Over 500 septic tank failures in Mayo during past decade
There are more than half a million domestic wastewater treatment systems in Ireland.
Mayo County Council fixed nearly three-quarters of domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) that required repairs from 2013 to 2023.
However, the 73% figure recorded by the local authority is still regarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a moderate rate of repairs following septic tank failures. The EPA published a report last week on septic tank inspections in Ireland during the past decade.
Overall, Mayo County Council recorded 506 system failures between 2013 and 2023, the second-highest figure of any local authority behind only Wexford with 787 failures. The council had fixed 73%, or around 369 systems, up to the end of last year. In 2023, the council was required to carry out 53 inspections but surpassed that target with 56.
Domestic wastewater treatment systems, mostly septic tanks, are used by householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland. Nationally, the number of septic tank failures left unresolved after two years was 576 at the end of 2023, a figure that has steadily risen in the preceding decade, according to the EPA. Local authorities can issue advisory notices requiring householders to fix tanks that fail inspection, but the EPA has said that the enforcement of advisory notices by local authorities is inconsistent. It said 95% of legal actions were taken by just four local authorities, including Mayo.
EPA Programme Manager Noel Byrne said this is not acceptable.
“It is unacceptable that the number of septic tanks left un-fixed for more than two years continues to rise. Greater enforcement is needed by local authorities to ensure failed systems are fixed,” he said.
“Where faulty septic tanks are not being fixed, particularly given the availability of the enhanced grant scheme, local authorities need to use their enforcement powers to protect the environment and public health.”
The National Inspection Plan, published by the EPA in 2021, requires a minimum of 1,200 inspections from 2023 onwards. There was a shortfall in inspections by five local authorities in 2023 and these need to be completed in 2024.
