Question on septic tanks and government’s failure to fulfil ECJ commitments

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Updated: 24th January 2013

Question No . 181

Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil:
To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government:

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he has failed to fulfil the commitments made to the European Court in the judgement of 19 December 2012, C-374/11, specifically those referred to in paragraphs 34 and 41 of that judgement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Thomas Pringle.

For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 23rd January, 2013.

Ref No 3381/13

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan)

I n relation to the criteria that will apply for the grant scheme for remediation of septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems , and in relation to the position regarding the European Court of Justice ruli ng of 19 December, I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 438 , 448 and 449 of 22 January 2013.

Where a domestic waste water treatment system is found to be a risk to human health or the environment and remediation works are required, the selection of a contractor to carry out the works required will be a matter for the householder concerned. Due the wide variety of remediation works which could arise, and the number of trades and professions which could be involved , I have no plans t o establish a registration system for contractors involved in remediation works.

I have stated on numerous occasions that where remediation works arise as a result of an inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012, those works will be the most appropriate and cost-effective, based on the nature of the problem, the site size and the extent of the risk to human health or the environment. There is no question of any person being required to acquire additional land. H owever, h omeowners should be aware that section 3 of the Local Government ( Water Pollution ) Act 1977 provides that a person must not cause or permit any polluting matter to enter waters. Consequently, it is an offence to pipe untreated domestic wastewater directly into a drain or ditch.

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