[Sponge Bob]

Originally Posted by KTurtle

From what I've read, you're only going to be looking at having to upgrade if your system its not functioning or you're in what is considered a high risk area and the type of system you have is unsuitable.

Or UPSTREAM of a high risk area....eg the mouth of the Shannon.

[alfa beta]

I just find it annoying that even though I already have a 5-year contract in place with Bord na Mona requiring them to come out annually and inspect the wastewater treatment system they installed when we built our house (and that 5 year contract setting me back €400 but necessary as part of planning conditions), it now seems I have to register for someone else to come out and do exactly the same thing....

...you'd think with Bord na Mona being a semi-state and all that, that their inspections could simply be passed on to whoever the new gang of inspectors will be...dunno, seems a bit daft....

...soon I'll have more septic tank inspectors calling round than jehovah's witnesses....

[crusher000]

Originally Posted by alfa beta

I just find it annoying that even though I already have a 5-year contract in place with Bord na Mona requiring them to come out annually and inspect the wastewater treatment system they installed when we built our house (and that 5 year contract setting me back €400 but necessary as part of planning conditions), it now seems I have to register for someone else to come out and do exactly the same thing....

...you'd think with Bord na Mona being a semi-state and all that, that their inspections could simply be passed on to whoever the new gang of inspectors will be...dunno, seems a bit daft....

...soon I'll have more septic tank inspectors calling round than jehovah's witnesses....

It's not about enviroment or inspections it's about the money, money. Policies of all our governments are a joke. Fund raising is all they're at.

[Ellen Rose]

Perhaps someone can help me as I'm a little confused about this septic tank requirement.
Is this an EU requirement across all member states? If so why aren't other countries like UK & France implementing this?

Also could someone post the direct link to the EU directive please

[bbam]

I don't understand the problem people have with this...

If your neighbour was dumping bags of dirty nappies and waste along the road most people would be disgusted and up in arms, calling in the Garda and whoever to have it stopped or the person prosecuted...

For many systems, essentially the same thing is happening, just under the ground where you can't see it... Some systems are not working properly and discharging waste into the environment, day after day. This is pollution plain and simple, it needs to be identified and corrected. the interesting thing will what standards will be imposed on older systems..

[OssianSmyth]

Originally Posted by Ellen Rose

Perhaps someone can help me as I'm a little confused about this septic tank requirement.
Is this an EU requirement across all member states?

Yes

If so why aren't other countries like UK & France implementing this?

They are. In France you get registered and inspected by SPANC http://www.spanc.fr/page.php?action=...ue1&lg=fr&tp=h

In Scotland you go to The Scottish EPA http://apps.sepa.org.uk/WfdReg/pages/welcome.aspx

Also could someone post the direct link to the EU directive please

European Commission referral of Irish case to the ECJ http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleases...guiLanguage=en

Current waste directive:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/...03:0030:EN:PDF

The commission says we have been in breach of prior waste directives since 1993.

[OldNotWIse]

Originally Posted by murphaph

It's an EU directive we've (with the exception of Cavan CC) been ignoring for 20 years. We are facing fines for not implementing it.

The NCT is not a revenue raising exercise. They actually check things are in order with stadardised testing (better than the UK MoT). It was implemented at a time when no extra revenue was needed. It was implemented under pressure from the EU who had passed the directive years before. This is no different except that we are broke at the same time.

What about all themwho cut the bogs illegally in Roscommon? Look at all the money they are going to cost the state when the EU fines us for their actions

[OldNotWIse]

Originally Posted by alfa beta

...soon I'll have more septic tank inspectors calling round than jehovah's witnesses....

Ah but they wont be talking as much sh1te as the JW's

[recedite]

There are references earlier in this thread to whole towns in Ireland pumping raw sewage into rivers. There may also be septic tanks releasing small quantities of untreated or semi-treated effluent locally into the ground. The EU wants it all stopped.
The government responds by asking law abiding people to pay a registration fee if they have a septic tank.
Its a classic "displacement activity" ie what happens when you are asked to do a job that you think is too difficult, so you do something else just to make it look like you are doing something. But if Ireland Inc. manages to avoid being fined by the EU, then the scam will have worked.

[flutered]

the biggest polluters in the past few years have been both galway and limerick co.councils, if there were private indivudals they would have been before the courts, have any action been taken against the employees who are responsible for the above.

[Ellen Rose]

Originally Posted by OssianSmyth

Yes

They are. In France you get registered and inspected by SPANC http://www.spanc.fr/page.php?action=...ue1&lg=fr&tp=h

In Scotland you go to The Scottish EPA http://apps.sepa.org.uk/WfdReg/pages/welcome.aspx

European Commission referral of Irish case to the ECJ http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleases...guiLanguage=en

Current waste directive:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/...03:0030:EN:PDF

The commission says we have been in breach of prior waste directives since 1993.

