Under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 the Department of the Environment must give permission for all waste discharges from domestic (and non-domestic) premises, which are not connected to the public sewer and where it is proposed that the discharge will go to a waterway, or underground stratum.
A discharge consent will outline conditions relating to the quality and quantity of the discharge. The conditions are drawn-up in such a way so as to ensure the receiving waterway, or the underground stratum can absorb the discharge.
A consent to discharge effluent from a single domestic property is granted by the Department, subject to the recommendations made by the local Environmental Health (Rivers) Officer.
A register of domestic discharge consents is held by us.
Applying for Discharge ConsentFor details of how to apply for discharge consent from either multiple domestic dwellings or industry view our section on Industrial and Private Sewage.
For details of the fees applicable view the Water Order Fees and Charges Schemes 2012 (.PDF 70Kb)
Please note that some application fees have been revised with effect from 1 January 2012. Please view the Application fees for discharge consent (.PDF 220Kb) which summarises the changes.
Your cheque and application will be acknowledged within three working days of receipt.
Depending on the complexity of your application it will be processed within four months unless a time extension is agreed with you.
If your application is refused you will be told how to appeal.
Application FormFrom 30 January 2012 the process for applying for a consent from a single domestic dwelling is changing. You may wish to view the new policy Northern Ireland Environment Agency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 Restructuring and Revision of Application process and fees for discharge consent under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 for Single Domestic Dwellings October 2011 (.PDF 432Kb)
If you wish to apply for a Single Domestic Dwelling Consent download and fill in an Application form WO2 (.PDF 84Kb)
For details and guidance on completing the application form - Guidance for form WO2 (.PDF 120Kb)
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Water Management Unit
Tel: 028 9262 3181
Fax: 028 9262 3120
E-mail: WaterInfo@doeni.gov.uk