Frustration growing over lack of access to septic tank grants

FRUSTRATATIONS are growing in Galway as access to septic tank improvement grants continues to be limited to specific parts of the county.

Those seeking to repair, upgrade or replace their septic tanks may be eligible for a grant which would cover up to 85 per cent of the costs of a new system, up to a maximum of €12,000.

However, this is not available to everyone. To gain access to the grant, a property must be within the National Inspection Plan, a Prioritised Area for Action, or a High-Status Objective Catchment Area.

These are locations where issues involving septic tanks could pose the highest threat to public health or environmental water quality.

“I’ve heard of people in Mountbellew who have purchased an old council house where the network built for sewage wouldn’t be as good as what would be installed today,” commented Moylough Cllr Michael Connolly during last week’s plenary meeting.

“Yet despite trying to carry out the necessary improvements, they have been unable to get any grants to help them. Any projects like this, people willing to carry out the works themselves, we should be doing all in our power to help them.”

This is not the first time the topic of septic tanks has been discussed in County Hall. Last year, on the advice of councillors, the executive wrote to Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan requesting the zoning be relaxed.

Director of Services for the Environment Eileen Ruane has also been pushing for the relaxation of zoning in recent months, seeking an engineer’s report be enough evidence to receive the grants.

“I agree with members that something needs to change. Our offices deal with people trying to make upgrades to their septic tanks on a daily basis,” remarked Ms Ruane.

“I would ask you to speak to your Oireachtas colleagues, suggest to them that the current zones are increased to include much more of the west of Ireland.”