Sewage sludge in agriculture regulations enforcement
Local authorities regulate the spreading of sewage sludge by farmers and landowners on their lands.
Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants and septic tanks can only be used in Agriculture in accordance with: -
- The Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations, 1998.
- The Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations, 2001.
These Regulations provide for the registration and regulation of sewage sludge facilities to meet the requirements of the Waste Framework Directive.
Guidelines for Slurry/Fertiliser Spreading: -
- Check the weather forecast before spreading. Do not apply organic or chemical fertilisers when heavy rain is forecast within the next 48 hours (about 4 days).
Avoid spreading organic or chemical fertiliser:
- On wet or waterlogged ground
- On frozen or snow-covered land
- On land sloping steeply towards rivers, streams, lakes and exposed bedrock
- No Chemical Fertiliser should be applied within 1.5m of any watercourse.
- Avoid polluting surface waters and wells by leaving a buffer strip between them and the land on which organic fertilisers are applied.
Sewage sludge facilities certificate
Operators of sewage sludge facilities must register with the local authority for a certificate of registration to meet waste management requirements.
To comply with article 7 (1) of the Waste Management (Registration of Sewage Sludge Facility) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 32/2010) all Operators of sewage sludge storage facilities:
- Must register with the local authority for a Certificate of Registration to allow for the safe storage of treated sewage sludge in their functional area.
- Each certificate that is issued has specific conditions that must be met.
- Each facility will be inspected and audited over the year.
- An annual Environmental Report must be submitted to Galway County Council each year. This must provide details on how the facility performed over the previous 12 months.
Sewage sludge in agriculture register
Local authorities maintain a public register of farmers and landowners who spread sewage sludge on their lands.
Sewage sludge facilities regulations enforcement
Local authorities regulate the storage of waste in sewage sludge facilities from wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks.
These Regulations provide for the registration and regulation of sewage sludge facilities to meet the requirements of the Waste Framework Directive.
Sewage sludge facilities register
Local authorities maintain a public register of sewage sludge facilities.
- The Waste Management (Registration of Sewage Sludge Facility) Regulations S.I. No. 32 of 2010 was introduced on 2nd February 2010 and may be subject to amendment.
- These Regulations provide for the registration and regulation of sewage sludge facilities to meet the requirements of the Waste Framework Directive.
- Facilities already regulated under other environmental legislation such as licensed facilities under the Waste Management Acts are excluded.
Click here for the Register of sewage sludge facilities in County Galway.
