Hogan announces free septic tank inspections for next year

The Environment Minister Phil Hogan has confirmed that the inspections of septic tanks by council officials will begin next spring and it will be free of charge.

Mr Hogan said the inspection scheme has yet to be designed, but it will be risk-based rather than an investigation of every tank in the country.

Householders with a tank are being asked to register it for a fee of €5 until the end of September - increasing to €50 after that.

Householders can register with their local authority from this evening and they have until February 1 of next year to sign up.

Minister Hogan said the move is to ensure a higher standard of waste disposal.