Final day to register septic tanks
A boycott of the charge is being urged by the Campaign Against Household and Water Taxes.
Socialist councillor Ruth Coppinger said the grant being given by the government would not cover costs by most people. She urged the State to bring people into the public system or give them a 100 per cent grant. “We should continue the boycott until we get what’s needed….they can’t take 100,000 people to court” she said.
The fee results from a European Court of Justice ruling to regulate the installation and use of septic tanks.
The State was ordered to pay €2 million and a fine of €12,000 per day on December 19th because, the European Commission argued, poorly designed, located or maintained tanks were putting human health at risk due to the danger of pathogens entering drinking water.
A reduced €5 registration fee was available until the end of September but fewer than 40 per cent of septic tank owners availed of the lower rate. The fee is now €50. Registration can be done online at ProtectOurWater.ie, by post or through local authority offices.
According to the 2011 Census, there are 497,281 septic tanks and other on-site waste-water treatment systems in the State.
On-site waste water treatment systems registered as a percentage of total as of Wednesday January 30th
Dublin City Council 3%
South Dublin County Council 40%
Fingal County Council 43%
Limerick City Council 43%
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council 44%
Galway City Council 46%
Donegal County Council 50%
Louth County Council 51%
Monaghan County Council 55%
Waterford County Council 55%
Cork County Council 56%
Galway County Council 58%
Kildare County Council 59%
Waterford City Council 62%
Limerick County Council 63%
Meath County Council 64%
Wexford County Council 64%
Laois County Council 65%
Offaly County Council 66%
Carlow County Council 66%
South Tipperary County Council 66%
Kilkenny County Council 67%
Longford County Council 67%
Wicklow County Council 70%
Westmeath County Council 70%
Sligo County Council 71%
North Tipperary County Council 72%
Cork City Council 72%
Roscommon County Council 73%
Leitrim County Council 73%
Cavan County Council 73%
Mayo County Council 74%
Clare County Council 79%
Kerry County Council 91%
