Water and Wastewater

The Private Well Grant Scheme is administered by Cork City Council on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Rural Water Programme. The objective of the grant scheme is to assist households in rural areas that are dependent on a private water supply (individual well) for their household use, by financially assisting them where they incur capital expenditure, to carry out improvements to the supply to ensure that the water supply is wholesome and clean, or that the quantity supplied is sufficient to meet the domestic needs of the household. The relevant Regulations are Housing (Private Water Supply Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 192 of 2020).

You are eligible to apply for grant assistance if:

• Your house is over 7 years old;
• You have not received grant assistance for Domestic Water Supply within the last 7 years;
• You are not connected to a public water supply or cannot be reasonably served by a public or group water supply scheme source;
• The house is occupied as your normal place of residence.

The level of a grant is determined by the type of improvement works being undertaken and shall not exceed the following amounts:

(a)   (i) 85% of the approved costs for rehabilitation works, subject to a maximum of €3,000;

or

(ii)  85% of the approved costs for the provision of a new well, subject to a maximum of €5,000 (where the housing authority agrees that this is the most appropriate solution);

(b)  100% of the approved costs for works that, in the opinion of the housing authority, are necessary to treat the water to meet the water quality standards specified in the Regulations, subject to a maximum grant of €1,000.  Examples of such treatments are filtration or Ultra Violet treatment.

Grant applications for works where the total cost does not exceed €750 will not be considered.

Download the terms and conditions of the scheme here:  Private Well Grant Terms and Conditions

Download the application form here: Form PWS 1a

Download the payment claim form here: Form PWS 1b

This Privacy Notice explains how the department, as the Data Controller, will process the personal data provided to it in respect of the management and administration of these schemes of financial assistance; how that information will be used, and what rights you may exercise in relation to your personal data.  Download here:  Privacy Notice - Administration of Schemes of Financial Assistance under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019 - 2021

Lead in drinking water is a danger to people’s health, especially for young children, pregnant women and babies fed on formula. It was commonly used in plumbing systems in Ireland up to and including the 1970s, so some people may still be getting water through these systems.

Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme

The objective of the domestic lead remediation grant scheme is to assist householders with the cost of the replacement of lead pipes and fittings, located within the internal distribution system of a house.

An individual may apply to their local authority for assistance under the revised Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme.

In advance of applying for a grant the applicant must have received one of the following:

(a) a notification from a water supplier advising that there is likely to be lead pipes and related fittings within the internal distribution system of the house, or

(b) hold a certificate dated within the six months immediately prior to the date of application by a laboratory accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board confirming a parametric value for lead in the drinking water supply to the house concerned, which exceeds the statutory limit, of 10μg/l, or

(c) a notification from a registered building professional advising that there are lead pipes and related fittings located within the internal distribution system of the house concerned.

The new eligibility conditions in the revised grant include:

• Removal of the means test requirement.
• Introduction of a uniform grant rate of 100% of the eligible costs of the replacement of any such lead pipes and/or related fittings, or €5,000, whichever is the lower
• An additional eligible cost can be claimed to a maximum of €200 for the provision of a certificate from a laboratory or notification from a registered building professional, as outlined at (b) and (c) above. This cost is to be included in the calculation of the maximum eligible cost total of €5,000. Note, any indirect costs incurred by the applicant themselves are not eligible costs
• The house concerned must be occupied by the applicant as their normal place of residence.
• Minimum expenditure on eligible works to qualify for a grant is €750.
• For the purposes of this scheme, in relation to the replacement of lead pipes or related fittings, the approved cost means the cost estimated by the local authority to be the reasonable cost of carrying out the replacement works or the actual cost of carrying out the works, whichever is the lesser
• Each claim for a grant must be accompanied by an original receipt for the total amount paid from each contractor engaged for the purpose of the remediation works. The receipt provided must include an itemised list of the works carried out and the associated costs for each item
• Each claim must also include certification from the contractor engaged to carry out the works that any materials used, including pipes and fittings, are of appropriate quality and that a proper standard of workmanship has been applied in the course of the works
• In order for eligible receipts to be reimbursed to the applicant by the local authority, the tax clearance status of the contractor must be up to date

Applications for the grant should be made to Cork City Council; by reviewing the Terms and Conditions.

Click the following link if you wish to complete the Claim Form 1A Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme.

Once you have completed your application form, please print it out and post it along with all relevant supporting documentation to:

Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme, Water Services, Room 315, Cork City Council, City Hall, Cork or email to waterservices@corkcity.ie 

The EPA Code of Practice establishes an overall framework of best practice in relation to the development of domestic waste water treatment systems, in unsewered rural areas, for protection of our environment and specifically water quality and human health.  The new EPA Code of Practice for Wastewater Treatment Systems serving Single Houses (p.e. ≤10) was published on 24th March 2021 and came into effect on 7th June 2021.  Further information and downloads can be found on the EPA website.

Registration of Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) including Septic Tanks

Owners of homes that are not connected to the public sewer are required, under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012, to register their treatment system with ‘Protect Our Water’ which is the registration service operated by the LGMA (Local Government Management Agency) on behalf of local authorities.  Details on how to register are available on www.protectourwater.ie.

National Inspection Plan

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has developed a National Inspection Plan as required by the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012.  Inspections are being carried out to make sure that DWWTSs including septic tanks and treatment plants do not pose a risk to human health or the environment.  Cork City Council is responsible for applying the criteria outlined by the EPA to select sites for inspection based on environmental risk.  Owners of DWWTS's are required, under the Act, to ensure that their treatment system is operated and maintained properly.  Home owners will be notified in writing by Cork City Council in advance of an inspection being carried out.  Home owners must comply with the advisory notice issued by a local authority if their system fails an inspection.

Grant Aid

A homeowner that has received an advisory notice issued by a local authority following an inspection may be eligible for grant aid to assist them in carrying out the required works.  Information on grant aid available under the National Inspection Plan and application forms can be downloaded here:  DWWTS National Inspection Plan Grant Aid.

A grant is also available to assist with the costs of remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or replacement of a DWWTS that serves a house, where the works arise in a High Status Objective Catchment Area in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan, and the potential applicant has received a letter from the housing authority confirming eligibility to apply for a grant.  Information on grant aid available for High Status Objective Catchment Areas and application forms can be downloaded here:  DWWTS Grant Aid in High Status Objective Catchment Areas.

A further grant is available in Priority Areas for Action as outlined in the River Basin Management Plan.  Those eligible for this grant will have received notification in writing from the Local Authorities Waters Programme Office.  Information on grant aid available for Priority Areas for Action and application forms can be downloaded here:  DWWTS Grant Aid in Priority Areas For Action.

Further information on the River Basin Management Plan can be found in the Environment Section of this website.