Increased septic tank grants for Kilkenny homeowners from start of new year

Homeowners dealing with failing septic tanks will be assisted with funding to carry out improvement works up to €12,000 from January 1,  2024, a local  Fine Fail councillor has said.

Councillor Peter 'Chap' Cleere said that an increase in grants available for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (commonly known as septic tanks) will also benefit even more homeowners from next year.

"The septic tank grants are to be increased to €12,000, from €5,000, representing a massive 140% increase,” said Cllr Cleere.

“But even more significantly, the previous qualifying condition that the septic tank must be registered with the local authority prior to 1st February 2013 will be removed, meaning that more homeowners across Kilkenny will be eligible to avail of these grants from January 1st.”

Earlier this year a report revealed that two in every three septic tanks in Kilkenny were failing inspections.

These enhanced grants can be used to repair, upgrade, or even replace septic tanks which aren’t fit for purpose. "This is really positive news for owners of standalone and rural housing who have faced challenges maintaining proper functioning septic tanks. We know that there are almost half a million homes around the country which aren’t connected to a public sewage network and therefore have their own network,” he said.