EPA Waste Water Discharge Licences

What is waste water?

Waste water is generated in our home and businesses from showers, toilets, sinks, washings etc. It is collected in a network of pipes known as a sewer system and conveyed to a waste water treatment plant for processing.

How does a waste water treatment plant work?

Firstly the waste water arrives to the treatment plant from the sewer network. Debris such as rags and grit are removed using large screens. This screened debris is then sent to a skip and eventually the contents of this skip will be sent for landfill.

The screened waste water then passes into large tanks known as aeration basins. This is where the biological treatment of the waste water takes place. In these tanks naturally forming microorganisms breakdown the waste in the water, in turn cleaning the water.

This mix of clean water and microorganisms then naturally separate in large tanks known as clarifiers. The clean water then flows out to the river and the microorganism are returned to the aeration tank to treat more waste water.

Who regulates the discharge from Monaghan County Councils waste water treatment plants?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the discharges from all our waste water treatment plants in County Monaghan. The aim of these licences is to ensure that discharges do not have any significant impact on the receiving water body (e.g. river).

Who do I contact with regard to a waste water treatment plant in County Monaghan?

The Water Services Department of Monaghan County Council (On behalf of Irish Water) is responsible for looking after all the waste water treatment plants in County Monaghan. You can reach us by

Telephone: 1850 278 278 – Irish Water (Normal Working Hours)

1890 445 335 (After Hours)

Web: www.water.ie

047 30504/30556 Monaghan Co. Council

How many treatment plants are there in County Monaghan?

There are approximately 32 waste water treatment plants in County Monaghan.

How can I find out more information on a particular wastewater treatment plants in County Monaghan?

To find out more about waste water treatment plants in County Monaghan simply click on the following link: Waste Water Treatment Plants & Discharge Licences In here you will find links to the EPA website for each plant and all associated information including maps, applications and license details.

Details of Monaghan County Council waste water discharge licences can be viewed on the EPA website. Under Search 4, choose the name of the Agglomeration that is, the name of the town you wish to find information on:

EPA – Discharge Licences for Monaghan

A Public Awareness File for each individual License is located in Monaghan County Council Water Service Department and is available for viewing on request in our office from 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday to Friday