

Author: Niall Dunne.

Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland

ISBN 978-1-84095-748-8

Cover photograph courtesy of Regina Campbell, EPA

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 2

2. Inspections ............................................................................................................................. 3

2.1 Inspection findings ............................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Local authority inspections .................................................................................................. 3

2.3 Reasons for failures .............................................................................................................. 5

2.4 Private wells ......................................................................................................................... 6

2.5 Group water schemes .......................................................................................................... 7

2.6 Site selection ........................................................................................................................ 8

3. Enforcement .......................................................................................................................... 9

3.1 Advisory notices ................................................................................................................... 9

3.2 Prosecutions ......................................................................................................................... 9

4. Engagement strategy ........................................................................................................... 10

4.1 Engagement ....................................................................................................................... 10

4.2 Awareness raising activities ............................................................................................... 11

4.3 Complaints and queries ..................................................................................................... 11

5. Current and future developments ....................................................................................... 12

6. Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 13

Appendix A: Data tables .......................................................................................................... 14

Appendix B: List of publications ............................................................................................... 38

Visit the EPA website for more information on domestic waste water

https://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/

https://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/

1

* As of September 2017

• The number of site inspections carried out (1,110) exceeded the minimum required by the EPA (1,000).

• Failures rates of DWWTS were up, with 49% of sites failing inspection in 2016, compared with 45% in 2015.

• 54% (294) of sites that failed inspection in 2016 are now compliant following remedial works.

• One re-inspection and 226 verification inspections were carried out in 2016.

• 23% of inspections were on unregistered sites.

• Sligo County Council did not undertake any new inspections in 2016.

InspectionsUndertaken by local

authorities

• There was approximately an 11.5% (544) increase in the number of advisory notices issued in 2016.

• 473 advisory notices issued between 2013 -2016 are still open; 18 of which are open since 2013.

• 451 advisory notices are open beyond their proposed resolution date. *

Advisory Notices

Issued by local authorities

• 29% of inspected systems failed due to operation and maintenance issues.

• 24% of inspected systems failed due to lack of desludging.

• 29% of inspected sites failed due to risk to human health or the environment.

• 299 of inspected sites had private drinking water wells on site; 51% of these systems failed inspection.

Findings

Key Findings of 2016 Domestic Waste Water Treatment (DWWT) Inspections*

2

1. Introduction

The aim of the National Inspection Plan is to protect human health and water from pollution

caused by domestic waste water treatment systems (DWWTS) (also known as septic tank

systems). This is done through inspections, education and awareness.

Figure 1: Two-strand Approach

The National Inspection Plan 2015-2017 requires local authorities to undertake a minimum

of 1,000 national inspections of domestic waste water treatment systems (DWWTS) each

year. A greater proportion of inspections are required in areas with a higher contamination

risk, the focus being on risk to public health and protecting water resources. Local

authorities can do more inspections than required if they deem them necessary.

The EPA is responsible for the development of the National Inspection Plan and to co-

ordinate and report on the implementation of the plan. Further information on the National

Inspection Plan is available at http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/ .

This report covers the period from 1st January to 31st December 2016. Links to previous

reports are listed in Appendix B.

http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/

3

2. Inspections

An inspection of a domestic waste water treatment system (DWWTS) is undertaken by the

local authority to determine whether it is fit for purpose and/or it poses a risk to human

health or the environment. If a septic tank system fails an inspection an advisory notice is

issued to the homeowner by the local authority. This specifies what is wrong and what

needs to be fixed.

2.1 Inspection findings

Forty-nine percent of septic tank systems failed inspection in 2016, 45% failed in 2015.

Operation and maintenance and the lack of desludging continue to be the main reasons that

septic tank systems fail.

Table 1 Inspection Summary

*As of September 2017.

2.2 Local authority inspections

In 2016 the local authorities exceeded the minimum number of target inspections (1,000)

required by the EPA; see Table 2.

Eighty-six percent of local authorities met or exceeded their minimum number of target

inspections.

• Wexford County Council exceeded their minimum target by 62 inspections.

• Mayo County Council exceeded theirs by 28 inspections. (Additional inspections

were required to address their 2015 inspection shortfall).

Some local authorities failed to undertake their minimum number of required inspections;

see Table 2.

• Sligo County Council had the highest shortfall as they failed to carry out any of their

allocated 26 inspections.

Inspections 2016 2015

The number of inspections carried out 1,110 1,097

The number of systems failing to pass the inspection and issued with an advisory notice

544 488

Number of verification inspections 226 223

Number of re-inspections carried out 1 1

The number of systems that failed inspection that year and are now compliant following remedial work. *

294 362

4

• Both Cavan and Longford County Councils addressed their 2016 shortfalls with

additional inspections in 2017.

• Donegal County Council made up their 2015 inspection shortfall in 2016.

Due to the size of their shortfall the EPA issued a direction to Sligo County Council to ensure

any shortfalls were addressed by the end of 2017. Warning letters were issued to other local

authorities who failed to reach their minimum target numbers.

