Environment Minister Phil Hogan has said he hopes to have the registration system for owners of private septic tanks in place by April.
A €5 registration fee is in place for householders who register early, going up to €50 for later registrations.
The Environmental Protection Agency is developing a national inspection plan to be implemented by local authorities.
It is hoped that details of where and how those inspections are to be conducted will be published towards the end of this year.
There will be no fee for inspections.