Septic Tank / Wastewater Treatment Systems
SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
February 2010
GENERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION
Kildare County Council advises all household owners, whose properties are served by a septic tank or other wastewater treatment system, of the requirements of the EPA Code of Practice (COP): Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e < 10) which came into force in January 2010. The COP covers the design, installation and maintenance of septic tank systems and other wastewater treatment systems. The COP requires that the householder ensures the following essential measures are carried out:
All septic tank systems and other wastewater treatment systems must be desludged at least once a year. Only a sludge removal contractor who holds a valid Waste Collection Permit for the County of Kildare shall be used to desludge these systems. In this regard, the public are advised to check details of the Waste Collection Permit from contractors before using their services. A list of approved contractors is available online, click here List of Approved Contractors or from the Environment Section, Administration on Level 4 at Aras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas. Or by phone on (045) 980588.
In the case of proposed dwellings or in cases where an assessment of an existing septic tank system or other wastewater treatment system is required for planning application purposes, only the services of Site Assessors that are on an approved panel for Co. Kildare will be accepted by Kildare County Council and therefore you are advised to check with your Site Assessor to ensure that he she is on that list.
Regular inspection and maintenance is essential to ensure that your septic tank system or other wastewater treatment system works effectively and to prevent your system from polluting groundwater, wells, watercourses and streams and to avoid public health issues from overground ponding of effluent where systems fail to operate satisfactorily. For more detailed maintenance information please check online at http: www.epa.ie downloads advice water wastewater in particular refer to Table 12.1, Page 52 of this document.
SLUDGE CONTRACTORS INFORMATION
Sludge Contractors are advised:
to ensure that they hold a valid Waste Collection Permit and to check that the details given online on the Kildare County Council website is up to date.
that they have their Waste Collection Permit available for verification by the public at all times.
SITE ASSESSOR INFORMATION INFORMATION
Site Assessors are asked to note the following:
As per Department of Heritage Environment and Local Government DoEHLG Circular, the EPA Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e < 10) Code of Practice (COP), has come into operation and supercedes the EPA Wastewater Treatment Manual for Single Houses (2000). A letter advising of the details has been issued to all approved Assessors.
For clarification or further information on any of the above please contact the Environment Section on 045-980588 to speak to our technical staff dealing with Planning Applications.
Planning Requirements for On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (updated January 2010):
Kildare County Council have been advised by the Department of Heritage, Environment and Local Government (DoEHLG) that site assessments and Site Characterisation Forms completed in accordance with the EPA Wastewater Treatment Manual: Treatment Systems for Single Houses published in 2000 should not be accepted after 8th January 2010.
Only site assessments and Site Characterisation Forms completed in accordance with the new Code of Practice (EPA Code of Practice: Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e < 10) published 2009) should be submitted to Kildare County Council after 8th January 2010.