Cllr welcomes increase in septic tanks grants for Donegal households

A major increase in septic tank grants, has been welcomed by Cllr Micheál Naughton, who said it was a welcome follow up t p a motion that he had brought to council in June. 
 
Cllr Naughton said that grants available for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (commonly known as Septic Tanks) will be increased to €12,000 from €5,000. 

He had previously raised the issue a number of times at Donegal Municipal District level and the full plenary sessions of Donegal County Council. 
  
Cllr Naughton brought a motion forward in June in relation to getting the registered date for septic tanks removed from February 1, 2013. 

(ABOVE: Cllr Micheál Naughton who represents the Donegal Municipal District) 

He told DonegalLive.ie: "I'm delighted to confirm that this will be removed. These changes, which will take effect from January 1, 2024, will mean that more households will qualify for the grants and will be supported to upgrade or replace their tank by a greatly enhanced grant. 
 
Domestic waste water treatment systems collect, treat and discharge waste water from households that are not connected to public sewerage systems.

They must be registered with Local Authorities who may inspect them to ensure they do not pose any risk to the public and the environment. 
 
Currently grants of up to €5,000 are available to repair, upgrade or replace a septic tank provided it was registered before 1 February 2013. The maximum grant will be increased by 140% to €12,000 and will be available to all eligible septic tank owners. 
 
Cllr Naughton added: “These are very important changes which will help households, particularly those in Donegal & rural Ireland, by easing the financial burden associated with upgrading, repairing or replacing a septic tank”. 

All is not ‘well’ when it comes to rural water access and septic tanks-Naughton