Septic Tanks and Domestic Discharges

Domestic Consents section

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 Consent

For 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 130Kb)

Please note that some application fees have been revised with effect from 1 January 2012. Please view the Application Fees for Discharge Consents (.PDF 37.8Kb) 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 Form

From 30 January 2012 the process for applying for a consent from a single domestic dwelling is changing. You may wish to view the guidance on completing the new application form - Guidance for form WO2 (.PDF 120Kb)

If you wish to apply for a Single Domestic Dwelling Consent download and fill in an Application form WO2 (.PDF 84Kb)

Further information and advice on making an application for discharge consent from a single domestic dwelling can be obtained from:

Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Water Management Unit

Tel: 028 9262 3181
Fax: 028 9262 3120

E-mail: WaterInfo@doeni.gov.uk