New measures relating to improvement grants for private wells and septic tanks commenced as of May 1st, increasing the maximum amounts available to homeowners and extending eligibility, North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has said.
The Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019 to 2021 was launched in February and as of the start of May, Measure 8 of the scheme is open for applications and grant funding.
Measure 8 covers ‘improvements to the grants available to private well owners’. The maximum grant for refurbishment works to a domestic well has increased from €2,031 to €3,000. A new and additional provision is included for a maximum grant of €5,000 where a new well is required as an exceptional measure is also included.
Regarding septic tanks, the means test to qualify for a grant to carry out improvement works on a septic tank is being abolished and the maximum grant is being increased to €5,000. Currently, the maximum grant amounts available are €2,500 and €4,000 depending on the applicant’s means. Eligibility for the grant scheme is also being extended.
Cllr. O’Shea said full guidelines and application forms are now with all local authorities. “This is very welcome news from a homeowner’s perspective. The maximum grant for rehabilitation works for private wells has increased by 47%, while up to 80% of the cost of an approved septic tank (up to €4,000) is also available. I would encourage homeowners to look into the scheme and to take advantage of it to improve their existing facilities,” he said.