Registration of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWWTS)
All domestic wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks etc., must be registered with the national DWWTS system. Details of the registration process are available on the Protect-Our-Water website, via the following link.
https://www.protectourwater.ie/

Operation and Maintenance of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems
Householders with domestic wastewater treatment systems must:

• Know where their treatment system is located;
• Operate and maintain the system correctly;
• Ensure that wastewater is not discharged directly to surface water, such as rivers or streams, or allowed pond on the surface of the ground;
• Ensure that clean roof waters and clean surface waters are diverted away from the treatment system;
• De-sludge the system at an appropriate frequency.

De-Sludging
Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems should be de-sludged on a regular basis to ensure that they operate efficiently. The frequency of de-sludging depends on the type and storage capacity of the system. 

The following table provides guidance on the recommended de-sludging frequency for domestic septic tanks (Ref. EPA Code of Practice – Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems: https://www.epa.ie/publications/compliance–enforcement/waste-water/2021_CodeofPractice_Web.pdf). Guidance on the de-sludging frequency for other treatment systems should be obtained from the system manufacturer.

Desludging and collection of domestic wastewater sludges must only be undertaken by an authorised contractor, who holds a current and valid waste collection permit. Details of permitted operators are available from the National Waste Collection Permit Office website via the following link http://www.nwcpo.ie/permitsearch.aspx and by carrying out the following steps:  

1. Click on “Quick Search” and select waste type “Septic Tank Desludging”.  
2. Click on “Select Counties” and select “Kerry County”. 
3. Click the “Search” button and then select the WCP number/NWCPO reference (in blue) to gain access to contact details of your local Waste Collector.

Inspections of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems
Under the National Inspection Plan, Kerry County Council is responsible for carrying out inspections of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (ie. septic tanks etc.) in County Kerry. 

Inspections of domestic wastewater treatment systems are carried out by trained inspection staff from Kerry County Council. The selection of dwellings for inspection under the National Inspection Plan is made on a risk-based approach, and those selected are notified directly in writing by Kerry County Council in advance of the inspection taking place. However, it is always advisable to seek proof of identity from any person seeking to carry out any inspection at your property.

Kerry County Council may also carry out inspections of domestic wastewater treatment systems for other purposes. For example, inspections may be carried out where a complaint or report of a malfunctioning system is received. However, these inspections may not be pre-notified.

Details of the National Inspection Plan, along with advice and information on
domestic wastewater treatment systems (including possible grant assistance) are
available at the following links:

• National Inspection Plan – https://www.epa.ie/publications/compliance–enforcement/waste-water/national-inspection-plan-for-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-2022-2026.php
• DWWTS : Inspections and Repairs – https://www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/waste-water/inspections–repair/#d.en.85596
• DWWTS : Registration and Grant Assistance – https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks/

Domestic Wastewater Treatment System Grant Schemes
A number of national grant schemes are potentially available for the improvement of domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS), as follows:

• DWWTS Grant under the National Inspection Plan – This grant assistance scheme is only potentially available to properties inspected under the National Inspection Plan, and which have failed the inspection process. The selection of dwellings for inspection under the National Inspection Plan is made on a risk-based approach.
• DWWTS Grant for Prioritised Areas for Action – This scheme is potentially available to properties located within Prioritised Areas for Action.
• DWWTS Grant for High Status Objective Catchment Areas.

These schemes are administered in County Kerry by Kerry County Council. Terms and conditions of the grant schemes are available via the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks/