Roles and responsibilities in waste water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the environmental regulator of Irish Water. We issue and enforce authorisations for waste water discharges.  There are approximately 1,100 authorisations nationally. 

Irish Water is responsible for the collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water in Ireland. If you wish to contact Irish Water with regards to a waste water treatment plant or sewer network, please find their contact details on water.ie

You can find out more information regarding a specific authorisation by going to the waste water licence/permit section.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities is the economic regulator responsible for ensuring that Irish Water is spending its money properly to improve water services.  If you wish to contact CRU with regards to Irish Water please find details on the CRU webpage

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Do you want to know more about septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems?

Waste water is the polluted form of water generated from rainwater runoff and human activities.  Browse through our environment and you section to read more about domestic waste water.

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Waste water

Learn more about waste water and what the EPA does.

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Environmental Data Exchange Network (EDEN)

EDEN is the EPA's online web portal for Local Authorities and licensees to communicate with the EPA on numerous applications.

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Latest publications in Waste water

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Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2021

Urban waste water treatment in Ireland during 2021

This report provides an overview of urban waste water treatment in Ireland during 2021. It identifies the priority issues that must be addressed to protect our environment from the harmful effects of waste water discharges

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2021 Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems

This publication will assist authorities, developers, system manufacturers, system designers, installers, and operators to deal with various systems.

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Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2020

Domestic waste water treatment systems (DWWTS) are used by householders to treat sewage.

Read the key findings on the inspections carried out in 2020 and useful hints on looking after your septic tank.

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Latest News and Press Releases

in: Wastewater
Poorly treated sewage continues to harm the quality of our rivers, lakes and coastal waters, says EPA.

Date released: October 19, 2022

The EPA report on Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2021, released today, shows that investment in waste water infrastructure is delivering improvements to priority areas identified by the EPA, but treatment at many areas is still not as good as it needs to be.

Delays in fixing failed septic tanks is unacceptable, says EPA

Date released: June 29, 2022

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Inspections in 2021. This is a report of the 1,147 inspections of septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems completed by local authorities in 2021.

Unacceptable delays and the pace at which essential improvements in waste water treatment are being delivered is too slow, says EPA

Date released: November 02, 2021

The EPA report on Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2020, released today, shows that the pace at which essential improvements in waste water treatment are being delivered is too slow. Irish Water is making progress in resolving environmental issues and the number of priority areas has reduced from 148 to 97 over the past four years. However, there is still a long way to go to bring all deficient treatment systems up to standard.