Table 2: Target Number Vs Total Actual Number of Inspections

County Shortfall from previous year to be made up in

2016

Total Minimum

Target Inspections

Total Submitted

Inspections

Inspection Shortfall to be

made up in 2017

Total Compliant

Inspections

Total Non-Compliant

Inspections

Carlow - 11 13 - 8 5

Cavan - 39 38 1 29 9

Clare - 49 51 - 31 20

Cork - 99 102 - 33 68

Donegal 2 95 100 - 52 48

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown

- 1 1 - 0 1

Fingal - 14 14 - 6 8

Galway City - 2 0 2 0 0

Galway - 91 95 - 55 40

Kerry - 67 68 - 37 31

Kildare - 21 30 - 22 8

Kilkenny - 32 32 - 21 11

Laois - 22 22 - 12 10

Leitrim - 28 30 - 10 20

Limerick City & County

- 42 43 - 13 30

Longford - 14 5 9 4 1

Louth - 28 28 - 21 7

Mayo 25 52 80 - 30 50

Meath - 43 54 - 32 22

Monaghan - 29 29 - 20 9

Offaly - 14 14 - 6 8

Roscommon - 28 31 - 11 20

Sligo - 26 0 26 0 0

South Dublin - 2 5 - 3 2

Tipperary - 33 35 - 20 15

Waterford City & County

- 17 21 - 14 7

Westmeath - 13 15 - 11 4

Wexford - 67 129 - 49 80

Wicklow - 21 25 - 15 10

Total 1000 1110 565 544*

*One advisory notice was cancelled in 2016

5

2.3 Reasons for failures

The main reasons systems failed are shown in Figure 2. Most inspection failures (53%) were

due to operation and maintenance (nuisance odours, systems not fit for purpose) and

desludging issues. Desludging is a minimum maintenance requirement and is relatively

inexpensive to undertake. There is a grant scheme available to home owners, administered

by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, for the upgrade of their

domestic waste water treatment systems but this does not cover maintenance or

desludging.

Twenty nine percent of sites failed due to risk to human health or the environment (noise,

odour, effects on water, soil, plants or animals). In terms of effects on human health and

water quality issues, unlicensed discharges, leakages and surface ponding are very important

and must be addressed by the homeowner.

Figure 2: Reasons for inspection failures *

* % of systems inspected. (System can fail for multiple reasons).

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Operation andMaintenance

DesludgingUnlicenseddischarge

SurfacePonding

Leakage fromthe system

Water enteringthe system

2016 29% 24% 17% 12% 12% 11%

2015 25% 22% 15% 10% 13% 11%

2014 23% 25% 16% 11% 12% 11%

6

2.4 Private wells

There are approximately 170,000 private drinking water wells in Ireland (Focus on Private

Water supplies; EPA). Private wells are susceptible to contamination especially from on-site

septic tank systems. In 2016, 27% (299) of all inspections were undertaken on sites with

private wells and 51% of these inspections failed. Figure 3 shows the percentage failures of

sites inspected. Desludging and operation and maintenance accounted for the majority of

failures.

It is important that homeowners are made aware, through engagement and education, that

proper septic tanks maintenance can significantly reduce potential harmful contamination

of their drinking water supply.

The EPA in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) has developed an advice

note on making well water safe;

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/SS%20Wells%20Web.pdf.

Further information on protecting your well is available at

http://www.epa.ie/water/dw/hhinfo/.

Figure 3: Breakdown of failures of DWWS with a private well on site. *

* A site can fail for multiple reasons

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Operationand

Maintenance

Desludging Unlicenseddischarge

SurfacePonding


Roof water orSW enteringthe system

2016 29% 28% 18% 10% 12% 9%

2015 23% 24% 10% 10% 10% 9%

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/SS%20Wells%20Web.pdf

http://www.epa.ie/water/dw/hhinfo/

7

2.5 Group water schemes

Group water schemes are privately owned and managed drinking water supplies. In 2016

there were 865 group water schemes in Ireland. Group water schemes can be broken down

into;

• “Public” Group Water Schemes (PuGWS). These are schemes that usually take their

drinking water from the larger public water supplies but are managed by a local

community group.

• “Private” Group Water Schemes (PrGWS). Water is privately sourced, treated and

distributed to members of that scheme.

In 2016, 210 domestic waste water systems were inspected in areas that receive their

drinking water from group water schemes. Of those inspected 47% failed inspections. Figure

4 shows the breakdown of failures. Operational and maintenance and desludging again

accounted for the greatest number of failures (54%).

Figure 4: Reasons for failures of DWWS supplied by a group water scheme. *

* A site can fail for multiple reasons

The EPA has provided grant funding to the National Federation of Group Water Schemes

(NFGWS) for the roll out of a pilot septic tank de-sludging awareness programme for houses

within group water scheme catchment areas. This project is due for completion shortly.

Details of the scheme can be found at http://www.nfgws.ie/Home.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Operationand

Maintenance

Desludging Unlicenseddischarge

SurfacePonding


Roof water orSW enteringthe system

2016 27% 27% 15% 13% 6% 9%

2015 23% 14% 16% 19% 14% 7%

http://www.nfgws.ie/Home

8

2.6 Site selection

The National Inspection Plan 2015-2017 specifies that sites should be selected for inspection

based on risk. The plan specifies eight risks categories, low to very high, for sites inside and

outside areas of special interest (ASI). Local authorities are required to undertake more

inspections in areas of special interest and high risk. This explains why some local authorities

have a higher number of inspections compared with others. Figure 5 compares actual risk

based inspections against the requirements of the National Inspection Plan. Risk based

inspections are broken down per county in Table A2 in the appendices.

Figure 5: Comparison of Actual Vs Required Risk Based Inspections.

At a national level Figure 5 shows that the number of inspections undertaken per risk zone

equates to the requirements of the National Inspection Plan. However, on a regional basis

some county councils failed to allocate their inspections appropriately across the different

risk zones, (see Appendix A, Table A2). Local authorities should continue to ensure that the

site selection criteria set out in the National Inspection Plan are adhered to.

The National Inspection Plan also states that priority should be given to unregistered sites.

