Almost two in five septic tanks failing inspection

In Co Cavan, 33 inspections were carried out last year, with an overall failure rate of 42%. In the six years between 2013 and 2019, a total of 109 septic tanks checked failed inspection.

Almost two in five septic tanks located at homes in Co Cavan are failing inspection, according to a newly published Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report.

In total 1,160 local authority inspections of septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems in 2019, with more than half of the systems failing inspection.

Domestic waste water treatment systems are used by rural householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland and most (90%) are septic tanks.

In Co Cavan, 33 inspections were carried out last year, with an overall failure rate of 42%.

In the six years between 2013 and 2019, a total of 109 septic tanks checked failed inspection.

However, according to the EPA, as of the end of April last, some 80% have been fixed.

Cavan County Council has long been regarded as having adopted best practice after pioneering the way in which people of the county pay for a comprehensive septic tank inspection regime.

The change was brought into effect as far back as 2004, and the progressive programme adopted was even lauded by the European Court of Justice.

Even former Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan commented that Cavan was probably the most environmentally friendly county in Ireland and way “ahead of its time” when it came to protecting groundwater.

The EPA is responsible for the development of a National Inspection Plan for domestic waste water treatment systems. The  current plan covers 2018-2021. Under the plan, Local Authorities are required to undertake a minimum of 1,000 inspections each year, distributed based on risk across the country.

By way of comparison, Monaghan Council checked 28 spectic tanks in the county last year, with a fail rate of 46%.

In total, 70 have failed inspection between 2013 and 2019, with 84% fixed.

Elsewhere, in Leitrim checked 26 in 2019 (62% fail) with just 43% of 104 septic tanks mended between 2013-19; Longford inspected 15 (73% fail) with 100% of those in need of fixing over six years complete; while in Meath, 69 septic tanks were looked at by the Council. Of those 57% needed repair, and of the 182 which required fixing between 2013-19, 66% had been mended.

The EPA also reported that the grant scheme for septic tanks has recently been expanded to cover specific areas where work is being focused to improve water quality under the national River Basin Management Plan.

Commenting on the report, Dr. Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement 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. It may also pollute your local stream or river. 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. The Government’s expanded septic tank grant scheme broadens the availability of grants and increases the maximum grant available which is welcomed.”

With 27% of systems that failed inspections during 2013-2019 still not fixed, the EPA is urging local authorities to take action.

Noel Byrne, EPA Senior Inspector said: “It is important that householders fix systems where problems are detected and be aware that they can pose a serious health risk. While there has been an improvement in the number of systems fixed, there are still many systems where faults are not addressed over a number of years. This requires increased engagement and enforcement by Local Authorities to address remaining failures.”