Most septic tank owners in Westmeath met deadline

Of the 12,000-plus septic tank or other private wastewater treatment systems in Westmeath, 78 per cent have completed the registration process.Those who register from now on will not be eligible to any grant aid, if repair works are needed, as February 1 was the cut-off date determining grant eligibility.At Dáil Éireann level, it was revealed that there are an estimated 12,165 wastewater treatment systems in Westmeath. Of these, 9,506 have been registered.The registration rate in Westmeath is 12th highest out of the 35 county council authorities across the country.The issue was raised at Dáil level by Deputy Barry Cowen, who asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, what his plans are for those homes that have not registered, and when publication would take place of the Environmental Protection Agency's national inspection plan.Minister Hogan responded that in the coming weeks, his department will discuss with the local authorities the approach to be taken in respect of unregistered systems, and he expected that the details of the inspection plan would be published "shortly", and that inspections will commence in the middle of this year.Also in Dáil Éireann, Deputy Joe Higgins asked how many properties had registered for the Household Charge. The table showed that in Westmeath, 20,576 had registered and paid the charge by January 25 of this year. Some 366 households were deemed eligible for a waiver.