Galway Site Design

Ireland is beholden to the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) which requires all Member States to protect and improve water quality in all waters so that we achieve good ecological status by 2027 at the latest. Because Ireland will be fined by the EU for not complying with the directive, I think, over the next couple of years there will be a huge ramping up of inspections by the Local Authority (LA) under the National Inspection Plan. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have introduced a new grant scheme for faulty septic tank systems that may affect water quality. You may be eligible for this grant in one of three ways: If an inspection by the Local Authority (LA) under the National Inspection Plan finds that there are problems with your wastewater system. The LA will inform you at the time of inspection of what you have to do next. If you live in a High Status Objective Catchment Area. These are areas where the water quality is excellent and needs protection or is failing to meet excellent quality and requires restoration. You can apply directly to your Local Authority for the grant. If LAWPRO catchment scientists identify that there is a water quality issue in a nearby river and we believe defective DWWTSs may cause or make the problem worse, they may provide you with a letter advising you what to do next. The grant is not means tested and covers 85% of eligible and pre-approved works (up to a maximum of €12,000). More grant details are available from the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage