Over 50% of septic tanks used by rural householders to treat sewage fail inspection, a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shown.
Rural Ireland has an estimated half a million septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems. Half of the 1,160 septic tank systems inspected in 2019 failed.
A lack of maintenance and desludging was identified as a key issue. The local authorities identified more serious issues with nearly 300 systems where they were found to be a risk to human health or the environment.
Over 27% of systems that failed inspections during 2013 to 2019 are still not fixed.
Grant
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government are now offering grants of up to €5,000 to fix these domestic waste water treatment systems.
The grant is available for systems:
That fail under the National Inspection Plan. That are located in High Status Objective Catchment Areas identified in the River Basin Management Plan.Where they are identified by local authorities in Priority Areas for Action.The Department also provides a grant for addressing issues with household wells. Householders should contact their local authority rural water section to make an application.
Health risk
The EPA has welcomed new septic tank grant scheme as householders with private wells are particularly vulnerable to pollution from faulty systems.
Commenting on the report, director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, Dr Tom Ryan said: “If you do not maintain your septic tank, it can contaminate your own or your neighbour’s well, putting your health at risk and that of your family and neighbours.
“You can take simple steps to maintain your septic tank by cleaning it out regularly and by making sure it is not leaking, ponding or discharging to ditches.”
Inspections
Under the National Inspection Plan, local authorities are required to undertake a minimum of 1,000 inspections each year, distributed based on risk across the country.
Wexford had the greatest number of inspections at 156, with a 70% failure rate.
Read more
Tipperary Co-op and Arrow Group remain on EPA pollution list
GHG target achievable using agricultural lands – EPA
Over 50% of septic tanks used by rural householders to treat sewage fail inspection, a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shown.
Rural Ireland has an estimated half a million septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems. Half of the 1,160 septic tank systems inspected in 2019 failed.
A lack of maintenance and desludging was identified as a key issue. The local authorities identified more serious issues with nearly 300 systems where they were found to be a risk to human health or the environment.
Over 27% of systems that failed inspections during 2013 to 2019 are still not fixed.
Grant
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government are now offering grants of up to €5,000 to fix these domestic waste water treatment systems.
The grant is available for systems:
That fail under the National Inspection Plan. That are located in High Status Objective Catchment Areas identified in the River Basin Management Plan.Where they are identified by local authorities in Priority Areas for Action.The Department also provides a grant for addressing issues with household wells. Householders should contact their local authority rural water section to make an application.
Health risk
The EPA has welcomed new septic tank grant scheme as householders with private wells are particularly vulnerable to pollution from faulty systems.
Commenting on the report, director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, Dr Tom Ryan said: “If you do not maintain your septic tank, it can contaminate your own or your neighbour’s well, putting your health at risk and that of your family and neighbours.
“You can take simple steps to maintain your septic tank by cleaning it out regularly and by making sure it is not leaking, ponding or discharging to ditches.”
Inspections
Under the National Inspection Plan, local authorities are required to undertake a minimum of 1,000 inspections each year, distributed based on risk across the country.
Wexford had the greatest number of inspections at 156, with a 70% failure rate.
Read more
Tipperary Co-op and Arrow Group remain on EPA pollution list
GHG target achievable using agricultural lands – EPA
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