Faulty septic tanks are putting people’s health and the environment at risk, the EPA has warned.
Last year, local authorities carried out 1,189 septic tank inspections - most of which were carried out close to rivers and drinking wells.
45% of septic tanks failed inspection and the EPA’s Noel Byrne is worried people are unaware of the risks this poses to their health.
“The EPA also found that 80% of septic tanks that failed inspection have been fixed since 2013 - which is very positive,” he said.
“But the failure to resolve older cases is a concern and this correlates with inconsistent enforcement by some local authorities.
“So, what we really want to remind listeners is that it’s up to the household to fix this primarily and faulty septic tanks are a risk to the environment and to people’s health.
“Especially if there’s a drinking water well inside, it must be resolved.”
Kitchen taps left running.There was a significant amount of regional variation; while 90% faulty septic tanks in Cork were fixed, in neighbouring Waterford the figure fell to 45%.
Mr Byrne said local authorities have a “key role” to play in keeping people safe.
“They have to do the inspections, first and foremost,” he said.
“Any that fail inspection, they have to follow up and make sure they’re fixed.
“What the EPA did find this year is that, by and large, most local authorities are getting their inspections done.
“The EPA were concerned by the shortfall by Galway County Council and issued a direction to Galway to make up that shortfall in 2024.
“But when you look at the rate of resolution or fixing of faulty septic tanks, more than half of local authorities have 80% plus of them fixed - which is really positive.”
For those whose septic tanks fail inspection, Mr Byrne said there is financial support available.
“There is an enhanced grant scheme available which has gone from €5,000 to €12,000,” he said.
“So, there’s really no excuse now if you have a septic tank that fails, there is financial support.”
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Main image: A worker installs a sewer manhole on a septic tank made of concrete rings.
