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Groundwater Authorisations

The Groundwater Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 transpose the requirements of the EC Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC). The Directive seeks to prevent the direct or indirect discharge of List I substances to groundwater and control pollution resulting from the direct or indirect discharge of List II substances to groundwater.

Under these Regulations disposal, and tipping for the purpose of disposal of List I and List II substances to land is subject to a formal system of authorisation. For the majority of farms this means an authorisation for the disposal of:

waste sheep dip, including cosmetic dips and
waste pesticides, including tank washings

A Groundwater Authorisation will include conditions which ensure that the disposal will cause no risk of entry of chemicals into groundwater.

A register of authorisations is held by NIEA and these are open to public inspection.

Applying for a Groundwater Authorisation

Your 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.
If you need advice please feel free to contact the Agricultural Regulations Team at: 028 92 623278.