Since 1997 Irish legislation has placed the responsibility for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste on those who handle packaging at any stage of the supply chain. A ‘Producer’ of packaging waste is a business who, for the purpose of trade or otherwise in the course of business sells or otherwise supplies other persons...

Regulation 7 of the Groundwater Regulations states that “Point source discharges and diffuse sources liable to cause groundwater pollution shall be controlled so as to prevent or limit the input of pollutants into groundwater”. This ‘prevent or limit’ objective is the core groundwater quality objective.  In principle, ‘prevent or limit’ measures are the first line...

Regulation 4 of the Groundwater Regulations (S.I. No. 9 of 2010) places a duty on public authorities to promote compliance with the requirements of the regulations and to take all reasonable steps to: prevent or limit the input of pollutants into groundwater prevent the deterioration of the status of all bodies of groundwater protect, enhance...

Due to the comprehensive nature of the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations, 2010 (S.I. No. 9 of 2010) (Groundwater Regulations), and their relation to the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD) and the Groundwater Directive (2006/118/EC) (GWD), a consistent approach towards technical assessment is needed. The EPA have published guidance on a framework for the processes,...

The technical assessment of a discharge to groundwater activity is risk-based and receptor-focussed. The assessment  follows the source-pathway-receptor model which underpins all groundwater protection schemes in Ireland as well as the Water Framework Directive on which the Groundwater Regulations are based. Every discharge activity carries a degree of risk.  The challenge lies in differentiating between...

The Environmental Liability Regulations 2008 define environmental damage under three categories: Damage to natural habitats and protected species – any damage that has significant adverse effects on reaching or maintaining the favourable conservation status of European designated habitats or species  (i.e. those covered by the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and  Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) Damage which significantly...

The Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) is based on the ‘polluter pays’ principle.  It requires those operators whose activities pose an imminent threat of environmental damage to take preventive actions, and where such damage has occurred, to remediate it and cover the costs of these measures and any costs incurred by the competent authority (Environmental Protection...

In Ireland the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, (as amended by the 1990 Act) provides the principal legal framework for the prevention and control of water pollution. This act includes A general prohibition against water pollution as well Provisions on licensing direct and indirect discharges Water quality standards and management plans. Increased maximum penalties...

Around 68% of the population of Ireland live in urban areas and are connected to sewerage systems.  The balance live in rural areas and use septic tanks for treatment of sewage. The capacities of sewerage treatment plants in Ireland vary quite substantially – from those with a capacity of less than 2,000 p.e. (p.e. meaning...