In 2016 there were 251 site inspections undertaken on unregistered sites. This represents

23% of the total number of inspections, compared with 20% in 2015.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

No

. In

spe

ctio

ns

LowLow and

in ASIModerate

Moderateand in ASI

HighHigh and

in ASIVery High

Very Highand in ASI

Required Inspections 83 116 51 55 62 65 264 304

Submitted Inspections 97 147 64 69 63 69 260 322

9

3. Enforcement

Advisory notices are issued by local authorities where failures are identified. Advisory notices

outline the measures to be taken by the homeowner.

3.1 Advisory notices

In 2016, 544 advisory notices were issued which is an 11.5% increase from 2015. Between 2013

and 2016 there were 1,748 advisory notices issued. As of September 2017, 473 of these notices

were still open, 451 are open beyond their remedial date. Summaries are shown in Tables 3 and

4.

Table 3 Open Advisory Notices by Year Issued*

Year Advisory notices issued

2013 2014 2015 2016 Total

Advisory Notices currently open

18 79 129 247 473

Table 4 Advisory Notices *

Advisory Notices issued in 2016 544

Advisory Notices issued in 2016 now closed

294

Advisory Notices currently open beyond remedial and extension

date 451

* As of September 2017.

The onus is on local authorities to allocate appropriate resources and to take appropriate

measures, such as continued engagement, re-inspections or prosecutions to ensure compliance

and that advisory notices are closed out as quickly as possible.

3.2 Prosecutions

The local authority can prosecute a homeowner if they fail to comply with an advisory notice.

From inspections undertaken 2016, there is currently, (September 2017), one pending prosecution

open against a homeowner, (see Appendix A, Table A.1).

10

4. Engagement strategy

4.1 Engagement

Operation, maintenance and desludging issues continue to be the main reasons for failures. In

most cases, homeowners can easily rectify these issues once they are made aware of how to solve

them. This highlights the importance and the need for continual effective and targeted

engagement and education.

The National Engagement Strategy Working Group developed a public engagement programme.

The working group comprises of;

• Representatives from six local authorities;

• The Health Service Executive (HSE);

• The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DHPCLG);

• The Local Authority Water and Communities Office (LAWCO);

• The City and County Management Association (CCMA);

• The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS); and

• The EPA.

In 2016 the working group developed three new leaflets and these are being distributed by local

authorities. (See Appendix B for links to further documentation on septic tanks).

• Building a house.

https://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/wastewatersystemsforbuildingahouse

.html

• Buying and selling a house.

https://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/septictankswastewatersystemswhenb

uyingorsellingahouse.html

• How to safely spread sludge from your septic tank.

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/howtosafelyspreadsludgefromyoursep

tictank.html

In November 2016, the Working Group held a national inspection plan workshop for local

authorities to discuss issues in relation to site inspections and engagement.

The EPA has further information relating to septic tank systems available on its website;

https://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/info/.

https://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/wastewatersystemsforbuildingahouse.html


https://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/septictankswastewatersystemswhenbuyingorsellingahouse.html


http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/howtosafelyspreadsludgefromyourseptictank.html


https://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/info/

11

4.2 Awareness raising activities

The increase in operation and maintenance and desludging failures indicates that all stakeholders

must continue to be proactive in raising awareness around issues relating to domestic waste water

treatment plants especially operation maintenance and desludging. Listed below are some

examples of proactive engagement used by local authorities;

• Advisory stands at agricultural summer shows and festivals providing information on

maintenance of septic tanks;

• Information leaflets distributed in GP practices and medical centres waiting rooms;

• Pop up posters placed in county libraries;

• Advice to desludge the septic tank given to homeowners prior to inspection;

• Pre-inspections of systems to identify issues before the main inspection;

• Distribution of information leaflets to homeowners in bathing water catchment areas to

reduce pollution in bathing areas.

4.3 Complaints and queries

In 2016 the EPA received five complaints relating to septic tank issues. Three complaints were

resolved, two are active and are currently being dealt with by the EPA.

The EPA’s queries office received 312 queries relating to septic tank issues (queries mainly related

to Code of Practice, Water Services Amendment Act and Wastewater Treatment Manuals) which

represents 13% of total of queries received from the public.

12

5. Current and future developments

The River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 under the Water Framework Directive (WFD)

is due to be finalised by the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government soon. The

EPA in conjunction with the local authorities, Inland Fisheries Ireland and other bodies have

been assessing the significant pressures which have an impact on water bodies (rivers, lakes,

estuaries water bodies or groundwater bodies) to support the development of the

plan. The EPA is also currently preparing the 2018 -2021 National Inspection Plan. The

revised Inspection Plan will incorporate the findings of this assessment and will ensure

inspections are targeted in areas affected by domestic waste water treatment systems.

In 2016 the EPA published Research 161 – Assessment of disposal options for treated waste

water from single houses in low permeability subsoils, (see Appendix B). Following the

findings of this report it is proposed to revise the Code of Practice Wastewater Treatment

and Disposal Systems Serving Single houses, (see Appendix B).

As in 2015 all local authorities are encouraged to develop a list of permitted contractors in

their areas and to make it easily accessible on their websites to assist those interested in de-

sludging their septic tanks.

13

6. Recommendations

• All stakeholders should continue to make a concerted effort to provide appropriate and targeted information to consumers in maintaining and desludging their septic tank systems.

• Local authorities should continue being proactive with homeowners such as undertaking pre-inspections and issuing pre-inspection advice to homeowners to desludge the tank.

• Local authorities should develop a list of permitted waste collection contractors in their area and make it available on their websites to assist people who want to desludge their domestic waste water systems (DWWTS).

