One in five septic tanks pose 'a risk to human health' EPA reports

HALF of septic tanks across the country failed inspection, and one in five posed a risk to human health and to the environment, according to a new report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The report, which provides information regarding the implementation of the National Inspection Plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems in 2022, also found that local authorities were ‘inconsistent’ in their approaches to failed inspections.

Over 1,100 inspections were carried out last year. The EPA found that half of the septic tanks (560) failed inspection. One-in-five, or 230 were found to pose a serious environmental or health risk.

Reasons for failures were in two categories, operational (de-sludging and maintenance) and structural defects (illegal discharges to ditches/streams, leaks, ponding and rainwater ingress). 

The report, published Tuesday, also found that the enforcement of advisory notices by local authorities is inconsistent around the country.

Roscommon, Waterford, Leitrim, and Tipperary county councils had the lowest rates of "failures fixed" in 2022. Inspections by Clare, Waterford and Offaly councils last year were “well below” their requirements, EPA said. 

There are over half a million septic tanks, or domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) across the country, used by householders to treat sewage.

Faulty septic tanks can contaminate household drinking water wells with harmful bacteria and viruses if not built and operated properly. People may be exposed to sewage if it surfaces in gardens or runs off into ditches/ streams, causing serious damage to health and to the environment.

According to EPA Programme Manager Noel Byrne, his agency needs to see that  inspections are followed through and brought to a conclusion.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said: "Half of these failed inspections and fixing the faulty septic tanks is taking too long in many circumstances and that's continuing to risk people's health and the environment."

He also stated that a grant of up to €5,000 is available for householders and administered through their local authority, if they have an inspection and a problem is detected with their system.