Final Day for registrations of DOMESTIC waste water treatment systems (including septic tanks) to avail of the reduced fee of €5 before September 28TH
By protecting our water, we protect our environment, our health and our jobs
Today (28th September) is the last day for registration of the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (including septic tanks) for the reduced fee of €5. An estimated 186,331 registrations have been submitted as of this morning and it is estimated this figure will reach 200,000 by the end of the day. Owners are reminded that they have until midnight tonight to register and pay the reduced €5 fee online at www.protectourwater.ie. Payment can also be made at local authority offices throughout the day. Protect Our Water Project Board Chair, Mr. Tom Curran says “I want to remind people they can only avail of the reduced registration fee of €5 until midnight tonight, after that date it will cost €50. I would encourage people to avail of this reduced fee and to pay at their local authority offices, online at www.protetourwater.ie or by sending an application form to PO Box 12204, Dublin 7. Application forms can be collected at local authority offices, in public libraries and Citizens Information Centres. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank those owners who have registered their system and paid to date.”
The registration fee is only €5 until midnight tonight which will then increase to €50 for those who register after 28th September. Registration needs to be made before the 1st February 2013. Owners will need to renew their registration every five years, at no cost.
How to register?
You can register and pay as follows:
- Online at www.protectourwater.ie
- In person at your Local Authority Office where payment can be made by cash, cheque, money order or debit / credit card
- By post - application forms can be collected at local authority offices, in public libraries and Citizens Information Centres and sent by post with the registration fee to Protect Our Water, PO Box 12204, Dublin 7. Please DO NOT send cash by post.
Background:
The Water Services (amendment) Act 2012 introduced a new registration and inspection system for septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems in Ireland.
Registration will be valid for five years and there will be no charge for re-registration. It is intended that the revenue raised will be used by the water services authorities to manage the registers and to meet the cost of having inspections carried out. There will be no inspection charges for households. All owners of premises connected to a domestic wastewater treatment system are required to register their systems by 1 February 2013.
How to tell if there is a problem with your system?
Some of the signs that your system may not be operating correctly are:
- There are foul odours around the system or the percolation area;
- There is an excessive amount of vegetation growing in the percolation area;
- The area around the system or percolation area is soggy;
- Your drains or toilets are running slowly or overflowing.
Inspections:
Having a register of domestic water treatment systems and septic tanks enables inspections to check that systems are working properly so that water – ground, surface and drinking water - can be protected from the risks posed by malfunctioning systems. This initiative will ultimately enhance and protect public health and the environment which will, in turn, benefit rural dwellers in terms of a better quality of life and improved water quality.
It will be a matter for the EPA to determine the level of inspections that will be required. However, as it is to be a risk-based scheme, not every system will be inspected. In developing the inspection plan, the EPA will consider many factors, including proximity to rivers, lakes and streams (particularly drinking water sources).
Important message regarding inspections:
Inspections under the new system will commence in 2013. The commencement of inspections will be publicised in the national and local media. People should take care not to allow uninvited persons, or persons claiming to be inspectors, to enter onto their property in advance of the launch of inspections. People will be formally notified by their local authority if their domestic waste water treatment system is to be inspected. Inspectors will be required to carry identification and you should ask for this to be presented to you.
Contact: Paula Butler, LGMA, 01-6438400 pbutler@lgma.ie