Engagement

• Local authorities who failed to reach their minimum inspection targets in 2016 must correct this shortfall with additional inspections in 2017 and must comply with any directions issued by the EPA.

• Local authorities must ensure that inspections are allocated appropriately across the different risk zones.

• Local authorities must prioritise the inspection of unregistered sites.

• Where private drinking water wells are on sites with DWWTS, home owners must maintain their DWWTS to ensure contamination of their drinking water well is minimised.

Inspections

• Local authorities should ensure that appropriate actions such as continued engagement, re-inspections and prosecutions are used to close out notices, especially older ones.

• Local authorities should prioritise the enforcement of those notices where system failures pose a risk to human health and the environment.

AdvisoryNotices

14

Appendix A: Data tables

Table A.1: Status of Advisory Notices issued in 2016

Table A.2: Risk Based Inspections per County

Table A.3: Advisory Notices by Measure

Table A.4: Non-Compliance by Water Supply

Table A.5: Non-Compliance according to age and type of treatment

Local Authority Total # Advisory Notices Not Submitted

Total # Advisory Notices Submitted

Total # Open Advisory Notices

Total # Closed Advisory Notices

Total # Open-Re-inspection

Advisory Notices

Total # Extension Decision Granted

Total # Extension Decision Refused

Total # Confirmed Advisory Notices

Total # Cancelled Advisory Notices

Total # Open-Prosecution

Pending

Total # Open-Court

Appeals

Carlow 0 5 0 5 0 3 0 0 0 0 0

Cavan 0 9 4 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Clare 0 20 10 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Cork 0 68 16 53 0 7 0 0 1 0 0

Donegal 0 48 23 25 0 9 0 0 0 0 0

Dublin 0 11 5 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Galway 0 40 24 16 1 8 0 0 0 0 0

Kerry 0 31 15 16 0 10 0 0 0 0 0

Kildare 0 8 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kilkenny 0 11 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Laois 0 10 3 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Leitrim 0 20 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Limerick 0 30 21 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Longford 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Louth 0 7 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Mayo 0 50 23 27 1 14 0 0 0 0 0

Meath 0 22 13 9 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Monaghan 0 9 4 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

Offaly 0 8 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Roscommon 0 20 16 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sligo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Tipperary 0 15 7 8 0 3 0 0 0 0 0

Waterford 0 7 3 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

Westmeath 0 4 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Wexford 0 80 21 59 0 24 0 0 0 0 0

Wicklow 0 10 0 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Total 0 544 250 295 2 88 0 0 1 1 0

Table A.1: Status of advisory notices issued in 2016

19

Water Service Authority

Risk Zone Inspections Required per

Risk Zone

Submitted Inspections

per Risk Zone

Risk Zone Compliance

Total No. Compliant

Inspections

Total No. Non- Compliant

Inspections

Total No. Open

Advisory

Notices

Total No. Closed

Advisory Notices

Carlow County Council

1a Low 1 1 0 1 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 1 1 0 0 1 0 1

2b Moderate and in ASI

1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

3a High 1 1 0 0 1 0 1

3b High and in ASI

1 1 0 1 0 0 0

4a Very High 3 9 6 6 3 0 3

4b Very High and in ASI

2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

RNC Risk Not Calculated

0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 8 5 0 5

Cavan County Council

1a Low 1 1 0 0 1 1 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 2 1 -1 1 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 4 4 0 1 3 1 2

