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Site Suitability Assessments

Site Suitability Assessments

Site Suitability Assessments also known as Percolation Tests are carried out to meet The EPA Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Population Equivalent ≤ 10) 2021 as part of the planning process.

Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (epa.ie)

The Site Suitability Assessment notifications are designed for site suitability assessors to advise Offaly County Council of when and where they are carrying out site suitability assessments so that Offaly County Council continue to have oversight of Site Suitability Assessments. We have a regulatory role in the processes and procedures of Site Suitability Assessments including inspection and oversight of Site Assessors and their work. Inspections will be unannounced and may involve more than one inspector.

To this end Offaly County Council require notification of all percolation tests to be carried out in the county.

Site Suitability Assessment Notification form

Site Suitability Assessment Site Notice

Landowner Consent form

Please note:

Offaly County Council require a notice period of 2 weeks (10 working days) from receipt of Site Suitability Assessment notification for the test date (Mondays to Saturdays only)

Trial and test holes are to be filled after photographs are taken and the test completed unless otherwise advised by the council.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE FOLLOWING ARE ENCLOSED WITH YOUR COMPLETED NOTIFICATION, FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN YOUR NOTIFICATION BEING RETURNED TO YOU.

  •    Proof of Suitably Qualified status – Assessors qualifications to complete assessment
  • Evidence of Professional Indemnity of €1,000,000 (this must be in date for date of testing)
  •    Written consent from the landowner confirming that:
  • Council officials are permitted onto the lands for inspection/auditing purposes, and
  • That there are no livestock on the site or entry lands to the site for the duration of the site visits. (Template for Consent Form attached)
  • Maps: 1 no. 6” Ordnance Survey Maps or 2no. Discovery Series Maps.
  •  The proposed site must be outlined in red.
  • 1 no. Site Location Maps of the area to be to a scale of 1/2500
  • The proposed site must be outlined in red, with the north point indicated and the relevant Ordnance Survey Sheet number should be included.
  • Access to the site and position of Site Suitability Assessment Site Notice (copy attached) clearly shown.
  • The site location map must show all up to date development on adjacent sites within 250m radius. It should include buildings, wells, septic tanks, proprietary treatment systems and percolation areas, streams and water courses denoting distances to relevant site.
  • 1 no. Site Layout Plans to minimum scale of 1/500.
  • The proposed site must be outlined in red with the north point indicated and it should show contours/levels.

If for exceptional reasons you wish to postpone or cancel the Site Suitability Assessment, a minimum of 1 working days’ notice is required.  For out of office hours, a message may be left at the following number 057 9357403.

The completed Notification Form and accompanying documentation shall be submitted to:

Climate Change, Environment and Rural Water Section, Offaly Co. Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 F893

or via email to:

 environment@offalycoco.ie