Domestic Septic Tanks

Domestic Septic Tanks

Septic tank registration, guidelines for inspections, grant applications and information for owners

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 provided for the introduction of a registration and national inspection system for domestic waste water treatment systems (septic tanks).

The key objectives are:

  • To enhance and protect public health and the environment which will, in turn, benefit rural dwellers in terms of a better quality of life and better quality water.
  • To protect our environment. This will also have positive economic benefits for the tourism, recreation, agricultural and food-producing sectors, all of which rely on clean water.

 

Information for Owners of Domestic Waste-Water Treatments Systems (DWWTS):

  • You need to know where your septic tank is located.
  • You need to operate and maintain the system so it is fit for purpose and fully operational.
  • The system can not pollute the environment by discharging/leaking waste anywhere it is not suppose to ie. into the ground or any water source.
  • Roof water or surface water run-off can not enter a domestic waste water treatment system.
  • The system should be de-sludged at intervals appropriate to the tank capacity and the number of persons resident in the premises connected to it or as recommended by the system’s manufacturer.

 

Guidelines on Inspections:

  • All such inspections in County Meath will be carried out by trained inspection staff from Meath County Council.
  • Dwellings due for inspection under the National Inspection Plan will be notified directly in writing by Meath County Council in advance of the inspection taking place. However, it is also advisable to seek proof of identity from any person seeking to carry out any inspection at your property.
  • The Act requires water services authorities to maintain a register of domestic waste water treatment systems in their functional areas.

  • Owners of domestic waste water treatment systems are required to ensure that their systems are on the register. Your registration will contribute to the protection of Ireland's ground and surface waters.

     

Will my septic tank be inspected?

Meath’s septic tanks are inspected by Meath County Council. 

Chosen properties are notified in writing before an inspection.

Read more at https://www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/waste-water/2022-2026-NIP---Final.pdf

 

Septic Tank Registration

Owners of domestic wastewater treatment systems are required to ensure their systems are registered.

The septic tank registration form can be downloaded below:

For more information and to Register online go to https://www.protectourwater.ie/

Further information also available at: http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/info/

 

Maintaining / Desludging your Tank

Get an authorised operator to desludge your system every 1 to 5 years.

Use “Quick Search” on the NWCPO website to find registered septic tank desludging operators in #Meath: https://www.nwcpo.ie/permitsearch.aspx

 

Is your Septic Tank working properly?

  • Faulty septic tank systems are a risk to human & animal health & the environment.
  • Ensure you know where your septic tank is.
  • Ensure that it is well operated and maintained.

Learn more at https://www.epa.ie/take-action/in-the-home/wastewater/#d.en.85772

 

Is your Septic Tank Winter Ready?

  • Check for common issues such as ponding, lush grass, pipes to ditches and tanks full of sludge.
  • Ensure all grey waters are piped to your septic tank.
  • Ensure all clean roof water is diverted away.
  • Check for blockages.
  • Make sure lids are watertight to stop water ingress into tank.
  • Missing or faulty lids pose a risk to human and animal health.

Learn more at https://www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/waste-water/SS-Septic-Web.pdf

Grant Applications for Septic Tanks

S.I. No. 184 of 2020 has now been revised with the publication of the Housing (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) Financial Assistance) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 562 of 2023).

The revised Regulations provide that, subject to all eligibility criteria being met, Meath County Council may pay a grant to a person for the carrying out of remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or replacement of a DWWTS that is deemed, following an inspection by a Meath County Council Inspector, to require such works.

The changes to the terms and conditions of the three grant schemes are:

  1. Increase the maximum grant available to €12,000 from €5,000
  2. Remove the eligibility requirement for householders to have registered the DWWTS with their local authority before 1st February 2013

Grants are available under the following schemes:

  • Grants for DWWTS (National Inspection Plan)
  • Grants for DWWTS (Prioritised Areas for Action under the RBMP)
  • Grants for DWWTS (High Status Objective Catchment Areas under the RBMP)

 However, there are restrictions on eligibility under each scheme. 
 

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a National Inspection Plan to help identify domestic waste water treatment systems that are not meeting the expected standard. The treatment system must have been inspected under this inspection plan and an advisory notice issued by the local authority under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. ;

or

  • The treatment system serves a house that is situated in a Prioritised Area for Action in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021, and a letter has been issued by the Local Authority Waters Programme Office on behalf of the relevant local authority, confirming eligibility to apply.

or 

In all of the above grant schemes the following criteria apply:

  • Grants will not be paid towards the normal costs of ensuring a system is working properly e.g. maintaining, servicing or de-sludging a domestic waste water treatment system.

Find out more @

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks/

 

Grant Applications & Terms & Conditions