Is there a grant available to upgrade my septic tank system?
A grant may be available to assist in carrying out remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or replacement of, a domestic wastewater treatment system that serves a house. Grants are available under the following schemes however, there are restrictions on eligibility under each scheme.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a National Inspection Plan to help identify domestic wastewater treatment systems that are not meeting the expected standard. The treatment system must have been inspected under this inspection plan and an advisory notice issued by the local authority under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. The relevant Regulations are Housing (Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 184 of 2020).
The treatment system serves a house that is situated in a Prioritised Area for Action in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 (or later edition), and a letter has been issued by the Local Authority Waters Programme Office on behalf of the relevant local authority, confirming eligibility to apply. The relevant Regulations are Housing (Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems Financial Assistance for Prioritised Areas for Action) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 185 of 2020).
The treatment system serves a house that is situated in a High Status Objective Catchment Area in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 (or later edition), this can be checked by inputting an EIRCODE in the map. The relevant Regulations are Housing (Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems Financial Assistance for High Status Objective Catchment Areas) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 186 of 2020).
In all of the above grant schemes the following criteria apply:
The treatment system requiring attention must have been registered by the owner by 1st February 2013, or in the case of treatment systems constructed or installed after this date registration must have been completed within 90 days of connection
Grants will not be paid towards the normal costs of ensuring a system is working properly, for example: maintaining, servicing or de-sludging a domestic wastewater treatment system
The three grant schemes are being administered by The Environment Section, Kildare County Council on behalf of the department.
A copy of the necessary form can be downloaded from the document download section of this website. This form contains additonal information and should be submitted once completed.
For additional information, please check the EPA’s website or gov.ie
All information as noted above in relation to grants is subject to change and as such all potential applicants should consult the gov.ie website as noted above for the most up-to-date information or call and discuss your issues with the Environment department technical staff..