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 31 30 -1 25 5 2 3


1 1 0 1 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 1 1 1 0 0 0

TOTAL 29 9 4 5

Table A.2: Risk based inspections per county

20



Risk Zone


per Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No. Open

Advisory Notices

Total No. Closed

Advisory Notices

Clare County Council

1a Low 2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

9 5 -4 3 2 1 1

2a Moderate 2 2 0 2 0 0 0


5 3 -2 1 2 2 0

3a High 2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

6 3 -3 1 2 2 0

4a Very High 5 7 2 5 2 1 1


18 31 13 19 12 4 8


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 31 20 10 10

Cork City Council

1a Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL

0 0 0 0

21



Risk Zone


per Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No. Open

Advisory Notices

Total No. Closed

Advisory Notices

Cork County Council

1a Low 6 4 -2 1 3 1 2

1b Low and in ASI

22 27 5 10 17 4 13

2a Moderate 3 1 -2 0 1 0 1


12 15 3 3 12 0 12

3a High 2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

12 14 2 3 10 2 8

4a Very High 7 4 -3 0 4 1 3


35 37 2 16 21 8 13


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 33 68 16 52

Donegal County Council

1a Low 4 5 1 2 3 2 1

1b Low and in ASI

12 7 -5 2 5 3 2

2a Moderate 2 9 7 5 4 3 1


6 4 -2 2 2 0 2

3a High 2 6 4 2 4 1 3

3b High and in ASI

9 11 2 7 4 2 2

4a Very High 11 12 1 7 5 2 3


49 43 -6 23 20 9 11


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 3 3 2 1 1 0

TOTAL 52 48 23 25

22



Risk Zone

Submitted Inspections per

Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Dublin City Council

1a Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 0 0 0 0

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

1a Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 1 1 0 1 1 0

3a High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL

0 1 1 0

23



Risk Zone


per Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Fingal County Council

1a Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3b High and in

ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


13 13 0 6 7 2 5


1 1 0 1 0 1

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 6 8 2 6

Galway City Council

1a Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL

0 0 0 0

24



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Galway County Council

1a Low 5 0 -5 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

16 32 16 17 15 10 5

2a Moderate 3 0 -3 0 0 0 0


6 16 10 10 6 4 2

3a High 3 0 -3 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

8 10 2 3 7 4 3

4a Very High 16 8 -8 7 1 1 0


34 29 -5 18 11 7 4


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 55 40 26 14

Kerry County Council

1a Low 4 4 0 4 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

14 15 1 5 10 7 3

2a Moderate 3 4 1 3 1 1 0


5 5 0 0 5 3 2

3a High 3 3 0 2 1 0 1

3b High and in ASI

5 5 0 4 1 0 1

4a Very High 14 13 -1 11 2 0 2


19 19 0 8 11 4 7


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 37 31 15 16

25



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Kildare

Council 1a Low 3 8 5 7 1 0 1

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 2 6 4 5 1 0 1


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 2 6 4 2 4 0 4

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 13 9 -4 7 2 1 1


1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 1 1 1 0 0 0

TOTAL 22 8 1 7

Kilkenny County Council

1a Low 3 2 -1 1 1 1 0

1b Low and in ASI

2 2 0 2 0 0 0

2a Moderate 3 3 0 2 1 1 0


2 3 1 3 0 0 0

3a High 3 3 0 2 1 1 0

3b High and in ASI

2 3 1 3 0 0 0

4a Very High 7 7 0 3 4 4 0


10 8 -2 4 4 4 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 1 1 1 0 0 0

TOTAL

21 11 11 0

26



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Laois County Council

1a Low 2 4 2 1 3 1 2

1b Low and in ASI

4 12 8 7 5 2 3

2a Moderate 1 3 2 2 1 0 1


2 1 -1 1 0 0 0

3a High 2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 5 1 -4 1 0 0 0


4 1 -3 0 1 0 1


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 12 10 3 7

Leitrim County Council

1a Low 1 1 0 1 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

1 1 0 0 1 1 0

2a Moderate 2 3 1 2 1 1 0


1 1 0 0 1 1 0

3a High 3 3 0 0 3 3 0

3b High and in ASI

2 2 0 0 2 2 0

4a Very High 14 14 0 7 7 7 0


4 5 1 0 5 5 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL

10 20 20 0

27



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Limerick City & County Council

1a Low 4 4 0 1 3 1 2

1b Low and in ASI

1 1 0 0 1 0 1

2a Moderate 3 4 1 0 4 1 3


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 6 5 -1 2 3 1 2

3b High and in ASI

1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 24 24 0 8 16 15 1


3 4 1 2 2 2 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 1 1 0 1 1 0

TOTAL 13 30 21 9

Longford

County

Council

1a Low 2 1 -1 0 1 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

3b High and in

ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 9 3 -6 3 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 1 1 1 0 0 0

TOTAL

4 1 0 0

28



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Louth Council

1a Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

2 3 1 1 2 1 1

2a Moderate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


2 1 -1 0 1 0 1

3a High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

3 3 0 3 0 0 0

4a Very High 2 2 0 1 1 0 1


19 19 0 16 3 0 3


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 21 7 1 6

Mayo County Council

1a Low 6 11 5 5 6 4 2

1b Low and in ASI

15 20 5 7 13 3 10

2a Moderate 3 4 1 1 3 0 3


4 6 2 3 3 1 2

3a High 3 5 2 2 3 1 2

3b High and in ASI

4 6 2 4 2 1 1

4a Very High 5 8 3 3 5 2 3


12 13 1 3 10 9 1


1 1 1 0 0 0

Unknown 6 6 1 5 2 3

TOTAL

30 50 23 27

29



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections

Total No. Non-

Compliant Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Meath County Council

1a Low 4 8 4 4 4 3 1

1b Low and in ASI

1 1 0 1 0 0 0

2a Moderate 2 1 -1 0 1 0 1


1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

3a High 3 2 -1 0 2 1 1

3b High and in ASI

1 2 1 1 1 1 0

4a Very High 17 26 9 17 9 7 2


14 14 0 9 5 1 4


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 32 22 13 9

Monaghan County Council

1a Low 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 2 4 2 3 1 1 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 3 0 -3 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 18 22 4 14 8 3 5


4 3 -1 3 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL

20 9 4 5

30



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Offaly County Council

1a Low 5 6 1 4 2 2 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 2 2 0 0 2 0 2


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 2 3 1 2 1 1 0

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 5 3 -2 0 3 3 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 6 8 6 2

Roscommon County Council

1a Low 4 3 -1 1 2 1 1

1b Low and in ASI

2 2 0 2 0 0 0

2a Moderate 3 4 1 3 1 0 1


1 2 1 1 1 1 0

3a High 4 3 -1 1 2 2 0

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 13 14 1 3 11 10 1


1 3 2 0 3 2 1


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 11 20 16 4

31



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Sligo County Council

1a Low 2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

3 0 -3 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

3a High 2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 9 0 -9 0 0 0 0


7 0 -7 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 0 0 0 0

South Dublin County Council

1a Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 2 5 3 3 2 2 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL

3 2 2 0

32



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Tipperary

County

Council

1a Low 10 13 3 7 6 4 2

1b Low and in ASI

2 8 6 3 5 2 3

2a Moderate 4 4 0 3 1 0 1


1 4 3 4 0 0 0

3a High 4 2 -2 1 1 0 1

3b High and in

ASI

1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 10 4 -6 2 2 1 1


1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 20 15 7 8

Waterford City & County Council

1a Low 2 0 -2 0 0 0 0

1b Low and in ASI

5 8 3 4 4 1 3

2a Moderate 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0


1 3 2 3 0 0 0

3a High 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

1 1 0 1 0 0 0

4a Very High 2 4 2 2 2 2 0


4 4 0 4 0 0 0


1 1 0 1 0 1

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL

14 7 3 4

33



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Westmeath County Council

1a Low 5 6 1 5 1 1 0

1b Low and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 2 2 0 1 1 1 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3a High 2 2 0 2 0 0 0

