A chara, – I refer to your Editorial (January 4th) in which I was named, in relation to the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 which seeks to establish a regime to register and inspect private waste water systems.
I wish to clarify that I fully accept the desirability of clean water and the need to stake steps to ensure the elimination of sources of pollution. I also accept that there is a requirement under EU legislation to establish a regime to register private waste water systems.
What I have consistently sought from the Minister, and what is clearly outlined in the leaflet I have distributed at public meetings, is clarity as to the standards that will apply to existing waste water systems when the regime of inspections commences and details of the regulations he will be making in relation to the maintenance of these systems under the Act when enacted.
The Minister has refused to provide this information and has gone so far as to vote against the Environmental Protection Agency being invited in to the Select Dáil Committee to advise on these issues. Without this information it is impossible to accurately assess the likely failure rate for existing systems or the cost implications for householders of the legislation.
For those concerned with water pollution, as all people should be, it will be seen from the Water Framework Directive Maps that Connemara has in general very unpolluted waters with the main source of pollution in West Connemara coming from the Clifden Public Sewerage Scheme.
In relation to the polluter pays principle, this should apply equally to all citizens irrespective of where people live. It is interesting that many of those who want this applied to rural households are most vociferous in their opposition to the same principle being applied in urban areas.
In other words they feel that the provision, maintenance and upgrading of public waste water systems should be heavily subsidised from the public purse and that those who provide their own waste water systems should pay fully for the provision, maintenance and upgrades of their systems and also pay fees to the local authorities on top of this for the registration of their systems.
I would hope now that The Irish Timeswill join me in calling on the Minister to answer, in an open way, the legitimate questions he has been asked during the Oireachtas debate on the Bill and to ensure equal treatment of citizens irrespective of where they live. – Is mise,