Anger over proposed septic tank charges

Local people faced with the possibility of having to pay out thousands of euro to upgrade their septic tanks were out in force last Thursday when Fianna Fáil's spokesman on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon " Cuiv addressed a meeting in Mount Temple hall to talk about the proposed Septic Tank Bill, which is currently going through the houses of the Oireachtas. The meeting, which was organised by Fianna Fáil Cllr Frankie Keena, opened with a presentation from consulting engineer John McGrath of MMKDA Consulting Engineers in Athlone. Mr McGrath said the bill contained various elements but he was going to talk solely on its impact on homeowners. He explained that it would cover all equipment that deals with waste water, which includes the pipes leading to and from the house. The legislation is to be introduced on the back of an EU directive dating back to 1993 which Ireland has failed to comply with. If introduced, the legislation would allow an inspector to come onto the person's land to inspect the tank and all equipment. Mr McGrath explained that the inspector would need the consent of the landowner but if this was not forthcoming in a reasonable length of time the inspector could get an enforcement order. He explained that bill requires that all septic tanks be registered at a cost of €50 to the homeowner and the Government expects this to generate about €110m, with a maximum fine of €5,000 for not registering your tank. Mr McGrath said that up until 1970 there weren't strict guidelines on septic tanks and so ones built then would not be of the same standard as ones built in recent years. He told the crowd gathered in the community hall that an inspection would cost about €200, while the installation of a new system could cost up to €15,000, which he said was a conservative estimate. The mention of such figures caused a stir in the crowd as people heard what they may have to pay out to bring their system up to standard. Deputy Eamon " Cuiv told the crowd that the registration system had to be introduced. He said he didn't have a problem with the Government introducing legislation on the issue, but he believed the bill as it stood left a lot of questions to be answered and there were issues that needed to be ironed out. "Anyone on a public sewer has had huge money spent on their systems, but those out the country haven't," he said. He said the biggest concern was not having to register, but the possible charges and fees that could come down the line. Deputy " Cuiv said the legislation would allow the Minister for the Environment to introduce regulation regarding the maintenance of wastewater systems. "I want to know how often they're going to tell you that you have to clean out your tank, that could be €200 a go. I want to see the rules before we buy the deal," he said. He said his biggest worry was about the standards people would have to conform to and he wanted to know this from the Minister and also from Brussels. "I'm afraid An Taisce will go over (to Brussels) and say that we all have to upgrade to the highest standard. Who will pay for it? The ordinary punter can't afford it," said Deputy " Cuiv. Deputy " Cuiv said: "The final thing is the money issue. The State will spend over the next five years €1.5bn between now and 2016 on water and wastewater and my belief is that because this problem is here and because rural people have never got one dime towards their systems you should get 85% for the maintenance and also for any upgrade." He said 10% of the €1.5bn, or €150m, should be put aside for rural waste water systems. "Urban systems were all put in virtually for free so I don't think it's unreasonable that those of us in rural Ireland should get access to State funds," said Deputy " Cuiv. A lively question and answer session followed the two talks with Deputy " Cuiv being asked if he would pay if the legislation was introduced. "We agreed in Connemara that we wouldn't pay. If they go to jail, I'll go to jail," he told the crowded room. John McNamara, a chartered engineer from Ardnagrath and member of Sinn Fein in Longford/Westmeath asked why county Cavan had complied with the registration requirement in the 1990s while the rest of the country had not and asked if Cavan would be exempt from this. Deputy " Cuiv said Cavan County Council would be exempt from the fine, but not from the legislation. "If it was only the registration it wouldn't be a problem," he told Mr McNamara. "It's the inspection system. We have the most pro-active NGOs and ecological organisations of any country in Europe. It's that the regulation that bothers me, it's the inspections and the consequences that follow." A number of people asked why homeowners have to pay to register their septic tanks when all the records should be available with planning files. Deputy " Cuiv said there was no way the Government could get out of the registration system, but said he didn't know why they were charging €50 as it could be done for free. "That's what makes me suspicious about the charges. When you introduce any charge it only goes one way," he said. Michael O'Brien, a local member of Fianna Fáil, queried why there were no Government representatives present at the meeting. Eddie Seery from Kilbeggan, who said he was an engineering student and a member of Sinn Féin, said he found himself in the unusual position of agreeing with Deputy " Cuiv on a number of points, but asked the deputy where he had gotten the arbitrary figure of 85% from when he suggested that the Government could cover 85% of the cost and asked why not cover the full cost. Deputy " Cuiv replied: "It would be easy for me to say 100% and great if we can get it but the 85% is based on the Group Water Scheme and that's something on which to base your argument. The reality is that if there is a chance of getting 85% or asking for 100% and getting nothing I feel 85% is better. If Sinn Féin can get 100% I'd clap you on the back and say well done." As the meeting drew to a conclusion local Fianna Fáil Deputy Robert Troy addressed the crowd and urged them to contact their local Government representatives to let them know their feelings on the bill.