S.L. 549.22 Art. 7Identification of less sensitive areas.

(1) For the purposes of subregulation (2), the competent authority may identify less sensitive areas according to the criteria laid down in Annex II.

(2) Urban waste water discharges from agglomerations of between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent to coastal waters and those from agglomerations of between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent to estuaries situated in areas described in subregulation (1) may be subjected to treatment less stringent than that prescribed in regulation 5 provided that such discharges receive at least primary treatment as defined in regulation 3 in conformity with the control procedures laid down in Annex I (D) and comprehensive studies indicate that such discharges will not adversely affect the environment.

(3) The competent authority shall ensure that the identification of less sensitive areas is reviewed at intervals of not more than four years from when they are identified.

(4) The competent authority shall ensure that areas no longer identified as less sensitive shall meet the requirements of regulations 5 and 6, as appropriate.