Surface Water Discharge Licence
What is this licence?
This licence set conditions so effluent discharge to waters is treated and controlled in a way that protects the environment. Discharge licences are issued under Section 4 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, as amended in 1990. Discharging effluent to surface waters without a licence is an offence.
When do I need it?
This is usually required where you are discharging effluent to a surface water body. It likely only applies to industrial facilities such as those for biogas or biomethane.
How to apply
Newspaper notice
You will also need to circulate your intent to apply for this licence in a local newspaper circulating in the area where you are applying for the licence. It must include:
- Name of the applicant and the local authority to which you are making the application
- General description of the effluent
- In the case of trade effluent, state the nature of the trade or industry
- Name and location of the premises from which the effluent is to be discharged
- The waters to which the effluent is to be discharged
Application to Local Authority
You must then lodge your local authority application within two weeks of the newspaper circulation. You will need to include:
- A copy of the newspaper notice
- A site location map, in duplicate, to a suitable scale showing premises, public roadways, location of all discharge points to waters, and the location of all discharge points to the public sewers
- A site drainage plan, in triplicate, to a scale of 1:100 (or other appropriate scale), and other particulars necessary to describe the premises, works, apparatus or plant from which the effluent is to be discharged. It must clearly indicate all drainage on site.
- An application fee of €380.00