Indeed I would be sceptical of Fianna Fáil when it comes to septic tanks.

The corruption of fianna fail has ruined us for years,fine gael have a job on their hands now, especially while trying to carry them on there back now.

“This will unfairly impact the 400,000 septic tank owners in Ireland”, none of this would be unfair if it had been completed when the money was available and the grants had been recieved for it.

The majority of the Local Authorities had a FF majority on their councils when most of the ‘one off’ septic tank (private treatment system) serviced dwellings were granted planning permission. While the required standard tests for water table level and soil percolation rates were often ineffectively carried out and in a lot of cases ‘doctored’, many planning applications were also approved because pressure exerted on Local Authority planners and environmental health inspectors by FF councilors on behalf of their constituents against the recommendations of the these experts.
This is yet another example of FF complaining from opposition about a situation created by their own crony parochialism (and race course tent donations!) and the unfair measures now being saddled onto the public to attempt a ‘solution’ to the problem.

The Septic Tank Party.

Well noted! I can’t understand how Ireland managed NOT to do so?! Do people not understand the importance of pollution? Do they want to be drinking and bathing in their own crap in future if no action is taken… I also believe the country pays a lot of money to EU for the fines, because Ireland does not meet the regulations and pollutes the environment!

I have no problem with the inspection taking place, what I do take exception to is being charged for the privilege. When you look at waste management in this country, rural dwellers tax is being used to pay for the system’s upkeep in urban areas which is of no benefit to them. Fair enough, that’s logistics, can’t be helped. The Local Authority then decides which kind of systems those living in rural areas must use. Again, no problem with this per-say. These systems cost a pretty penny, up on €3,000 in a lot of cases. Now on top of that, the government want to lump on another €50 (initially, who knows what that will rise to over time) to inspect the very system that another branch of government insisted on you buying in the first place. By all means Phil Hogan, come and have a look……but you’re the one picking up the tab for it! This is a case of drawing a line in the sand and saying “NO More”. On this very issue alone, rural dwellers are getting fleeced. (Not to mention the many others)

Totally agree Eoin. We’re being punished for living in the countryside. Most of us already had to pay for the current septic tanks in place when we moved into our homes. People can’t possibly afford any more ‘taxes’. Why should people in the cities not have to pay a penny for their waste treatment while people in the countryside are left with crippling costs. It simply isn’t fair? Why should we be valued less for living in a rural area..is every person not entitled to fair treatment regardless of their location?

They say the new 100 euro property tax is going towards local services such as street lighting, upkeep of public parks, road maintenance ect – well that’s not the case if you live in a rural area – there are no services and most of us have taken to maintaining our own roads as the government have left them in such a state. Why not use the 100 euro there snatching of us to maintain and upgrade sceptic tanks in rural areas?

Well said !

No return except cleaner drinking water and a cleaner environment?

EMD. I don’t believe for one second this charge will result in either of those. This is nothing short of a money grabbing exercise.

The majority of septic tank owners and i’m not trying to be funny are very careful what they let down their sinks and toilets.We know what damage chemicals can do to systems.Same goes to other items nappies etc.The same cannot be said urban sewer systems.

Because my bum doesn’t crap into a septic tank which I own and am responsible for maintaining. Do you want to drink shite in your water?

If you believe this legislation is actually capable of doing anything useful, such as clean up our drinking water, you are just not paying attention.

Brian if you want to check the facts Councils also are big pollutors.When planing premission is sought the type of sewerage system is specified by the council.Now the state is saying the systems in place could be wrong.But people installed systems to the specs insisted on by the planing authority

How do you define a tax Auntie Dote?

Michael
Septic tank owner…

I think you are missing the point. The majority of the problem is that we have thousands of homes that are mainly “one off” and unsustainable from an environmental point of view. They can’t continue to put their “crap” down a hole out the back and expect to have no ramifications on the world outside their back yard. Urban water/sewage systems cost money (and many are in no fit state either) but at least they are sustainable.

You can’t call this a tax. It’s a charge. And many of these “waste solutions” is not self financed enough.

Quite so Brian. With the likes of Matty McGrath and that clown sitting on a toilet in Galway leading on this issue, one might be forgiven for thinking there are more important things to worry us. As for the crap about upgrades costing up to €10,000. A whole new system including plumbing and percolation area would cost half that. Oh the hyperbole…

The sewage systems managed by Local authorities are subject to inspection and relicensing and because many are in poor condition, operating in excess of their capabilities and in some cases polluting they are now struggling to meet legislative requirements. I’d happily pay €50 extra a year direct to my council to go towards improving the treatment systems. However, living in the country with your own system means you have chosen to live in an area not serviced by group schemes and therefore as part of your choice you become responsible for the septic tank and for ensuring it is not polluting.

Nobody has denied it is the owners responsibility to ensure their septic tanks are operating correctly, we can carry that task out without any 3rd party looking over our shoulders and charging us for the privilege.

If you feel so strongly on the matter I suggest you lobby your local council and request they take the €50 off you.