These Regulations are intended to provide additional protection for groundwater against discharges of certain dangerous substances. The Regulations: prohibit the discharge by sanitary authorities of certain dangerous substances to groundwater, and provide for controls by the Environmental Protection Agency, by way of a licensing system, in relation to discharges of other such substances by sanitary authorities. Part 1 contains definitions. Part 2 concerns the control of discharges to groundwater. Regulation 3 prescribes quality standards for sewage and any other effluent discharged to an aquifer by or on behalf of a sanitary authority in respect of the harmful substances specified in the First Schedule. Regulation 4 prohibits the discharge of certain effluents to groundwater without licence. Licences shall be granted by the Environmental Protection Agency. The sanitary authority shall publish a notice of intention to apply for licence (reg. 6). Part 3 concern consideration of an application. Transbordery impacts will be considered (reg. 10). Part 4 provides for grant of licence and conditions attached to licence. Part 5 deals with review of licences. Part 6 contains miscellaneous provisions. The Agency shall carry out or cause to be carried out such monitoring as it considers necessary in relation to the effects on groundwater of a discharge in relation to which a licence has been granted, and compliance with the conditions attached to a licence. A Register shall be kept for purposes of these Regulations by the Agency and sanitary authorities. (32 regulations completed by 5 Schedules)
Protection of Groundwater Regulations, 1999 (S.I. No. 41 of 1999).