Septic tank consents go digital

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has launched a new digital online service for domestic septic tank consents.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has launched a new digital online service for domestic septic tank consents

Rural householders will now be able to apply online for a new discharge consent, transfer ownership of a discharge consent or amend an existing consent. The online service through the DAERA website will remove the need for paper application forms and payment by cheque.

Launching the new online platform Minister Poots said: “The consent to discharge process is vital in enabling NIEA to protect our waterways and vulnerable habitats by regulating the location and performance of private treatment systems, where connection to the mains sewerage system is not possible.

“If you live in a remote part of Northern Ireland, you and your neighbours are likely to have a septic tank or package treatment plant to manage wastewater and sewage from your property and would have applied for consent via a paper application form.

“My Department processes close to 300 consent applications each month and I am delighted to see the positive forward thinking and impact of digital transformation on this service. The fully integrated process will allow you to apply easily for a discharge consent, make the payment and allow you to track the progress of your application.

“Given the restrictions on some activities during the Covid-19 pandemic, increasing access to online services, such as this, is even more critical to ensure my Department can continue to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland. Delivery of this service to customers in a more efficient and straightforward way is a great step forward.”

The Domestic Consent Application system is available on the DAERA website

To use the Domestic Consent application process you will need a user name and password for the Government Gateway, which can be generated when you first logon. The system includes provision for up-loading maps and supporting documents e.g. treatment system certification. 

Notes to editors: 

1. Septic tank systems require a consent to discharge from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Water Regulation Team to make sure the discharge is not going to cause pollution or public health issues.
2. The project to deliver this system has been made possible by a successful collaboration between the DAERA digital Services Division and the NIEA Water Regulation Team in Lisburn.
3. For further information about regulating discharges to water see the DAERA website  
4. The DCA system went live on 02 Nov on DAERA Online Services.
5. For any queries relating to domestic consents please email us. 
6. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
7. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office 
8. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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