Percentage of septic tank registrations to be in ‘high 80s’

Percentage of septic-tank registrations to be in ‘high 80s’


Anton McNulty
antonmcnulty@mayonews.ie

Mayo County Council believes that well over 80 percent of eligible Mayo households have registered their septic tanks for inspection. The deadline for registration for septic tanks and domestic waster water treatment systems passed on Friday last, February 1.
The final figure has not yet been tallied, but County Secretary John Condon told The Mayo News that he expects the figure will be in the ‘high 80s. The remarkable rise in registration rates in recent months was not expected, as just 38 per cent of had households registered their systems at the reduced fee of €5 by the beginning of October.
Since then, households have had to pay €50 to register their systems. Mr Condon explained that the majority of payments came during the month of January.
The controversial registration charge is part of the Water Services Act, which will see the introduction of an inspection system for septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems in Ireland.

Grants
Mr Condon warned that people who have not yet registered their system are committing an offence, and he encouraged people to register immediately.
“If you have not registered by now you are committing an offence, but if you register you will no longer be in breach,” he said. The price for registration will remain the same, even though the deadline has passed. However, households registering after February 1 will not be eligible for the septic-tank-upgrade grant.
For those that are eligible for the grant, Mr Condon said the council have not received any details regarding how it will be implemented, but he expects to receive it ‘shortly’. He added that the council also expects to receive details from the Department for the Environment on the inspection of systems.
Households with an income of up to €50,000 can avail of a maximum grant of €4,000 while those with an income of €50,001 to €75,000 can avail of a maximum grant of €2,500.

Fines
Mayo County Council has not yet received information regarding fines to be imposed on households that do not register their systems, but Minister Phil Hogan said such households  face a fine of up to €5,000.

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