Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the House and thank him for taking this matter on the Adjournment. I commend him for moving to implement this legislation as I know it has rested on successive Ministers' desks as a way of avoiding the enactment of it and complying with our EU obligations in this regard.

We all know that clean water is essential not only for our health and well-being but is a prerequisite for multinational companies who want to set up on these shores. Clean water is of paramount importance to the economy and our health. Given the existence of approximately 450,000 septic tanks and wastewater treatment systems, the Department and associated agencies have quite a large number to police. While registration is mandatory, could the Minister provide the House with an update as regards the most recent registration numbers of wastewater treatment systems under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012?

It is an unfortunate reality that many householders are struggling. In particular, there is a significant number of rural householders who face the possibility of having to spend thousands of euro upgrading their tanks while city dwellers do not face such charges. Not only is this an inequity, it is financially onerous on people living in rural areas in these recessionary times. I ask the Minister to earnestly consider providing financial support for low-income families for remediation works that may be necessary following an inspection under the Act.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Higgins for the opportunity to outline the position with regard to the registration of domestic wastewater treatment systems.

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 provided for the establishment of a new system for the registration and inspection of septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems. I made regulations in June setting out the procedures for householders to register details of their treatment systems with their water services authorities. The Local Government Management Agency developed an online registration facility, on a shared service basis for the 34 county and city councils, and the agency has also been tasked with managing a central bureau to process written applications accompanied by registration fees. Registration facilities have been available from 26 June 2012. In keeping with a previous commitment, I set the registration fee at ¤5 for the first three months of the registration period, up to 28 September this year, and the fee payable since that date is ¤50. The registration fees are intended to cover the costs to the water services authorities of administering the registers and managing the risk-based inspection system which will be implemented in 2013.

As of 10 December 2012, applications in respect of the on-site wastewater treatment systems of 241,000 owners, who have registered online, by post or in person at their local authority offices, have been processed. I understand that approximately a further 50,000 owners have submitted registration applications which have yet to be processed by the bureau operated by the Local Government Management Agency. This means that more than 290,000 owners have registered their systems. This compares with the almost 500,000 houses that are served by septic tanks or other on-site treatment systems that were recorded in Census 2011. Householders who have not yet registered have until 1 February 2013 to register their system. I would encourage each of them to register on time to ensure they are in compliance with the law. Registration can be done online, by post or at local authority offices.

I am very aware of the concerns that have been expressed and raised by Senator Higgins that some householders are concerned they may incur significant expense in repairing or upgrading their systems if they fail an inspection. I have stated on a number of occasions that I am prepared to consider all possible options to provide financial support to those householders whose wastewater treatment systems are deemed, following inspection under the new legislation, to require substantial remediation or upgrading. The provision of any financial support will have regard to the overall budgetary situation and to the financial position of the individual householders concerned. If we are introducing any financial support at some stage in the future, this support would be targeted as a last resort to people on low incomes who have been unable, due to their means, to facilitate a major improvement of their wastewater treatment system.

I remind the House that this legislation was introduced to ensure compliance with a European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland. It is important the legislation is fully implemented not just to comply with the court ruling but also to protect our very valuable water resources. Senator Higgins is correct to point out the importance of good quality water to householders, the agriculture and food industry and businesses generally.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for outlining the situation. I welcome the fact that 290,000 people have registered their septic tank or wastewater treatment system. It is also welcome to hear the Minister not ruling out the possibility of providing financial assistance to those whose tanks might fail a test.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to make it clear that if we are introducing a scheme of financial support, it will be on the basis that, arising from an inspection under the regulations outlined in the legislation or arising from the Water Services (Amendment) Act, the possible solution of a problem that might arise with a wastewater treatment system is to de-sludge. This is the solution that was found in Cavan. In 2004, Cavan County Council quite correctly identified that it had a very serious problem with pollution of its waterways and lakes. Some of it was due to difficulties with groundwater arising from leaks from septic tanks. The regulations that were enforced by Cavan County Council in 2004 showed that approximately 11% of the wastewater treatment systems failed following an inspection. I do not anticipate that there will be as many wastewater treatment systems as in Cavan County Council, but I accept there will be exceptional cases where, through nobody's fault, a substantial sum of money will have to be spent on remediation works. I am particularly conscious of that for low income families and people on social welfare. The most important matter as far as we are concerned is that people will register by 1 February 2013. If a person does not register, they will certainly not be considered for any grant assistance. Ultimately, I am anxious to ensure the systems are working properly, that groundwater is protected and that it is not a financial burden on anybody.