For complete peace of mind have your Septic Tank serviced by Walsh Waste and we will register your tank free as part of the overall service between now and September 28 2012
More than 400,000 people with septic tanks will have to pay a one-off fee of €50 from October 2012. The money will be used to pay local authority staff to inspect 440,000 septic tanks across the country to make sure they are working properly and not polluting water.
The inspection regime is being introduced because Ireland is under pressure to comply with a 2009 European Court of Justice ruling. Unless drinking-water supplies are protected, daily fines of €26,000 can be imposed.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan said: "The new regulations will deal with that judgment. It's essential we comply with that judgment and we protect groundwater," he said.
"We've seen over the years, particularly in Galway with the cryptospordium outbreak, that there is potential for groundwater to be contaminated by septic tanks. We don't want people buying bottled water," he said
"This will be a once-off charge.The only plan I have is for a registration charge in 2012. We'll look in 2014 to see if there's need for a waiver for low-income families."
From 2013, inspectors from local authorities will inspect septic tanks to ensure they comply with rules and standards to be agreed between the Government and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
If a tank does not meet the standards, it will be the responsibility of its owner to carry out work on it and cover the costs.
Homeowners who refuse to allow inspectors onto their land, or who fail to carry out the upgrading works, face the prospect of prosecution.
You can order the emptying and cleaning of you septic tank or treatment system online with Walsh Waste in Galway. As part of our service we also clean the drains between the septic tank and the house and also the percolation pipes.