Septic tank registration a con job, says TD McGrath
South Tipperary Independent TD Mattie McGrath said most rural residents were sceptical about the purpose of the registration fee.
His comments came as it emerged only 6% of households affected by the directive have registered their septic tanks.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan made registration compulsory in June. Anyone who has not registered before Sept 28 faces an increased €50 registration fee. At present, it costs just €5 to register the tank.
The 2011 census revealed there are more than 497,000 septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems in the country.
“If the local authorities wanted to find out who has tanks and who doesn’t, they can just look at the post-1964 register,” said Mr McGrath.
“After last year’s census, the local authorities have even more information on who has tanks.
“One local authority official had seen so much data that he could tell me that there are 80 householders in South Tipp who don’t have a septic tank at all. They’re the kind of people that don’t have running water, electricity or a regular toilet and are happy out.
“It is a con job, this registration process. The department just wants to bring in more money for the local authorities. People know that. I’ve also been getting calls from people who are concerned that every Tom, Dick, and Harry will be able to do the inspections. It’s a joke.”
The inspections will begin once the Department of the Environment’s registration process is completed at the end of Jan 2013.
There has been much opposition to the registration, as some people fear it could lead to upgrade costs of €3,000 to €15,000.
They also believe the legislation discriminates against rural Ireland, as people in urban areas avail of public water treatment facilities.
Yesterday, the department said septic tank inspectors would be hired using strict criteria.
The first areas to be targeted by the inspection teams are areas believed to be at high risk of ground water pollution due to inefficient waste water treatment.
Septic tank owners must ensure their tanks are working properly and do not cause a risk to human health or the environment.