Thank you for the information & link.

[Welease]

Originally Posted by bbam

I don't understand the problem people have with this...

If your neighbour was dumping bags of dirty nappies and waste along the road most people would be disgusted and up in arms, calling in the Garda and whoever to have it stopped or the person prosecuted...

For many systems, essentially the same thing is happening, just under the ground where you can't see it... Some systems are not working properly and discharging waste into the environment, day after day. This is pollution plain and simple, it needs to be identified and corrected. the interesting thing will what standards will be imposed on older systems..

The issue for many people is the manner in which pollution is being addressed..

According to the media/reports (which depending on source will have their own agenda) septic tanks account for around 7% of water quality deterioration, Inadequate municipal systems account for about 30%, with Industial effluent accounting for around 10%..

So for many.. questions such as why are we primarily focussed on the the smallest primary area of pollution first? Will those connected to municipal systems have to pay for their own remedy (and will their response of it needs to be tackled at the owners/users cost continue to be the solution they propose when suddently they are being asked to pay the bill).. Why are municipal systems not being addressed in the same manner? etc etc..

As you say.. I am not happy for my neighbour to dump effluent into the land.. but that applies to all neighbours.. not just the ones with septic tanks.. and in fairness to those with septic tanks there should be an equitable system of payment for those services across both municipal and unconnected systems.

(I personally don't have an issue with the system or requiring payment for those services.. once those payments fund a system that makes sense in a cost effective & environmental manner..)

[GCU Flexible Demeanour]

Originally Posted by Welease

The issue for many people is the manner in which pollution is being addressed.

I’m not sure it is. Some rural dwellers sound like they are perfectly happy for pollution to continue – they’re not really demanding that everyone cleans up their act. The campaign is really just about the fact of a charge – and the prospect of having to replace inadequate systems.

Originally Posted by Welease

in fairness to those with septic tanks there should be an equitable system of payment for those services across both municipal and unconnected systems.

What do you mean by “equitable system of payment”? I’d take it that the cost of a municipal system, per head, is much lower than the cost of stand-alone systems. Presumably, given the complications and risks, it’s at least arguable that people who don’t want to live where they can connect to the municipal system should have to pay through the nose.

[Black Smoke]

[QUOTE=GCU Flexible Demeanour;81051097]I’m not sure it is. Some rural dwellers sound like they are perfectly happy for pollution to continue – they’re not really demanding that everyone cleans up their act. The campaign is really just about the fact of a charge – and the prospect of having to replace inadequate systems.What do you mean by “equitable system of payment”? I’d take it that the cost of a municipal system, per head, is much lower than the cost of stand-alone systems. Presumably, given the complications and risks, it’s at least arguable that people who don’t want to live where they can connect to the municipal system should have to pay through the nose.[/QUOTE]

What a statement Farmers, who were born and reared on the farm, and continue to live there, and hopefully pass it on to the next generation, in your mind, just stubbornly refuse to up sticks, and live in the next village, which is connected to the municipal system. That's the D4 kind of thinking, which sows the sees of dissent, against these "revenue gathering", charges, dressed up as "green, environmental measures"

[Welease]

Originally Posted by GCU Flexible Demeanour

I’m not sure it is. Some rural dwellers sound like they are perfectly happy for pollution to continue – they’re not really demanding that everyone cleans up their act. The campaign is really just about the fact of a charge – and the prospect of having to replace inadequate systems..

There is likely an element of people that fall into each and every camp..

Originally Posted by GCU Flexible Demeanour

What do you mean by “equitable system of payment”? I’d take it that the cost of a municipal system, per head, is much lower than the cost of stand-alone systems. Presumably, given the complications and risks, it’s at least arguable that people who don’t want to live where they can connect to the municipal system should have to pay through the nose.

I'm not sure the point you are trying to make..

Those who are unconnected systems already pay the full and total cost of their systems for the existance of the system but thats not the point I am making... The new charges for checking/administration can be borne by the owners, but given the €5 initial cost its likely that the council will be bearing a considerable cost of providing the service (people can argue if thats fair/unfair to owners/council etc as part of a discussion on an equitable payment system).. If we aim to minimise pollution then a similar system should be implemented for municipal/industrial etc. systems.. and a similar equitable payment system should be implemented. As to what form that payment system should take.. well thats open to discussion and much like the pollution element, I'm sure there will be 1000's of differing opinions.