This article is from page 16 of the 2012-01-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
FIGURES from Clare County Council show that approximately 31,000 septic tanks in the county could face inspection under new water services laws.
A countywide breakdown shows that the highest number of septic tanks are located in the River Fergus catchment area (11,700). There are 8,400 in the West Clare area, 7,600 in the Lough Derg area and 3,400 in South Clare.
The figures, which were taken from the Water Framework Directive Reports, were presented at a special meeting of Clare County Council on Wednesday.
The Water Services (Amendment) Bill is currently being debated in the houses of the Oireachtais. It is expected to be enacted in 2013.
Households that have septic tanks will have to pay a € 50 five-year registration fee. Concern has been raised about the impact of the Bill, with critics claiming that householders will be forced to spend thousands of euros to upgrade septic tanks.
In a report to councillors, Paul Mo- roney, Senior Engineer Environment, outlined the main aspects of the Bill. He stated that the “principal requirement of the proposed legislation is that the owner of a septic tank is required to maintain and operate their septic tank in a manner that does not cause risk to human health or the environment.”
He added, “This requirement is in the best interest of preserving the existing environment and is consistent with the approach in other environmental legislation.”
Mr Moroney explained that under the proposed new bill, the council would be required to establish and maintain a detailed register of septic tanks located in its functional area. Owners of septic tanks will be required to register them with the local authority. The certificate will be valid for a period of five years.
Mr Morney stated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with appointing inspectors and establishing and maintaining a register of septic tank inspectors.
On the powers of EPA inspectors, Mr Moroney explained, “Inspectors will have the power to examine, take samples, take photographs, examine sub-soil, obtain information and inspect records of maintenance servicing or operation of a septic tank. An inspector may not enter premises without the permission of the occupier.”
Mr Moroney continued, “Once notification of an inspection has been provided by a local authority it will be an offence for a person to prevent an inspector from entering a premises, obstruct or impede the inspector or provide false or misleading information to an inspector.”
If the EPA finds that a septic tank is “causing or is likely to cause a risk to human health or the environment” they are required to issue an advisory notice to the owner.
A person who does not agree with the results of the first inspection can request a re-inspection at a fee not exceeding € 200. A person who does not agree with an advisory notice issued after the re-inspection can appeal the notice to the District Court.
Mr Moroney added that it will be an offence for the council not to comply with directions from the EPA.
He told the meeting that the new legislation would apply to all domestic wastewater treatment systems.