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
THE products used to keep toilets clean and germ free could be doing more harm than good.
That’s according to one county councillor who has taken aim at cleaning products such as Toilet Duck and Domestos.
Independent councillor PJ Ryan told a special meeting of Clare County Council on Wednesday that chemicals are causing damage to septic tanks.
Cllr Ryan (Ind) was speaking during a debate on new water services legislation that will require homeowners to register their septic tanks with Clare County Council.
Concern has also been expressed that many homeowners will not be able to meet the cost of upgrading septic tanks that fail inspections.
Cllr Ryan criticised the new Bill saying it is being “rushed through” and describing it as a revenue collecting exercise.
However he added that the “biggest problem with septic tanks is that there are too much chemicals going into them”. He explained that chemicals contained in cleaning products are killing bacteria that ensure the smooth running of the septic tanks system.
Cllr Ryan said, “This all happened since people got it into their heads that they must have a perfectly clean loo.”
He said that while homeowners will be hit by the new legislation, “these people that are producing the chemicals don’t seem to be called in at all.”
He added, “We’d be far better of spending money educating people rather than penalising them.”
Paul Moroney, Senior Engineer with the council’s Environment de partment, told the meeting that there are “reasonably stringent” European laws exist regarding cleaning products. He said chemicals couldn’t contain elevated levels of phosphates.
Concern was also expressed that homes in the west of Ireland will fall foul of the new regulations due to poor soil quality in the region.
Mr Moroney acknowledged that soil quality could present “significant challenges” in areas of East and West Clare. He said soil percolation problems may also emerge in limestone areas of the county.