Increased Mayo funding for wells and septic tanks in Mayo

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has highlighted changes to grants for septic tanks and wells which will see increased funding available to people in Mayo.

The changes come under Measure 8 of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, which runs from 2019 to 2021.

Minister Ring said: “Under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, the government is allocating €1.25 million in grants for domestic waste water treatment systems (septic tanks) and €4 million in respect of grants for private water supplies (wells) for 2020.

“The funding is being provided to local authorities across the country under the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027 and Mayo County Council will benefit.

“This year the means test is being removed for funding for private water supplies as well as domestic waste water treatment systems.

"In both cases, the maximum grants are also being increased: up to €5,000 for domestic waste water treatment systems and up to €3,000 for works to an existing well or up to €5,000 for a new well.

“The funding will support infrastructure improvements for domestic waste water treatment systems and private water supplies in rural areas in Mayo.

“This funding announcement builds on the significant investment already being made through the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, to support the communities and the local economies of rural Ireland including here in Mayo.

“The government continues to work with local authorities and group water schemes to ensure that people living in rural Ireland have access to quality water services, equivalent to those living in urban areas.”

The announcement follows the introduction of the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021, which made changes and improvements in how funding was targeted in relation to rural water services.

"Funding under the first seven measures was approved by Minister Eoghan Murphy, and announced last year.”