3b High and in ASI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4a Very High 4 5 1 3 2 1 1


0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 11 4 3 1

Wexford

County

Council

1a Low 2 11 9 4 7 0 7

1b Low and in ASI

3 0 -3 0 0 0 0

2a Moderate 1 5 4 2 3 0 3


3 3 0 2 1 1 0

3a High 1 13 12 5 8 1 7

3b High and in

ASI

4 6 2 2 4 2 2

4a Very High 10 19 9 3 16 10 6


43 71 28 31 40 7 33


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 1 1 0 1 0 1

TOTAL 49 80 21 59

34



Risk Zone


Risk Zone


Total No. Compliant

Inspections


Inspections

Total No.

Open

Advisory Notices

Total No.

Closed

Advisory Notices

Wicklow County Council

1a Low 4 4 0 2 2 0 2

1b Low and in ASI

1 3 2 2 1 0 1

2a Moderate 2 1 -1 1 0 0 0


1 1 0 1 0 0 0

3a High 2 2 0 1 1 0 1

3b High and in ASI

1 2 1 2 0 0 0

4a Very High 6 7 1 4 3 0 3


4 4 0 1 3 0 3


0 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 1 1 1 0 0 0

TOTAL 15 10 0 10

TOTAL 1000 1110 565 544 252 291

35

Local Authority Total No. of Inspections Undertaken

Total No. of Advisory Notices

Leakage from the system

Unlicensed discharge

Surface Ponding

Roof water or SW entering the system

Operation and Maintenance

Desludging Risk to human health or the environment

Carlow County Council 13 5 1 1 1 0 3 3 2

Cavan County Council 38 9 1 3 2 1 4 5 7

Clare County Council 51 20 9 5 8 7 10 9 17

Cork City Council 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cork County Council 102 69 11 12 9 14 29 51 16

Donegal County Council 100 48 25 44 23 7 28 13 47

Dublin City Council 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1

Fingal County Council 14 8 0 0 0 1 3 7 0

Galway City Council 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Galway County Council 95 40 9 8 11 10 40 17 40

Kerry County Council 68 31 6 16 6 4 9 7 24

Kildare County Council 30 8 2 2 1 2 3 5 2

Kilkenny County Council 32 11 1 2 2 1 9 2 3

Laois County Council 22 10 1 0 1 1 1 8 1

Leitrim County Council 30 20 1 10 3 2 7 11 14

Limerick City & County Council 43 30 2 6 6 10 12 17 10

Longford County Council 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Louth County Council 28 7 1 3 1 1 1 5 3

Mayo County Council 80 50 7 16 21 15 36 26 36

Meath County Council 54 22 7 11 7 7 17 3 19

Monaghan County Council 29 9 5 0 4 4 6 6 4

Offaly County Council 14 8 2 5 2 0 5 3 5

Roscommon County Council 31 20 12 10 5 3 20 11 17

Sligo County Council 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

South Dublin County Council 5 2 1 1 0 0 2 2 1

Tipperary County Council 35 15 5 5 2 7 8 7 7

Waterford City & County Council 21 7 2 1 2 1 3 2 5

Westmeath County Council 15 4 1 2 1 1 2 0 1

Wexford County Council 129 80 18 29 14 20 57 34 32

Wicklow County Council 25 10 2 2 2 3 2 7 3

Total 1110 544 133 194 135 122 318 261 317

Table A.3: Advisory Notices by Measure

36

Total Inspections Undertaken

Total # of Advisory Notices


Unlicensed Discharge to Surface Water

Surface Ponding

Water Entering the System


Desludging Section

Group Water Scheme

210 98 12 31 28 19 56 56

Mains 590 286 83 108 75 74 173 119

N/A 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1

Private Well

299 153 36 53 29 28 86 84

Spring 7 4 2 0 2 1 2 0

Surface Water

3 2 0 1 0 0 1 1

Total 1110 544 133 194 135 122 318 261

Table A.4: Non-Compliance by Water Supply

37

Total # of Advisory Notices Issued


Unlicensed discharge to SW

Surface Ponding

Roof water or SW entering the system


Desludging Risk to human health or the environment

Septic tanks pre 1964

29 5 13 6 6 15 18 16

Septic Tank 1964 - 1979

96 22 46 20 31 52 31 63

Septic Tank 1980 - 2000

180 46 79 48 47 100 90 111

Septic tanks post 2000

127 35 35 33 24 70 71 72

Secondary 1980 - 2000

7 3 2 2 2 6 1 3

Secondary post 2000

91 21 16 24 10 67 48 44

Tertiary 1980 - 2000

1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

Tertiary post 2000

3 0 0 0 1 2 1 0

N/A 10 2 3 3 2 6 2 9

Total 544 134 194 136 123 319 262 318

Table A.5: Non-Compliance according to age and type of treatment

38

Appendix B: List of publications

• Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2012/act/2/enacted/en/print

• National Inspection Plan 2015-2017 http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/wastewater/nationalinspectionplan2015-2017.html

• Interim Review 1st July 2013 – 28th February 2014 http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/nipreview/

• Review 1st July 2013 - 30th June 2014

http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/nip2013reviewandproposals2015-2017/

• Inspection Data Report 1st July 2013 - 31st December 2014

http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/nip2013inspectiondatareport/

• National Inspection Plan 2015

https://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/nip2015.html

• Have you completed a septic tank system check? http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/water/drinkingwater/Have-you-completed-a-septic-tank-system-

check.pdf

• What to expect from a septic tank inspection? https://www.protectourwater.ie/Leaflets/2_POW-WhatToExpect_Eng.pdf

• What you need to know about your septic tank? https://www.protectourwater.ie/Leaflets/1_POW-WhatYouNeedToKnow_Eng.pdf

• Is your well at risk from septic tanks? http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-

files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad%2C33589%2Cen.pdf

• Building a house

https://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/wastewatersystemsforbuilding

ahouse.html

• Buying and selling a house

https://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/septictankswastewatersystems

whenbuyingorsellingahouse.html

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2012/act/2/enacted/en/print

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/wastewater/nationalinspectionplan2015-2017.html

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/wastewater/nationalinspectionplan2015-2017.html

http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/nipreview/

http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/nipreview/







http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/water/drinkingwater/Have-you-completed-a-septic-tank-system-check.pdf



https://www.protectourwater.ie/Leaflets/2_POW-WhatToExpect_Eng.pdf

https://www.protectourwater.ie/Leaflets/1_POW-WhatYouNeedToKnow_Eng.pdf

http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad%2C33589%2Cen.pdf

http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad%2C33589%2Cen.pdf





39

• How to safely spread sludge from your septic tank.

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/howtosafelyspreadsludgefromy

ourseptictank.html

• Research 161 – Assessment of disposal options for treated waste water from single

houses in low permeability subsoils.

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/water/researchreport161.html

• Code of Practice Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single houses

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/code%20of%20practice%20for%

20single%20houses/



http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/water/researchreport161.html

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/code%20of%20practice%20for%20single%20houses/

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/water/wastewater/code%20of%20practice%20for%20single%20houses/

AN GHNÍOMHAIREACHT UM CHAOMHNÚ COMHSHAOILTá an Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil (GCC) freagrach as an gcomhshaol a chaomhnú agus a fheabhsú mar shócmhainn luachmhar do mhuintir na hÉireann. Táimid tiomanta do dhaoine agus don chomhshaol a chosaint ó éifeachtaí díobhálacha na radaíochta agus an truaillithe.

Is féidir obair na Gníomhaireachta a roinnt ina trí phríomhréimse:

Rialú: Déanaimid córais éifeachtacha rialaithe agus comhlíonta comhshaoil a chur i bhfeidhm chun torthaí maithe comhshaoil a sholáthar agus chun díriú orthu siúd nach gcloíonn leis na córais sin.

Eolas: Soláthraímid sonraí, faisnéis agus measúnú comhshaoil atá ar ardchaighdeán, spriocdhírithe agus tráthúil chun bonn eolais a chur faoin gcinnteoireacht ar gach leibhéal.

Tacaíocht: Bímid ag saothrú i gcomhar le grúpaí eile chun tacú le comhshaol atá glan, táirgiúil agus cosanta go maith, agus le hiompar a chuirfidh le comhshaol inbhuanaithe.

Ár bhFreagrachtaí

CeadúnúDéanaimid na gníomhaíochtaí seo a leanas a rialú ionas nach ndéanann siad dochar do shláinte an phobail ná don chomhshaol:• saoráidí dramhaíola (m.sh. láithreáin líonta talún, loisceoirí,

stáisiúin aistrithe dramhaíola);• gníomhaíochtaí tionsclaíocha ar scála mór (m.sh. déantúsaíocht

cógaisíochta, déantúsaíocht stroighne, stáisiúin chumhachta);• an diantalmhaíocht (m.sh. muca, éanlaith);• úsáid shrianta agus scaoileadh rialaithe Orgánach

Géinmhodhnaithe (OGM);• foinsí radaíochta ianúcháin (m.sh. trealamh x-gha agus

radaiteiripe, foinsí tionsclaíocha);• áiseanna móra stórála peitril;• scardadh dramhuisce;• gníomhaíochtaí dumpála ar farraige.

Forfheidhmiú Náisiúnta i leith Cúrsaí Comhshaoil• Clár náisiúnta iniúchtaí agus cigireachtaí a dhéanamh gach

bliain ar shaoráidí a bhfuil ceadúnas ón nGníomhaireacht acu.• Maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar fhreagrachtaí cosanta comhshaoil na

n-údarás áitiúil.• Caighdeán an uisce óil, arna sholáthar ag soláthraithe uisce

phoiblí, a mhaoirsiú.• Obair le húdaráis áitiúla agus le gníomhaireachtaí eile chun dul

i ngleic le coireanna comhshaoil trí chomhordú a dhéanamh ar líonra forfheidhmiúcháin náisiúnta, trí dhíriú ar chiontóirí, agus trí mhaoirsiú a dhéanamh ar leasúchán.

• Cur i bhfeidhm rialachán ar nós na Rialachán um Dhramhthrealamh Leictreach agus Leictreonach (DTLL), um Shrian ar Shubstaintí Guaiseacha agus na Rialachán um rialú ar shubstaintí a ídíonn an ciseal ózóin.

• An dlí a chur orthu siúd a bhriseann dlí an chomhshaoil agus a dhéanann dochar don chomhshaol.

Bainistíocht Uisce• Monatóireacht agus tuairisciú a dhéanamh ar cháilíocht

aibhneacha, lochanna, uiscí idirchriosacha agus cósta na hÉireann, agus screamhuiscí; leibhéil uisce agus sruthanna aibhneacha a thomhas.

• Comhordú náisiúnta agus maoirsiú a dhéanamh ar an gCreat-Treoir Uisce.

