Since January 1st, 2015 it is mandatory to possess planning permission, building control approval and a consent to discharge form (W02) from the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (NIEA) in order to install any new septic tank or sewage treatment plant. Note: If you have a septic tank or sewage tank which was installed prior to January 1st, 2015 you still require a consent to discharge form from the NIEA. Any septic tank discharging directly to a watercourse must be upgraded immediately. If not, the homeowner will face prosecution. See General Building Rules for Septic Tanks for more information. As the mandatory consent to discharge approval form is an important element of the planning permission process your architect may have already taken care of this. However, in case they have not, or you require help with the process, we are happy to assist.
The consent application forms can be filled in by Depawater Ltd.
An application fee is required by NIEA. This fee is dependent on the chosen discharge option - Contact our office for the latest prices:
Discharge to subsurface irrigation (Soakaway / Percolation)
Discharge to waterway (Direct Discharge)
At Depawater, we handle the entire application process for you, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Our services include:
Full processing and approval of your Consent to Discharge application.
Professional Percolation Testing.
Certified Tricel solutions tailored to your site.
Custom design solutions to suit virtually any property.
More information can be found on this subject by following the link to the Department of Agricultural, Environment and Rural Affairs website.
Are you discharging to a waterway or a soakaway?
Before completing your consent form, it's important to know whether your system will discharge into a soakaway (sub-surface irrigation system) or a waterway (such as a stream, river, or open ditch). This decision directly affects the type of sewage treatment system you'll need.
If connecting your property to the main sewer is not an option, you'll need an off-mains or standalone system. Here are the main options available:
| System Type | Details | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard Septic Tank |
Suitable when you have approximately 100 meters of drainage field connected to an underground soakaway. Requires a percolation test and NIEA approval. |
|
|
95% BOD Sewage Treatment Plant |
Designed for setups with around 80–100 square meters of drainage field to a soakaway. A percolation test and NIEA approval are needed. |
|
|
97.5% BOD Sewage Treatment Plant |
Ideal if your effluent can be piped directly to a watercourse (stream, ditch, or river). This option does not require a percolation test but does need NIEA approval. |
Instead of worrying about forms and regulations, let Depawater take care of the entire Consent to Discharge application for you. Our team manages everything from start to finish, ensuring your application is processed quickly, accurately, and with minimal hassle. Contact us today and we’ll handle the paperwork so you can focus on your project.
Whether your building a new home or have a commercial project or are upgrading an old system, Depawater is here to help. With over 25+ years of experience, trusted Tricel products, and a personal, professional approach – we’re the team you can rely on to get the job done right. We manage insurance claims, making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
