Discharge Licences

In 2007 the “Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. 684 of 2007)” were introduced to control and regulate discharges from Waste Water Treatment Works and Agglomerations (Network). These Regulations apply to all discharges from Waste Water Treatment Plants.

Local Authorities are required to apply to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for a Discharge Licence (WWDL) in respect of a treatment works serving a population of greater than 500 – Longford County Council has applied to the EPA in respect of all such wastewater treatment works in its control which fall under this category before the prescribed date for applications in 2010. Treatment works serving a population of less than 500 require a Certificate of Authorisation (COA) – again Longford County Council has applied to the EPA in respect of such wastewater treatment works in its control which fall under this category before the prescribed date for applications in 2010. Table 1 below outlines the current status in relation to Discharge Licence / Certificate of Authorisation applications. The full text of any granted licences / certificates can be viewed on the EPA website at www.epa.ie or by clicking on the Treatment Works name below.