The revelation in the past week, by the EPA, that those who have not registered their septic tanks are those most likely to be inspected exposes the septic tank debacle as nothing more than a rural tax according to Sinn Féin Councillor Rose Conway-Walsh.
“We have continually been told that only those septic tanks that are likely to pose a risk to water supply will be inspected now we know that this is not the case. We are also told that inspections will not be based on the EPA 2010 regulations, yet we cannot get clarity on the criteria to be used. It is not good enough to ask homeowners to have blind faith in the process involved.”
Speaking after the figures were released that only half of septic tank owners have registered Cllr. Conway-Walsh said: “Home owners are not registering for two main reasons, firstly, because they believe this is an unfair and unjust tax on rural households and secondly because they are afraid of the cost involved in carrying our remedial works. Minister Hogan can easily alleviate this fear by putting in place grant aid to support households that need work done on their septic tanks and percolation areas.
“Sinn Féin has continuously called on the Government to put this funding in place. It is not too late to turn this debacle into a positive progressive programme. Grant aid will not only incentivise households to register their septic tanks, it will create jobs in rural areas and ensure that our water is protected. Once again we appeal to our Government TDs in the county to listen and use some common sense in dealing with the septic tank issue.”
