Water Legislation
A considerable body of legislation guides Cork County Council's divisions in the conduct of their duties concerning the provision of water services. Prior to Ireland joining the EU, the quality of drinking water for human consumption was governed largely by the 'International Standards for Drinking Water', published by the Work Health Organisation (WHO). Water that complied with WHO standards were considered fit for human consumption.
On 16 June, 1975, the Surface Water Directive (75/440/EEC), concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in member states was adopted. It was signed into law in Ireland, and took effect as the European Communities (Quality of Surface Water Intended for the Abstraction of Drinking Water) Regulations, 1989, from 1 December 1989.
On 17 December 1989, the Ground Water Directive (80/68/EEC), on the protection of ground water against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances, was adopted. This was signed into law in Ireland as the Groundwater Regulations, 1999, taking effect on 1 June 1988.
On 15 July 1980, the Drinking Water Directive (80/778/EEC), relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption was adopted. This was signed into law in Ireland as the European Communities (Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1988. On 24 December 2000, a new Drinking Water Directive was adopted, which is Council Directive 98/83/EC.
Waste Water Legislation
The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) and Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Urban Waste Water Treatment) Regulations, 1994 set out the timetable by which various forms of treatment and collection had to be provided for different population equivalents. These regulations are the subject of major infrastructural investment at present.
EU Water Framework Directive
The EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) has the ambitious target of restoring European surface and ground waters to a good status by 2015. A major programme is underway to achieve this aim. An important objective is to prevent any further deterioration in the status of water bodies, particularly those that are currently of high status.
The Directive was agreed by the European Parliament and Council in September of 2000, and came into force on 22 December 2000. The directive rationalises, updates existing water legislation, and provides for water management on the basis of rive basin districts (RBDs). It applies to both inland and coastal waters.
Relevant Water and Waste Water Legislation
Cork County Council has byelaws relating to water quality standards, which were enacted in 1961. The principal national and EU legislation relating to water and wastewater quality is as follows:
All Acts and Statutory Instruments relating to Water Services are fully listed in chronological order on the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government website.
Key Legislation, Regulations and guidelines in the Water Services area also include the following:
Water Services Operation & Maintenance
· Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878
· Public Health (Amendment) Acts
· Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1962
· Lighting of Towns (Ireland) Act 1828- power to undertake water schemes
· Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878-1995
· Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948-introduced term sanitary services
· Local Government Act 2001
· Water Services Act 2007
· Cork County Council Annual Budget
Drinking Water Quality and Standards
· European Communities (water intended for human consumption) Regulations 1988 - S.I. 81/1988
· European Communities (quality of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water) Regulations 1989 - S. I. 294/1989
· European Communities (Drinking water) Regulations 2007 S.I. 106/2007
· European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2000
· Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies Act) 1960
Sewage Effluent and Standards
· EPA Act 1992 (Urban Wastewater Treatment) Regulations 1994 - S.I. 419/1994
· Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations 2001 - S.I. 254/2001
· European Communities (waste water treatment) (prevention of odour & noise) Regulations 2005 - S.I 787/2005
Connections to Public Water & Sewerage Mains
· Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 Section 271 illegal connections
· Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1962
· Cork County Council Managers Order specifying cost of connections
Water Conservation
· Circular WSP8/04 dated 26th August 2004 Water Services Pricing Policy Implementation Non-Domestic Metering Programme: notes for guidance (Issue 3)
· Circular WSP 5/06 dated 21st December 2006 Water Services Pricing Policy Implementation Non-Domestic Metering Programme
· Notes for Guidance (Issue 4)
Provision of Water and Sewerage Schemes
Assessment of Needs
· Department Circular Letter
· L1/94
· L9/98 of 22/10/1998
· L11/03 of 26/6/2003
· L2/06 of 16/03/2006
Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 (WSIP)
· L16/02 Water Services Pricing Policy - Consolidation of Water Services Pricing Policy Procedures
· L1/06 dated 30th January 2006 WSIP revision of approval & recoupment procedures
· L7/06 dated 3rd November 2006 WSIP further revision of approval procedures
· L11/06 of 28th December 2006 web enable PCs for WSIP
· L12/06 of 20th December 2006 - New Conditions of Engagement for Consultants and new forms of Construction contracts for public works. Implementation on Water Services Projects
· L1/07 dated 4 January 2007 WSIP revision of Serviced Land Initiative Programme
Acquisition of Water Rights/Water Abstraction
· Water Supplies Act 1942
· County Management (Reserved Functions) Order 1948 - S.I. 45/1948
Land Acquisition/Wayleaves
· Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
· Local Government (no.2) Act 1960
· Housing Act 1966
· Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006
· Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878
Burial Grounds
· Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878
· Rules and Regulations for the operation of Burial Grounds 1888
· Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948
· Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1962
· Local Government Act 1994 (2nd Schedule - Exhumation Licences)
· Cork County Council Managers Order on Charges
Derelict Sites and Dangerous Buildings/Places
· Derelict Sites Act 1990
· Derelict Sites Regulations 1991
· Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964
Group Schemes Section
1. Principal Legislation governing the operation of the section includes:
· Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948
· Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1979
2. Taking in Charge of existing Group Water Supply Scheme
· Circular Letter No. L14/97
3. Upgrading of existing Group Water Supply Scheme
· Circular Letter No. L14/97
· General Conditions for Group Water Scheme 2000
· GW32 - Instructions to tenderers/Form of Tender
4. Construction of new Group Water Supply Scheme
· Circular Letter No. L14/97
· GW3 - Group Water Supply Schemes - General Information
· General Conditions for Group Water Supply Scheme 2000
· Information Requirements for Group Water Supply Schemes
· Design Data for Group Water supply schemes
· GW 32 - Instructions to tenders/Form of Tender
5. Subsidies towards the operational costs of a Group Water Supply Scheme
· Circular Letter No. L10/97
6. Provision of improvement of individual water supply to a house
· Circular Letter No. L8/97
