Seventy septic tank inspections in Mayo this year

SEVENTY septic tanks are due to be inspected in Mayo this year, with about two-thirds of that list already examined.

Sixty inspections took place last year, Councillor Patsy O'Brien was told after he queried the matter at a council meeting.

What tanks are inspected is determined on a risk-based approach, he was told.

The south Mayo member said increased grant aid is needed for people who have to replace defective tanks, with costs spiralling, including having to get engineers to decide the best course of action to remedy a tank.

His elected colleagues agreed with him and a letter is to issue to the Minister for the Environment on this.

Councillor Ger Deere said the system is broken. If there is an issue with a tank, people should get a grant. People want to protect the environment but they need to be helped.