The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides that income from the household charge is to be paid into the Local Government Fund. The proceeds from the household charge will be re-distributed on an equalised basis to local authorities within the context of the annual allocations of General Purpose Grants, ensuring that those local authorities with lower populations than others do not suffer unduly as a result. In this way, the proceeds from the household charge will go towards the provision of essential local services, including public parks, libraries, open spaces and leisure amenities, planning and development, fire and emergency services, maintenance and cleaning of streets and street lighting.
The Government has indicated its intention to commence the installation of water meters in households connected to public water supplies later in 2012. There are no plans to install meters in households that supply their own water.
The registration fee for septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems will be a once-off charge. Registration will be valid for 5 years and there will be no charge for re-registration. The national inspection plan, to be drawn up by the EPA, will form the basis for a risk-based inspection system which is to be implemented by the local authorities.
The basic standards to be met by all domestic waste water systems are set out in the new legislation and require systems, irrespective of age, not to cause a risk to public health or the environment. I will shortly be undertaking a public consultation process on draft guidance for the proper operation and maintenance of domestic waste water systems. A public information campaign regarding the new registration system will also take place.
I have stated on a number of occasions that I will keep under review the need to provide financial support to households whose systems are deemed, following inspection, to require substantial remediation. The need for any such support will be only become clearer when inspections are being carried out.