I call on the Director of Services Joseph Gilhooly to examine the potential use the “Bio Kube” Wastewater Treatment System. This treatment system can be installed for as little as €6,000 and where/if there was a need for the provision of a willow bed to be installed in addition to the “Bio Kube” cost would be in the region of € 10-15,000.
This system can be sourced here in Leitrim, where Rooskey based company “Waterteck” are agents for this treatment system.
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan;
"I call on the Director of Services Joseph Gilhooly to examine the potential use the “Bio Kube” Wastewater Treatment System. This treatment system can be installed for as little as €6,000 and where/if there was a need for the provision of a willow bed to be installed in addition to the “Bio Kube” cost would be in the region of € 10-15,000.
This system can be sourced here in Leitrim, where Rooskey based company “Waterteck” are agents for this treatment system."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"The design of On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (OSWWTS) for individual house sites rests solely with the designer of any proposed system submitted to the Council through the planning application process. Any proposed OSWWTS is required to comply with the requirements of Part H2 of the Building Regulations, 2010 and each individual system must be designed and installed in accordance with said regulations in conjunction with the EPA Code of Practice 2009 for Wastewater Treatment Systems Serving Single houses.
In addition to the requirements of the Building Regulations and Code of Practice, any OSWWTS proposed to be used must also be approved for use in the Irish market in accordance with the requirements of the European Union Construction Products Directive. Provided that the referenced system satisfies the above-mentioned requirements then there should be no reason preventing its use in Leitrim. The Council cannot, however, endorse any particular proprietary wastewater treatment system.
In regard to the system mention, the Council is aware of its existence and its functionality. However, as the system does have an effluent discharge then, in accordance with the current requirements, it will not assist on sites that have failed the T-Test. However, its output characteristics are duly noted as an example of a system that in time could be of a type that may assist in exploring other alternatives."
Councillor Sean McGowan gave a detailed background to his motion and proposed that Leitrim County Council examine the potential use of the “Bio Kube” Wastewater Treatment System on pilot basis. Councillor McGowan stated the biological and oxygen levels given off are higher than what the EPA require. Councillor McGowan outlined this might be a lifeline for rural housing applications.
Councillor Sean McDermott and Cllr Ellis supported the motion.
Councillor Enda Stenson outlined that something needs to be done in this regard. He paid tribute to Planners and Directors who have worked tirelessly in this regard. Councillor Stenson proposed that a survey be carried out to determine how many people in the county wants to build a house on their farm and cannot get Planning Permission to do so.
Councillor Paddy O’Rourke expressed his disappointment in the reply given in response to the motion and agreed the initiative should be explored and it could serve this county well if given a chance. Councillor Paddy O’Rourke outlined that there are no other counties in the same situation as Leitrim, where 87% of the land mass is not suitable for the conventional septic tank.
Councillor Justin Warnock outlined that it is over a decade ago since this issue arose, and no solution has been found to date and it is now time that a solution was sought. Cllr Warnock outlined that brownfield sites must not be forgotten as possible solutions.
Councillor Enda McGloin paid tribute to Councillor Sean McGowan for raising this and said he was slightly disappointed in the last paragraph of the reply issued in response to the motion. He queried if there was any up-to-date report from the Department in this regard.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mary Bohan referred to Cllr Stenson’s proposal to carry out a survey on the number of people who want to get planning permission on their family farms and outlined that a lot of people are not applying for Planning Permission because of the difficulty in passing the T-Test and therefore it will be difficult to get accurate figures. Councillor Bohan noted that this system is already installed in a neighbouring county and it is important for Leitrim that a solution is found for this planning issue as soon as possible.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly advised that he is aware of the system and its functionality and would be happy to see it used like other on-site Wastewater Treatment Systems. Mr Gilhooly outlined that the system in question does have an effluent discharge, and, in accordance with the current requirements, it will not assist on sites that have failed the T-Test.
Councillor Sean McGowan said he would like to see this system piloted and outlined that it could work in this county.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly advised that an on-site wastewater treatment system must comply with the requirements of Part H2 of the Building Regulations, 2010 and each individual system must be designed and installed in accordance with said regulations in conjunction with the EPA Code of Practice 2009 for Wastewater Treatment Systems Serving Single houses, and if it does not comply it will not be acceptable.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mary Bohan said that where there is a will there is a way and there doesn’t appear to be a will at national level and she proposed that the Minister be contacted in this regard.
Councillor Sean McGowan proposed that a meeting be held with the Minister remotely on this issue.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Mary Bohan asked Mr Joseph Gilhooly if he would attend a meeting with the Minister virtually and he agreed to this request.
Councillor Padraig Fallon proposed that Oireachtas Members for this Consistency also be invited to this meeting with the Minister.
Cllr Enda McGloin agreed to speak to the Minister’s Private Secretary to arrange a virtual meeting.