Nearly half of all septic tanks tested in Ireland in 2023 failed inspections, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA has warned that failure to fix faulty septic tanks cannot be allowed to continue and that enforcement by local authorities is inconsistent and needs to improve.
According to the latest EPA report about domestic waste water treatment systems, local authorities have not been carrying out the required number of inspections and that legal directions to make up for a shortfall in inspections were issued to Waterford County Council in 2022 and Galway County Council in 2023.
There are nearly half a million septic tanks installed on properties that are not connected to public sewage systems around the country.
When they are faulty, or not up to the required standard, septic tanks can pose an ongoing and significant risk to human health and the environment.
Household drinking water wells can become contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses from faulty septic tanks and people may be exposed to sewage if it surfaces in gardens or runs off into ditches and streams.
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Additionally, excessive releases of nitrogen and phosphorus can cause pollution in receiving waters.
To counteract these risks, local authorities inspected 1,189 septic tank systems last year with 45% of the septic tanks failing inspections.
The most common reasons for failure included poor maintenance, septic tanks not being de-sludged, the discharging of effluent into ditches or streams, leaks, and effluent ponding.
Where septic tanks have failed inspections, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix the problem.
The report from the EPA found there were 576 cases where issues notified to householders over two years previously had still not been addressed.
It also said that enforcement by local authorities is inconsistent and needs to improve, with Waterford, Roscommon and Kilkenny having the lowest rates of septic tank failures resolved.
EPA Programme Manager Noel Byrne said it is unacceptable that the number of septic tanks left unfixed for more than two years continues to rise.
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Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Byrne said greater enforcement is needed by local authorities to ensure failed systems are fixed.
Where faulty septic tanks are not being fixed, particularly given the availability of the enhanced grant scheme, he said local authorities need to use their enforcement powers to protect the environment and public health.
The Government grants scheme for the repair of faulty septic tanks was improved from the start of 2024 when the amount available for repairs was increased from €5,000 to €12,000.
