Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977.

This Act makes provision for the control of pollution of artificial and natural inland waters and tidal waters by local authorities (defined in sect. 1). The Minister for Local Government shall by order, after consultation with any other Minister who appears to him to be interested, appoint a body which shall be known as the Water Pollution Advisory Council and is in this section referred to as the Council (sect. 2). Section 3 introduces a general prohibition on entry of polluting matter to waters. Section 4 requires a licence for the discharge or cause or permits the discharge of any trade effluent (as defined in sect. 1) or sewage effluent. The same section specifies conditions that may be attached to the licence by a local authority (defined in sect. 1). The Minister may make Regulations in relation to licences and appeals in relation to licences (sect. 8). Local authorities shall keep registers of licences granted, water abstractions, and licences to discharge to sewers granted under section 16 (sect. 9). Section 13 grants powers to local authority to prevent and abate pollution in certain circumstances. A local authority may and, if so directed by the Minister, shall make a water quality management plan for any waters situated in its functional area or which adjoin that area (sect. 15). Section 22 concerns monitoring and other data collection by local authorities and sanitary authorities. The Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for the Public Service and the Water Pollution Advisory Council, by order establish, in respect of such area as is specified in the order, a water quality control authority (sect. 25). The Minister may also prescribe water quality standards under section 26. Regulations restricting use of vessels using certain sanitary appliances that pollute waters other than tidal waters may be made under section 27. Remaining sections provide for research, inspection, prosecution and general regulation making powers of the Minister. (23 sections)