Nearly all Laois septic tanks failed inspection last year

A massive 97% of septic tanks inspected in Laois last year failed, according to a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Laois had the second highest failure rate in the country, behind Dun Laoghaire Rathdown where 100% of septic tanks failed inspection. The figures are included in the EPA's report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2024 which was published on Wednesday, May 14. 

Between the years 2013 and 2024 a total of 156 septic tanks in Laois failed inspection which the EPA say is putting householders’ health and the environment at risk.

There were ten inspections required in Laois in 2024 with 65 being carried out by the local authority. The EPA report shows 67% of septic tanks that had failed inspection were fixed by the end of 2024. 

Domestic wastewater treatment systems, mostly septic tanks, are used by householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland. The EPA’s  National Inspection Plan 2022-2026 requires local authorities to complete a minimum of 1,200 inspections annually, targeted near rivers and in areas where septic tanks are co-located with household drinking water wells. Nationally 1,390 septic tanks were inspected in 2024 with 56 per cent (773) failing because they were not built or maintained properly.

When septic tanks fail inspection, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix the problem. The EPA report found that 82 per cent of septic tanks that failed during 2013–2024 were fixed, up from 75 percent at the end of 2021. The number of advisory notices open more than two years decreased for the first time, from 576 at the end of 2023 to 523 at the end of 2024.

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Commenting on the report, 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 said: "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.”