Register your septic tank before February 1st to ensure you can apply for a grant

Fine Gael Senator for Sligo and Leitrim Michael Comiskey has once again today (Monday) urged owners of domestic wastewater treatment systems to register their systems before the 1st February 2013 deadline.   Registration is required under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 which introduces a new registration and inspection system for septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems.   Fines of up to €5,000 may apply for systems not registered.

“If you own a property connected to a septic tank or other treatment system you need to register your system before the deadline.   Inspections will commence during the year, of which notification will be sent in advance.

“Failure to register will deem a householder ineligible for the grant scheme set up to provide financial assistance to householders whose septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems, require remediation or upgrading following inspection.   Grants of up to 80% of the cost of the remedial works, to a maximum of €4,000 will be made available.

“The registration and inspection of domestic wastewater systems has been introduced following a European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland in 2009 and aims to protect ground and surface water quality, particularly drinking water, from malfunctioning systems.

Registration forms are available from:

–           Local Authority Offices

–           Public Libraries

–           Citizen Information Centres

–           By dialling the office of Protect our water on Lo-Call 1890 800 800 and requesting a form be sent to you

–           Logging on to www.protectourwater.ie

Payment and registration can then be made in three ways:

1.        Completing a registration form and making the payment at your Local Authority

2.        Applications forms and payment by way of cheque, bank draft, postal order or credit or debit card can be sent to: Protect Our water, P.O. Box 12204, Dublin 7

3.        Householders can register and pay online using a debit or credit card on www.protectourwater.ie

“I have been assured by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that future inspections will not simply seek to impose modern standards on older systems. That each system will be assessed on a case by case basis and where a system fails an inspection the recommended remedial works will be based on the factors affecting that particular system.

“If any householder requires assistance in completing their registration, my Constituency office at Main Street, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim 071 9855666 would be happy to do so.