• Monatóireacht agus tuairisciú a dhéanamh ar Cháilíocht an Uisce Snámha.

Monatóireacht, Anailís agus Tuairisciú ar an gComhshaol• Monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar cháilíocht an aeir agus Treoir an AE

maidir le hAer Glan don Eoraip (CAFÉ) a chur chun feidhme.• Tuairisciú neamhspleách le cabhrú le cinnteoireacht an rialtais

náisiúnta agus na n-údarás áitiúil (m.sh. tuairisciú tréimhsiúil ar staid Chomhshaol na hÉireann agus Tuarascálacha ar Tháscairí).

Rialú Astaíochtaí na nGás Ceaptha Teasa in Éirinn• Fardail agus réamh-mheastacháin na hÉireann maidir le gáis

cheaptha teasa a ullmhú.• An Treoir maidir le Trádáil Astaíochtaí a chur chun feidhme i gcomhair

breis agus 100 de na táirgeoirí dé-ocsaíde carbóin is mó in Éirinn.

Taighde agus Forbairt Comhshaoil• Taighde comhshaoil a chistiú chun brúnna a shainaithint, bonn

eolais a chur faoi bheartais, agus réitigh a sholáthar i réimsí na haeráide, an uisce agus na hinbhuanaitheachta.

Measúnacht Straitéiseach Timpeallachta• Measúnacht a dhéanamh ar thionchar pleananna agus clár beartaithe

ar an gcomhshaol in Éirinn (m.sh. mórphleananna forbartha).

Cosaint Raideolaíoch• Monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar leibhéil radaíochta, measúnacht a

dhéanamh ar nochtadh mhuintir na hÉireann don radaíocht ianúcháin.• Cabhrú le pleananna náisiúnta a fhorbairt le haghaidh éigeandálaí

ag eascairt as taismí núicléacha.• Monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fhorbairtí thar lear a bhaineann le

saoráidí núicléacha agus leis an tsábháilteacht raideolaíochta.• Sainseirbhísí cosanta ar an radaíocht a sholáthar, nó maoirsiú a

dhéanamh ar sholáthar na seirbhísí sin.

Treoir, Faisnéis Inrochtana agus Oideachas• Comhairle agus treoir a chur ar fáil d’earnáil na tionsclaíochta

agus don phobal maidir le hábhair a bhaineann le caomhnú an chomhshaoil agus leis an gcosaint raideolaíoch.

• Faisnéis thráthúil ar an gcomhshaol ar a bhfuil fáil éasca a chur ar fáil chun rannpháirtíocht an phobail a spreagadh sa chinnteoireacht i ndáil leis an gcomhshaol (m.sh. Timpeall an Tí, léarscáileanna radóin).

• Comhairle a chur ar fáil don Rialtas maidir le hábhair a bhaineann leis an tsábháilteacht raideolaíoch agus le cúrsaí práinnfhreagartha.

• Plean Náisiúnta Bainistíochta Dramhaíola Guaisí a fhorbairt chun dramhaíl ghuaiseach a chosc agus a bhainistiú.

Múscailt Feasachta agus Athrú Iompraíochta• Feasacht chomhshaoil níos fearr a ghiniúint agus dul i bhfeidhm

ar athrú iompraíochta dearfach trí thacú le gnóthais, le pobail agus le teaghlaigh a bheith níos éifeachtúla ar acmhainní.

• Tástáil le haghaidh radóin a chur chun cinn i dtithe agus in ionaid oibre, agus gníomhartha leasúcháin a spreagadh nuair is gá.

Bainistíocht agus struchtúr na Gníomhaireachta um Chaomhnú ComhshaoilTá an ghníomhaíocht á bainistiú ag Bord lánaimseartha, ar a bhfuil Ard-Stiúrthóir agus cúigear Stiúrthóirí. Déantar an obair ar fud cúig cinn d’Oifigí:• An Oifig um Inmharthanacht Comhshaoil• An Oifig Forfheidhmithe i leith cúrsaí Comhshaoil• An Oifig um Fianaise is Measúnú• Oifig um Chosaint Radaíochta agus Monatóireachta Comhshaoil• An Oifig Cumarsáide agus Seirbhísí CorparáideachaTá Coiste Comhairleach ag an nGníomhaireacht le cabhrú léi. Tá dáréag comhaltaí air agus tagann siad le chéile go rialta le plé a dhéanamh ar ábhair imní agus le comhairle a chur ar an mBord.

HeadquartersPO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate County Wexford, Y35 W821, IrelandBosca Poist 3000, Eastát Chaisleán Bhaile Sheáin Contae Loch Garman, Y35 W821, Éire

T: +353 53 9160600 F: +353 53 9160699 E: [email protected]: www.epa.ieLo Call: 1890 33 55 99

EPA Regional Inspectorate Dublin McCumiskey HouseRichviewClonskeagh RoadDublin 14D14 YR62Tel: 01-268 0100Fax: 01-268 0199

EPA Regional Inspectorate Cork InniscarraCo. CorkP31 VX59Tel: 021-4875540Fax: 021-4875545

EPA Regional Inspectorate Castlebar John Moore RoadCastlebarCo. MayoF23 KT91Tel: 094-9048400Fax: 094-9021934

EPA Regional Inspectorate Kilkenny Seville LodgeCallan RoadKilkennyR95 ED28Tel: 056-7796700Fax: 056-7796798

EPA Regional Inspectorate Monaghan The GlenMonaghanH18 YT02Tel: 047-77600Fax: 047-84987

E: [email protected]: www.epa.ieLoCall: 1890 33 55 99

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