Under the Water Services Act, 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares a National Inspection Plan requiring local authorities to conduct inspections of domestic waste water treatment systems across three mapped zones, determined by the EPA.
The EPA also determines the criteria for the selection of sites, based for example on the proximity of drinking water wells, other properties and surface water features etc.
Limerick City & County Council staff are required to analyse mapping data to select properties in advance for each annual inspection programme, in accordance with the EPA requirements and to submit data returned from each inspection to the EPA accordingly.
When an inspection is undertaken and deficiencies are identified, the householder is served with an Advisory Notice under Part 4A of the Water Services Act, 2007 by the Council, prescribing the remedial works required and the deadline for completion.
When such works are complete, the Council then undertakes a verification inspection and if satisfactory, a Notice of Compliance is issued to the householder, who subject to certain criteria, is then eligible to apply for grant aid but only for certain works. Costs associated with routine maintenance and servicing of a treatment system (e.g. de-sludging) do not qualify for grant aid.
Householders seeking grant assistance towards costs associated with works required under grants of planning permission should note that this scheme does not extend to such works.
People who qualify for the grant can apply for 85% of the cost of the work up to a maximum of €12,000. On 1st January, 2024, the maximum pay out available through the grant scheme was increased from €5,000 to €12,000.
Furthermore, considering the requirements outlined above and the potential risk of distorting the data that is submitted to the EPA, we are unable to include a property for inspection based solely on a request from an individual householder. Inspections are only carried out when they meet specific guidelines, and requests from householders do not automatically qualify a property for assessment.
Finally, please note also that any modification to, or replacement of, a domestic waste water treatment system may require planning permission.
Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Grant under the National Inspection Plan documents:
Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Grant for Houses in Prioritised Areas for Action documents:
Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Grant for Houses in High Status Objective Catchment Areas documents: