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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:
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.
There is a grant to help people on low incomes with the cost of replacing lead piping in their homes. The grant scheme was introduced under the Domestic Lead Remediation (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2016. Further information and application forms are included below:
Leaflet on Grant for Replacement of Lead Supply Pipes.pdf (size 3.4 MB)
Application for Grant to Replace Lead Supply Pipes.pdf (size 283.7 KB)
Replacement-of-Lead-Supply-Pipes-Guidance-Note.pdf (size 295.1 KB)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Please note: The Contractor Queries Form referenced on this page is provided by a third-party, Submit.com, contracted by Cork City Council to process online submissions. You will be presented with the privacy policy and terms and conditions if you choose to use the service.
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