Issue with grants for septic tank repairs

AN issue has been highlighted where people who have problems with their septic tanks cannot access grants without having been subject to an inspection.

The plight of an elderly couple, whose tank will cost €8,000 to repair, and for whom there is no help available, was raised by Councillor Ger Deere at a meeting of Mayo County Council.

Councillor Deere said he has been receiving lots of queries from people whose septic tanks are leaking, but when they haven't been inspected they have no recourse to get a grant for repairs.

“We are going to have serious problems in a lot of our waterways,” he warned.

Director of services John Condon explained that to get a grant to upgrade, a tank first has to be inspected.

The criteria for carrying out inspections is not determined by the council. It depends on location and water quality in the catchment.

He suggested where councillors have issues that they provide the local authority with details and they will check to see if an inspection can be carried out.