The key indicator of soil quality is Organic matter. Organic matter improves the water-holding capacity of sandy soils and helps drainage in thick soils. Organic Matter reduces the risk of soil slumping, capping and erosion.

Maintenance of soil organic matter increases biological activity from earthworms and fungi to micro-organisms and helps to maintain soil fertility.

How can quality compost benefit cereal crops ?

1. Helps maintain and enhance soil organic matter levels.
2. Improves soil water holding capacity and workability.
3. Supplies crop-available nutrients and trace elements.
4. Can help improve crop establishment and long-term yields.

Regular use of compost will help to maintain and enhance soil organic matter levels and will be of particular value for cereal crops grown on lighter soils in drier parts of Ireland.

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Your Septic Tank may be selected for inspection by your local authority. Part of the approval process is to ensure that your septic tank is properly maintained . If you are having works carried out to your system ensure that a reputable and competent contractor is used.

A few things to keep in mind :

• Know where your septic tank is located

• Operate and maintain the system so it is fit for purpose and fully operational

• Ensure that the system cannot pollute the environment by discharging or leaking waste .

• Ensure that roof water or surface water run-off cannot enter a septic tank.

• De-sludge the system at intervals appropriate to the tank capacity and the number of people resident in the premises connected to it, or as recommended by the system’s manufacturer. You should keep the receipt from the contractor for 5 years.

Why should I maintain my septic tank?

There are three important reasons for maintaining your septic tank:

1. It saves you money in the long run (repairs and replacement costs)
2. Untreated sewage water contains disease-causing bacteria that could affect you, your family, your community and the environment (groundwater, wells etc.)
3. Contamination of water bodies by failed septic tanks affects the economy. Water pollution, offensive odors, fish contamination etc. all have a detrimental effect on tourism and the economic viability of the area.

Committing a bit of attention to the care of your septic tank system, can help avoid the nightmare of it failing. Providing your system was properly located, designed and installed, by following the recommendations here, you can help your system to work properly for years to come.

In order to protect ground & surface water quality a Septic Tank Inspection and Registration Regime was introduced in Ireland in 2012 under Water Services Amendment Act 2012 .

Registration :

In general the deadline for registration was the 1st Feb 2013 but if you have not done so you can still register your septic tank with your local authority. There is an initial registration fee (€50) but you will not have to pay for subsequent registrations, which are required every 5 years.

• New Systems must be registered within 90 days after being connected.
• Replacement Tanks on previously Registered systems do not have to be registered separately.
• Existing systems Registered after 1st Feb 2013 are not eligible for a grant.

Register Online here

Inspections

Your Local Authority will send out an EPA appointed inspector. The inspector will establish :

• If the Septic Tank is Maintained Correctly
• If the Septic Tank is Working Properly

If that is not the case you will be get and Advisory Notice from the Local Authority to update your system.

Grants for Updating your Septic Tank

You are eligible for this Means-Tested Grant if you have have registered your Septic Tank before 1st Feb 2013 and have received and Advisory Notice (as explained above) , routine maintenance does not apply.

You Can Download the Application Form Here

Rates

The once-off registration fee is €50.

There is no inspection charge.

The costs of any remediation will depend on the extent and nature of the work required.

The income thresholds and grant rates for assistance with remedial works are shown in the following table:

More info from EPA website

M&T Plant Hire Ltd. is a local owned Irish company & was founded by Tom Murray in 1980. Initially the company was set-up to hire out waste water treatment equipment but the company quickly grew, and now has diverged into various other specialist areas. Today over 25 people are employed by M&T Plant Hire whom are based in Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford but provide a committed service in Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wicklow.

Composting can be defined as “The natural breakdown of biodegradable materials through mixing, self-generated heating and aeration to form a stable, soil- like material”. Compost is a natural, nutritional and environmentally friendly safe product to consider.

What are the benefits?

• Increases organic matter in the soil which improves maximum yield potential.

• Offers slow release of major crop nutrients including phosphate, magnesium and sulphur.

• Improves soil structure for better workability which helps plants to have a better root development.

• Increases water infiltration and retention.

• Increases microbial activity, giving the soil a real fertility boost which reduces the need for additional fertilisers.

“In nature nothing is wasted; the by-product of one activity becomes the input for another”

M&T Composting – SFA Awards Finalist

SFA Award 2013

Following an intensive judging process, 37 companies were recently short-listed as finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2013. On 7^th February, the SFA held an event to showcase these successful companies that are creating employment, looking to new markets and representing the entrepreneurial qualities of positivity, resilience and adaptability that small businesses need to prosper in the future.

When to Empty Your Septic Tank

M&T Plant Hire Ltd are the leading specialists in septic tank emptying in the South East of Ireland. When we empty the septic tank, we then power wash all the lines that feed into and out of the septic tank, to ensure that there are no blockages.

An average household of 4 people and with an approximate 1500 gallon septic tank should have their septic tank cleaned out at least every 3 years.

“How do I know my septic tank is failing ?”

Anytime your septic tank is not treating and disposing of sewage in an effective manner, the septic tank system is failing. Look for the following symptoms’:-

•       Sewage backs up in the drains or toilets.
•       Slowly draining sinks, bathtubs and toilets
•       Unpleasant odours around the house
•       Wastewater on the ground surface above and near the system.
•       Lush green grass over the septic tank/ soak pit , even during dry weather.
•       Washing Machine does not Clean Clothes Properly

Septic Tank Emptying

M&T Plant Hire Ltd are the leading specialists in septic tank emptying & cleaning in the South East of Ireland.

Septic tank emptying:

Septic tank emptying is a critical step in septic tank maintenance , septic tank emptying extends the life of the system. Even if you don’t care how the septic tank works you need to clean and empty the septic tank by pumping out the septic waste.

How is it done?:

When M&T’s office has been contacted and a time and date for the emptying of the septic tank has been arranged, a company lorry is sent to the customers address. The driver of the lorry will identify the septic tank cover and remove. The driver will then proceed with the use of hose piping to pump the waste into the lorry. When all the waste has been removed the driver will then wash down all the lines leading to the septic tank to ensure the system is completely clean and free from any blockages in the pipes/line. The customer is then issued with a certificate for the emptying of the septic tank and the disposal of the waste, ensuring the waste disposal is in line with current environmental legislation.

Drain Cleaning

M&T Plant Hire Ltd are the leading drain cleaning specialists in the South East of Ireland. M&T clean drains that are designed for home, business and  industrial use. We use a range of specialised equipment for drain cleaning; such as vacuum cleaners & jetting units, these help remove blockages and eliminate gases such as methane etc.

M&T drain cleaning services specialise in dealing with the catering Industry  for eg. Hotels & Restaurants, Hospitals, Institutional and Event catering.  We operate under the National H.A.C.C.P (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) & GHP (Good Hygiene Practice) standards.

Speaking of Hotels & Restaurants M&T would like to congratulate Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Rosslare Strand for becoming the overall winner of the 2012 Wexford Business Awards. M&T have been the main drain cleaning contractor to Kelly’s Resort Hotel for over ten years and we are delighted to recognise their success.