40% of septic tank owners have yet to register

The deadline for registration of septic tanks is looming but one Corkman has revealed he registered twice due to an administrative error.

John Flavin, a retired sales rep from Carrigrohane near Cork City, paid for registration of his tank in September, along with his €5 fee. However, he received no acknowledgement so checked again earlier this month, only to be informed by Cork County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency that there was no record of payment or of having registered.

John, 69, then paid the new €50 fee — but on checking bank statements discovered that his original €5 cheque had been cashed last November.

The blunder comes as latest figures show almost 40% of septic tank owners have yet to register with just days to go before the Feb 1 deadline.

Anyone who fails to register their septic tank by this date faces fines of up to €5,000.

Mr Flavin said: “I don’t see how you can then ring in January and be told you haven’t registered.”

A spokesperson for the EPA said it hoped Mr Flavin’s case was a one-off. He has since been reimbursed his €50.