Rural dwellers face septic tank charge

RURAL DWELLERS who receive a water supply from local authorities but maintain their own septic tanks are facing a “double whammy” in terms of water charges.

In addition to drinking water charges, which Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd said would be imposed when meters were installed in all households, those who have septic tanks will be required to have their waste systems regularly inspected, and maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.

It is expected that householders will have to bear this cost.

It is estimated that tens of thousands of houses in rural areas are supported by septic tanks that do not comply with EU regulations on waste water.

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan confirmed he is finalising measures to bring Ireland into line with EU partners after a 2009 European Court of Justice ruling that the State was in breach of the EU waste directive.

The European Court of Justice ruling specifically referred to the disposal of domestic waste waters in the countryside “through septic tanks and other individual waste water treatment systems”.

Mr Hogan said he would bring proposals “to address the judgment to Government very shortly”.

He said these “are likely to require owners or occupiers of premises utilising septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems to have their system inspected by a suitably qualified competent person to ensure that the system has been installed correctly and complies with prescribed standards of operation.

“I expect that it will also be a requirement that treatment systems be maintained and desludged in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.”

However, Ireland West MEP Marian Harkin said the requirement could become a “double whammy” for rural dwellers who would also be required to pay for water.

She said in cities and towns waste water treatment systems were paid for and maintained by the exchequer with significant EU aid.

“Let’s not have a situation where rural areas are treated any differently and where they are penalised because of where they live,” she said.

Ms Harkin said she accepted many septic tanks needed upgrading, “and have said that many times. Everyone wants clean waters”. She said: “It is wrong to ask people in rural areas to bear costs that urban people don’t have to bear.”

A departmental source said it was clearly the intention of the regulations that householders would be responsible for the cost of certification, whether that was carried out by local authorities or by private, suitably qualified experts.

The Water Services Amendment Bill providing for such changes is one of a number of Bills proposed in the Government’s legislative agenda.