If you’re installing a water pipe to paddocks or a new shed, make it big enough. You’ve one chance. Tom Ryan of Teagasc is coming across cases where farmers have put in pipes recently only to now find they are undersized and not delivering sufficient flow.

Doubling pipe diameter quadruples water flow – the additional cost is marginal. Bigger troughs, high flow ballcocks and high pump pressure can’t make up for small pipes.

There’s continued interest among farmers in drilling new wells. There’s practical advice on pages 4 and 5 on where to site a well to avoid contamination. Be aware that you may need a softener and/or filter for iron.

Ask neighbours about the quality of water in their wells – your water will be similar.

One year on, the rows over septic tank inspections have faded. This is because the number of inspections is low – about 500 have been carried out so far.

Also, failing an inspection makes a homeowner eligible to apply for an 80% grant. Inspections are targeted at risk areas and at homeowners who have not registered.

The rate of inspection will have to step up – but this is not likely for a number of years, until local authority finances improve.

In the past, percolation areas were all too often built below standard and now cause many of the problems down at the bottom of Irish gardens. One Offaly firm has led the way in demonstrating how effective percolation areas are designed and built. Visitors are welcome – see pages 6 and 7.

So, what do you do if your septic tank is faulty? You can’t access grant aid without failing an inspection and you can’t invite an inspection. A new properly installed treatment system is a great relief. One help would be the tax relief offered by the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme – see page 8.