Change of ownership of domestic septic tanks

Under section 4 of the Water Services Act 2007 (as inserted by section 70D of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012), a person who sells a premises connected to a “domestic waste water treatment system” (which would include a septic tank) is obliged to furnish a valid certificate of registration in respect of the treatment system to the purchaser of the premises.

After completion of the sale, it is the purchaser of the premises who is obliged to notify the relevant water services authority of the change of ownership of the premises. It is not recommended that solicitors take on the obligation of making this notification. Purchasers should be informed of this obligation.

At present, there is not a form for notification of change of ownership on the website www.protectourwater.ie, which is a website shared by the various water services authorities. However, purchasers can notify change of ownership:

• By email to support@protectourwater.ie, or
• By post to Protect Our Water, PO Box 12204, Dublin 7.

The particulars to be furnished are the number of the certificate of registration and the name and address of the purchaser. The purchaser will then receive a new certificate of registration by post.