High failure rate of Mayo septic tanks inspections must be addressed

MORE needs to be done help people in Mayo get their septic tanks up to standard due to a high failure rate with inspections, it has been revealed.

Michael Hegarty, senior executive technicianwith Mayo County Council, said from 2016 to presently, a total of 552 inspections on septic tanks were done, with 408 failing.

Councillor Peter Flynn said it’s a catch-22 with the tanks as many people would like to upgrade them but people are under huge financial pressure.

He added that the 74% failure rate for inspections of septic tanks in the county is really stark and the flip side is that it will have huge implications for water supply, amenity areas and blue flag beaches.

He welcomed the government’s removal of the means test for the repair/replacement grant of the septic tank but more needed to be done.

He proposed a moratorium for people to register for the grant who had not done so and to give them an opportunity to get the grant.

John Condon, director of services, Mayo County Council, said the promotion of an amnesty has a lot of merit and said a notice of motion should be put to the county council, which Councillor Flynn said he would do.