Independent Councillor Paul Hogan has welcomed the increased allocation for domestic waste-water treatment systems from €5,000 to €12,000, but noted however that the welcome development has missed an opportunity to address the ‘elephant in the room’.
“Rural dwellers in Athlone are experiencing a major issue in this regard relating to the low number of septic tank inspections being conducted each year. An inspection by a member of Westmeath County Council is a qualifying criteria to avail of the increased grant and herein lies the problem.
“I welcome the increase in grant allocations from €5,000 to €12,000 for improvements to domestic waste-water treatment systems or septic tanks as they are commonly referred to. Until now, to meet the qualifying criteria for approval of grants. the domestic waste-water treatment system had to be registered with the local authority prior to February 1 2013, the waste-water treatment had to be inspected by a member Westmeath County Council staff and faults were identified with the current system
“I welcome the increased funding and the removal of the previous condition that the septic tank had to be registered with the local authority prior to February 1 2013. These changes will take effect from January 1 2024,” Cllr Hogan asserted.
Hogan stated that the “five or six” inspections per annum is not sufficient to meet the existing demand.
“However, the ‘elephant in the room’ is that Westmeath County Council only conduct a handful of inspections each year with respect to this grant. These five or six inspections per annum is not sufficient to deal with the demand of people requesting inspections on their septic tanks.This minimalistic approach will result in hundreds of faulty septic tank owners still not meeting the conditions to apply for the increased funding.
“These faulty septic tanks could have a devastating impact on our rivers, lakes and streams. It could also affect our water quality and cost the State more in the long-term. Therefore, it should be a priority for Government to address.
“I am once again calling on the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, to recognise this issue and provide an appropriate level of funding to local authorities to establish a plan, to conduct inspections on all faulty septic tanks in the county and provide resources to cater for this need on an annual basis,” Cllr Hogan concluded.
