The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) has developed a central online registration system and will manage the system on a shared-service basis for the water services authorities, including Clare County Council.
All septic tanks and other types of treatment and disposal systems for domestic waste water should be registered not later than 1st February 2013. Registration payments received by 28th September will be subject to a €5 fee with the registration fee increasing to €50 thereafter up to 1 February.
“Under the Act, owners of domestic waste water treatment systems are required to ensure that their systems are on the register,” explained Mr. Paul Moroney, Senior Engineer, Clare County Council.
Mr. Moroney added: “Domestic wastewater treatment systems include all septic tanks, waste water tanks and treatment systems receiving, storing, treating or disposing of domestic waste water. It also includes all fittings and percolation areas associated with such tanks and systems and drains used to discharge waste water from a premises, whether or not a receiving tank is present.”
He continued: “The Environmental Protection Agency is developing a National Inspection Plan. The Agency will use a risk-based approach in developing the plan. No decisions have been made regarding the numbers or locations of inspections to be carried out, or the risk-based criteria to be used when targeting those inspections. Inspections under the new legislation will not commence until 2013 and the commencement of inspections will be publicised in the national and local media.”
Mr. Moroney explained that the registration fee is intended to cover the costs of administration by the water services authorities and risk-based inspections.
“You should take care not to allow uninvited persons, or persons claiming to be septic tank inspectors, to enter onto your property in advance of the launch of inspections. You will be formally notified by your water services authority if your domestic wastewater treatment system is to be inspected. Inspectors will be required to carry identification and you should ask for this to be presented to you,” he concluded.
The charge can be paid online by credit/debit card at www.protectourwater.ie or by cheque/Postal Order/Bank Drafts at a local authority office. Registration forms may be obtained from public libraries, citizen information centres, Aras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, and at the following area offices: Kilrush, Shannon, Ennistymon, Scariff, Ennis and South East Clare. For further information contact or Lo Call 1890 800 800 or visit www.protectourwater.ie.
