Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his definition of a working septic tank; if he will define standard of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3957/12]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person pays €50 to register their septic tank if they will have to pay another fee at any time in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3961/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 458 and 459 together.

The Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 sets out the duties for owners of domestic wastewater treatment systems including septic tanks. The Bill requires an owner of such a system to ensure that it does not constitute, or is not likely to constitute, a risk to human health or the environment and, in particular, that it does not create a risk to water, air or soil, or to plants and animals, create a nuisance through noise or odours, or adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest.

It is my intention, following the enactment of the legislation, to carry out a public consultation on draft performance standards for domestic wastewater treatment systems which will be prepared by my Department in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency. The Bill also provides that householders must register details of their wastewater treatment systems on a national register and that a fee of no more than €50 will be charged for registration. Registration will be valid for a period of 5 years and there are no plans to introduce any further registration charges or an inspection charge.