Water Quality Legislation

The Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990 enable local authorities to: prosecute for water pollution offences attach appropriate pollution control conditions in the licensing of effluent discharges made to waters or to sewers; issue notices  specifying measures to be taken within a prescribed period to prevent water pollution issue notices requiring a person...

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Evaluation of the replacement Waste Management Plan Limerick/Clare/Kerry 2006-2011

The Limerick/Clare/Kerry Waste Management Region has commenced an evaluation of the replacement of the Waste Management Plan Limerick.Clare/Kerry 2006 – 2011 and, the Plan will be revised or replaced as necessary to comply with the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC). The evaluation of must occur by 31 December 2012. The subsequent revision or replacement of waste...

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Packaging Waste Compliance Requirement in Ireland

Since 1997 Irish legislation has placed the responsibility for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste on those who handle packaging at any stage of the supply chain. A ‘Producer’ of packaging waste is a business who, for the purpose of trade or otherwise in the course of business sells or otherwise supplies other persons...

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Groundwater Regulation 7

Regulation 7 of the Groundwater Regulations states that “Point source discharges and diffuse sources liable to cause groundwater pollution shall be controlled so as to prevent or limit the input of pollutants into groundwater”. This ‘prevent or limit’ objective is the core groundwater quality objective.  In principle, ‘prevent or limit’ measures are the first line...

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Groundwater Quality Objectives: Regulation 4

Regulation 4 of the Groundwater Regulations (S.I. No. 9 of 2010) places a duty on public authorities to promote compliance with the requirements of the regulations and to take all reasonable steps to: prevent or limit the input of pollutants into groundwater prevent the deterioration of the status of all bodies of groundwater protect, enhance...

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Groundwater Regulations and Guidance to Licencing

Due to the comprehensive nature of the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations, 2010 (S.I. No. 9 of 2010) (Groundwater Regulations), and their relation to the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD) and the Groundwater Directive (2006/118/EC) (GWD), a consistent approach towards technical assessment is needed. The EPA have published guidance on a framework for the processes,...

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Discharge to Groundwater – Risk Based Assessment

The technical assessment of a discharge to groundwater activity is risk-based and receptor-focussed. The assessment  follows the source-pathway-receptor model which underpins all groundwater protection schemes in Ireland as well as the Water Framework Directive on which the Groundwater Regulations are based. Every discharge activity carries a degree of risk.  The challenge lies in differentiating between...

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Environmental Liability Directive

The Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) is based on the ‘polluter pays’ principle.  It requires those operators whose activities pose an imminent threat of environmental damage to take preventive actions, and where such damage has occurred, to remediate it and cover the costs of these measures and any costs incurred by the competent authority (Environmental Protection...

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Environmental Legislation – Water

In Ireland the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, (as amended by the 1990 Act) provides the principal legal framework for the prevention and control of water pollution. This act includes A general prohibition against water pollution as well Provisions on licensing direct and indirect discharges Water quality standards and management plans. Increased maximum penalties...

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Wastewater legislation for single houses

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) has published a The Water Services  (Amendment) Bill 2011  to regulate wastewater discharges from all homes that are not connected to the public sewer network. All on-site septic tank systems or domestic wastewater treatment systems will have to be registered.  The registration system is to be established...

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