Over half of Mayo septic tanks failed inspection last year
FIFTY-NINE per cent of septic tanks inspected in Mayo last year failed.
The local authority is meeting its targets for the number of inspections it conducts – 53 were required in the county, with 59 taking place.
More than half (59%) failed inspection last year. That brings the systems failings rate from 2013 to 2024 to 541, but of those, 81% had been fixed by the end of last year.
Local authorities across Ireland completed 1,390 septic tank inspections in 2024, targeted near rivers and household drinking water wells which are most at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks. Some 56% of septic tanks failed inspection.
Eighty-two per cent of septic tanks that failed nationally during 2013 - 2024 were fixed by the end of last year, which shows continued improvement, and this has been aided by an increased uptake in grants.
Commenting on the report issued by the EPA, Dr. Micheál Lehane, director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, said: “The reduction in the number of old advisory notices (over two years) is to be welcomed, however, the number not resolved remains unacceptably high, allowing risks to public health and the environment to continue.
“Greater and sustained enforcement effort is needed by local authorities during their annual septic tank inspections, checking that faulty septic tanks are fixed and taking legal action where necessary.”
The grant schemes for remediation of septic tanks were changed at the start of 2024 to increase the amount from €5,000 to €12,000 and remove the requirement to have registered the septic tank in 2013. There were 265 grants awarded in 2024, totalling nearly €2.5 million, up from 194 grants in 2023.
Noel Byrne, EPA programme manager, added: "More than half of septic tanks failed inspection, which is a real concern. Householders’ water supplies and local rivers may be exposed to contamination from faulty septic tanks, which can pose a serious health risk to individuals and the local environment.
“By maintaining their septic tank and fixing any problems identified, householders will protect their health and the environment. Householders should take advantage of the enhanced grants where applicable.”