Crunch time for owners of 440,000 septic tank systems

Katherine Ketch gets advice on the septic tank rules from Dr Eoghan Clifford of NUI Galway

The controversial Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 has passed all stages, and draft regulations are to be published next week.

Then, before finalising regulations, including requirements for maintenance and de-sludging of septic tanks, there will be a four-week period of public consultation.