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Unsewered Wastewater Treatment Systems National Study (2008)


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Create Date	29th August 2008
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Unsewered wastewater treatment systems constitute a significant diffuse pressure acting on water. The pressure on groundwater is described as widespread in the Water
Framework Directive National Summary Characterisation Report of 2004. With regard to surface water, the relative contribution of unsewered systems in terms of nutrient
load amounts to 3% for nitrate and 7% for phosphorous, while pathogens have been identified as a particular risk.

With over 400,000 unsewered systems in use in Ireland and an estimated 200,000 wells and springs, the prevention of contamination of drinking water from on-site sewage
effluent is of critical importance. A key factor is to have a consistent approach across River Basin Districts to planning, site evaluation and assessment, use of guidance and certification of approved systems on installation.

File	Action
Unsewered Systems Validation Summary Report.pdf	Download
Sewered Areas Survey.pdf	Download
Programme of Measures Unsewered Wastewater National Study_v2.pdf	Download

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About author

EPA Catchments Unit

Administrator

The EPA Catchments Unit is based in Dublin, and the team is involved with catchment science, chemistry, ecology, hydromorphology, modelling, Geographic Information Systems and planning. We work with the wider EPA, all of our local authorities, the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and other public bodies and Departments to ensure we have the best available data and information about our catchments.

Who is involved?
Quite simply, everyone in Ireland has a role to play. This can be from something as simple as making sure you don’t pollute your local stream, or a local community working together to establish a Rivers Trust to enhance the rivers and lakes in their area, to a Government Department or Agency helping a Minister implement a new policy to help protect and enhance all our water bodies.

This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Local Authority Waters Programme.

Local Authority Waters Programme

The Local Authority Waters Programme coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4,842 water bodies, looking at trends and changes, determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives for each.

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.