Discharge Licences
Discharges other than domestic wastewater and storm water are licensable under the Local Government Water Pollution Act 1977, as amended.
Apply for a discharge licence
If you release an effluent (other than domestic wastewater or stormwater) to waters or a sewer, you are required to have the appropriate discharge licence in place. Discharge (trade effluent) licences ensure that discharge is treated and controlled in a manner that protects the receiving environment. The below outlines the various types of licences available for trade effluent discharges however if you are unsure which one you require, please call Water Pollution Control and a site visit can be arranged.
Discharge to Waters – Section 4 Licenses
Discharge licences are issued under Section 4 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, as amended in 1990, in respect of the discharge of trade effluent to surface water or groundwater. Licences set conditions so the discharge is treated and controlled in a manner that protects the receiving environment.
The discharge of trade effluent to waters without a licence is an offence under the Act. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a Discharge Licence is an offence under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, as amended.
Application forms and guidance notes for discharge to surface waters and discharge to groundwater can be downloaded below. Completed forms should be submitted to Dublin City Council, Drainage Department, Block 1, Floor 4, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 along with the required documents and fee.
Discharge to Sewer - Section 16 Licences
Discharge licences in respect of the discharge of trade effluent to sewer are issued under Section 16 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, as amended. Discharge licences to the surface water sewer are issued by Dublin City council however discharge licences to the foul/combined sewer are issued by Irish Water.
Section 16 discharge licence application forms are available from Irish Water, please call 1800 278 278 or visit the Irish Water website www.water.ie/tradeeffluent.
Requirement to register an abstraction
People who abstract 25 cubic meters of water or more per day are required to register their water abstraction with the EPA. To register your abstraction and for more information, please visit https://www.epa.ie/licensing/watwaste/watabs/