Only 1% of septic tanks likely to be inspected per year

Homeowners facing septic tank charges could escape being forced to upgrade their waste water systems, with inspectors investigating just 1% of properties with systems every year.

The Irish Examiner has learned that fewer than 5,000 properties with septic tanks and waste water systems are expected to be visited after the deadline for registration next February.

Homeowners with tanks have until Friday week to pay a discounted registration rate of €5, which will rise to €50 after that.

It is estimated that there are 497,281 septic tanks and other on-site waste-water treatment systems in the State, according to last year’s census. Letters were sent to homes this week warning of potential legal action if owners did not register systems with local authorities.

The local government chief overseeing the collection of the septic tank charges said that homeowners would also be given notice weeks ahead of inspections.

Tom Curran, chairman of the water committee of the City and County Managers’ Association, told the Irish Examiner: “You could be talking about 1% [of inspections] per annum. It’s down to how much one can achieve in any one year.”

This would amount to fewer than 5,000 properties nationally, Mr Curran acknowledged. Such a low inspection rate could allow non-payers of the inspection fee and tank owners to evade investigations and therefore any upgrades their systems may need.

Inspections will be coordinated with the Environmental Inspection Agency (EPA) but Mr Curran revealed that properties could be targeted for inspections even if not registered.

“If someone doesn’t register by March 2013, they don’t. That doesn’t prevent us working with the EPA and their inspection regime.

“They might decide there’s an area where they want to do a random sample of houses. We can go ahead and do that without having the person registered but we will identify names and addresses and give notice to be fair.”

The EPA said no figure for the rate of inspections was finalised yet. “It’s still completely fluid. We hope to have a full plan by the end of the year,” an official said.

The inspection regime is being introduced to satisfy a European court ruling against Ireland in 2009 and to protect water quality. Phil Hogan, the environment minister, says if measures are not taken, it could cost Ireland €26,000 a day in fines.

By the weekend, less than 10% of septic tank and waste water system owners were registered for inspections.

Cork County Council has the best rate of registration, with 4,261 tank owners.