Rural householders must be helped with septic tank costs

Sir, The result of the introduction of legalisation by the Minister for Environment Community & Local Government, on foot of an EU Court ruling, requiring the registration and inspection of septic tanks is a major issue that is causing tremendous worry and concern to householders all over rural Kerry, as this will affect every single one-off house in our county.

There is widespread uncertainty and anger regarding the proposed scale of costs involved and the implications which may arise following these inspections on rural households, who are already financially strained to breaking point, with loss of employment, mortgage arrears, household charges, increased fuel costs and VAT, increased health and education cost etc.

To highlight the plight of rural home owners I tabled a motion at the December Council meeting: “That Kerry County Council request Minister Phil Hogan to provide grant aid to assist house owners where substantial works are required to upgrade septic tanks or percolation areas.” This received full council support and has been forwarded to the minister.

I agree that we must protect our rivers, lakes and groundwater but if the minister wants to succeed with this scheme in the current financial climate, threatening home owners with law, court and fines could lead to serious hostility and confrontation from rural communities, both locally and nationally.

A much better option would be to get the co-operation and goodwill of house owners. This is where grant aid would be a great asset – take for example the massive work done in improving water quality with the Farm Waste Management Scheme or the improvements undertaken with cavity wall and attic insulation and heating systems through the Sustainable Energy Ireland grant scheme.

Another very important point that I wish to make is that any remedial work that has to be undertaken following these inspections should be exempt from planning permission.

Since 1963, when people were granted planning permission by their local authority for a house with septic tank and soak pit or percolation area, and if they built it according to the specifications required at that time, then in any reasonable assessment they have fulfilled their legal requirements and should not now be faced with the possibility of prosecution.

I am appealing to Minister Hogan to recognise that people’s backs are to the wall financially, and there is a need to assist rural home owners who will be faced with substantial cost. Sincerely, Cllr Brendan Cronin Ballyhar, Killarney.