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Project Code [2005-MS-15-M1]
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Project title
An investigation into the effective distribution of on-site wastewater effluent into percolation areas and the treatment performance of sandy subsoils and constructed wetlands
Primary Funding Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
n/a
Lead Organisation
University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)
Lead Applicant
Laurence Gill
Project Abstract
The safe disposal of on-site wastewater is essential forthe protection of groundwater in Ireland and has comemore into focus recently due to the publication of the EPAguidance manual Treatment Systems for Single Houses(EPA 2000). This project reports the results from fourseparate field trials carried out on separate sites coveringa range of different subsoil types whereby two sites weredischarging septic tank effluent into conventionalpercolation areas and the other two sites weredischarging secondary treated effluent from a peat filterinto similar percolation areas. Stratified sand filters werealso constructed one receiving septic tank effluent theother receiving secondary treated effluent for comparison.The short duration of the research (the maximum amountof time that each site was monitored was 12 months) andthe limited numbers of sites investigated mean that onlytentative conclusions can be made about on-sitewastewater treatment at this stage which will hopefully becorroborated by further research in the future.
Grant Approved
�380,827.85
Research Hub
Natural Environment
Research Theme
Protecting our Water Resources
Initial Projected Completion Date
n/a