Water Protection and 500,000 Septic Tanks The New Regulatory Framework
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Water Protection and 500,000 Septic TanksThe New Regulatory Framework
Rachel Minch, Barry Doyle and Company
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Outline of Presentation
Background Water protection objectives ECJ judgments Challenges on the ground
Legislation Registration Maintenance Inspection Enforcement
Implementation
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Objectives
Community legislation Water Framework Directive
River basin districts Management plans Programme of measures Environmental objectives
Irish challenges: diffuse sources Agriculture Individual waste water treatment systems
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ECJ: Commission v Ireland
2002: Drinking Water Directive 80/778/EEC Microbiological standards for drinking water
2004: Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC Identification of waters affected by pollution Designation of vulnerable zones Establishment of action programmes
2007: Groundwater Directive 80/68/EEC insufficient causal link between septic tanks and
microbiological contamination
no evidence of systemic failure to implement
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2009 Commission v Ireland: Waste FD Commission case: failure to comply with
Article 4: no risk to human health and environment Article 8: holder to collector or operator or
recovered/disposed of in accordance with Directive No management of waste waters from IWWTS
Defence: Directive does not apply Not waste Covered by other national legislation
Decision No satisfactory system of inspection (except
Cavan)
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Compliance
October 2009: Judgment November 2010: Commission formal notice May 2011: Commission refers matter back to ECJ
requesting a lump sum fine of €2.7 million and a daily penalty payment of €26,173
February 2012: Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012
June 2012: Regulations S.I. 220 and 223 October 2012: Regulations S.I. 384
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Challenges On (and in) the Ground
Number: 497,281 connected dwellings Effluent: 250,000,000 litres daily Pollutants: pathogens, phosphates, nitrates
Risks: Human health Environment
Causes
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Photos from A Goggin, Limerick Co Co
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Dye test showing effluent in a watercourse from a septic tank. (photo by A.
Goggin, Limerick Co. Co.)
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Regulatory Framework
Registration Maintenance Inspections Key players
Environmental Protection Agency Water service authorities (WSA) Inspectors Owners
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Registration and Register: S.70B
WSA establishes public register Owners to register by 1 February 2013
All DWWTS unless S.4 WPA licence
WSA issues certificate of registration Valid for 5 years Produce on request
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Maintenance: S.70, 70C, S.I. 223
General duty: no risk to environment or human health (Article 4)
Comply with Regulations Domestic waste water discharges Maintenance De-sludged by contractor and retain evidence
Agricultural use exception
Take remedial measures
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Inspections: S.70E to G
Inspectors appointed by EPA Inspections at direction of WSA (and EPA) Powers
Enter and inspector premises as directed Monitoring, samples, photos, excavations Request information Advise owner and WSA of findings
Due to commence in February 2013
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National Inspection Plan: S.70K EPA must make NIP by 30 December 2012 with
regard to: risks to human health and the environment types and location of DWWTS qualitative and quantitative criteria, targets and
indicators for inspections any incidental or ancillary matters or matters
prescribed by Minister
WSA implement NIP under supervision of EPA Inspectors have regard to NIP when carrying out
inspections
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Enforcement (1): Advisory Notices WSA must issue an Advisory Notice where
inspection identifies that the system: Contravenes Regulations (i.e. 70L) Contravenes Article 4.
The Advisory Notice must: State the contravention and reasons for opinion Direct the owner to remedy the matters specified in
the notice by a specified date
Second inspection: amend, revoke, notify Notice Appeal to District Court Notice of Compliance
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Enforcement (2): Other Options Prosecution
registration, maintenance, advisory notice, regulations
prosecutor: WSA
summary fine €5,000/carry out works
Injunctive Relief WSA can apply to High Court for injunctive relief
Failure to comply with requirement of Act and risk to human health or environment
Directions Other legislation??
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Implementation Finalisation of National Inspection Plan
Proportionate, objective risk-based approach (RBM) Site selection criteria Standards: compliance with regulations Multi strategy approach: incentives, engagement Discussion document
Working groups Inspections start Financing, grants Will it be enough?
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Conclusion