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Septic Tank Inspections

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Ceisteanna (371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 381)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

371. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 and the EPA's code of practice 2009 when those who live on land with poor draining soils, the options they have if they need to update their septic tank systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33073/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

372. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 and the EPA's code of practice 2009 if a house was built before septic tanks were required and is therefore without a septic tank system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33074/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

373. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 and the EPA's code of practice 2009, if homeowners must have their septic tank systems inspected because of the legislation; the standards in place for the inspectors; if there are set guidelines that inspectors must follow; if the inspectors will be from the local authority or will the homeowners have to spend the money to hire a private contractor to do the inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33075/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 and the EPA's code of practice 2009 where rural dwellers will have the inconvenience of not only paying for property tax and household charge but also septic tank system inspections and possibly upgrades; the way this is fair to rural dwellers; if there is a grant for those needing to upgrade their septic tank system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33076/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

375. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 and the EPA's code of practice 2009 where it was stated that existing dwellings or septic tank systems will not be forced to comply with the most up-to-date standard EPA code of practice 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33077/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

376. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in regard to the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 and the EPA's code of practice 2009, when those who fail inspections on their septic tank system but cannot upgrade their systems to meet standards, due to land restrictions, the standard that will be applied if they are near a lake or foreshore they may not have the land and space to upgrade their system according to standards; the steps that those homeowners can take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33078/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

381. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when persons may apply for grants for septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33161/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos . 371 to 376, inclusive, and 381 together.

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 requires owners of premises connected to domestic waste water treatment systems to operate and maintain their systems so as to ensure that those systems do not create a risk to human health or the environment. Domestic waste water treatment systems are defined in the Act and include all drains associated with the discharge of domestic waste water, whether or not they discharge to a septic tank or waste water tank. Irrespective of the age or type of system in place, if there is no evidence of risk to human health or the environment, no action will be necessary.

The Act also assigns responsibility to the Environmental Protection Agency to make a National Inspection Plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems. The National Inspection Plan 2013: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems was published by the EPA in February 2013. Details of the minimum number of inspections for each county are included in the Plan. It is the responsibility of the water services authorities to implement the Inspection Plan in their functional areas. There will be no charge for inspections.

The Local Authority Services National Training Group, in consultation with my Department, the EPA and the water services authorities, has overseen the development and delivery of a training course for the local authority officials who will carry out inspections under the 2012 Act. The EPA is responsible for appointing as inspectors the officials who have satisfactorily completed the training course and meet other qualification criteria regarding professional or technical qualifications and indemnity insurance cover.

Inspections will be objective, evidence-based and aimed at identifying systems which are a risk to public health or the environment. There is no question of applying new standards, for example those of the EPA’s 2009 Code of Practice, to older on-site systems, nor is there any question of a householder being directed to acquire additional land to facilitate remediation works. Where an inspection reveals a problem with a domestic waste water treatment system, issues such as existing site size, hydrological and geological conditions etc. will be considered so as to identify the most appropriate, pragmatic and cost-effective remediation works required. With regard to the grants scheme for remediation of domestic waste water treatment systems, I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 175 and 176 of 3 July 2013 which sets out the position.

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