ALMOST half of septic tanks in Donegal failed inspections last year, according to a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems released this week found 44 per cent of septic tanks failed inspections in Donegal in 2022 with 83 per cent of them fixed by the end of last year.
Nationally the report found half of septic tanks in Ireland failed inspections with 20 per cent of those posing a risk to human health and the environment.
It also found enforcement orders to fix faults by local authorities are ‘inconsistent’.
Commenting on the report, Dr. Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said faulty septic tanks are a risk to human health and the environment.
“If not built and operated properly, they can pollute watercourses and contaminate household drinking water wells with harmful bacteria and viruses.
“Where septic tanks are not functioning properly, it is critical that householders fix the problems to protect their family’s health and the environment,” he said.
Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager said it is unacceptable that failed septic tanks have not been fixed more than two years after inspection.
“Half of these involve sewage surfacing in gardens and discharging to ditches and streams, which are health risks that cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.