Registration fee for septic tanks reduced to €5 for first 3 months
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan set out the Government’s proposals for the registration and inspection of septic tanks earlier this week with good news for those who intend registering their tanks on time.
Minister Hogan said that a reduced inspection fee for the first three months would be put in place and he outlined the practical approach that will be taken to the inspections.
“To act as an incentive for owners to register early, I have decided to set the registration fee at €5 instead of the proposed €50 for the first three months. I would encourage people to register before the June 30, and avail of the lower fee,” he said.
The deadline for registration is March 2013.
“This legislation has been deliberately framed to minimise the impact on householders who can be assured that if their systems are working properly and are being maintained the impact of the new system will be minor. We are adopting a very practical approach to the inspection guidelines. Once my Department’s consultation with the EPA and the European Commission has been completed, I will formally announce the guidelines in two weeks which will be followed by a four week public consultation period.
“Today I am in a position to announce some of the practical standards that will be included in the guidelines. Septic tanks and waste-water treatment systems must be operational and maintained and the guidelines will outline some very simple and obvious examples of risks of a deficient treatment system. For example, is it leaking waste water or effluent? Or is it causing ponds of waste water to collect on the surface of the ground?
“No-one should have any difficulty with these common-sense requirements, after all, if a septic tank is leaking or causing waste water to pond on the surface, the most immediate risk is posed to the health of the owner of the system and of his family and neighbours.”
Under the legislation anyone who owns a septic tank or a waste-water treatment system needs to register before March 2013.
After the four week public consultation period has been completed and the regulations have been published, a registration system will be in place by March 31. There will be an on-line registration system and a facility for written registration.
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