Tanks for grant increase

A county councillor has called for an increase in grants for the replacement or repair of septic tanks after more than half of Ireland’s tanks failed inspection last year.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Ian Doyle asked that Cork County Council write to both the minister for housing and the minister for the environment requesting that the existing septic tank grant structure be improved. He also asked for the eligibility for the grant to be broadened.

His request comes after a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that 53% of domestic septic tank systems failed inspection in 2021. Cllr Doyle said: “Our water quality, whether it be ground water quality of river water quality, is of paramount importance. Many of these septic tanks were built in the 1960s and ‘70s. With inflationary costs and with material costs, a full replacement of a septic tank now will cost in the region of €10,000 to 12,000.”

Cllr Doyle pointed out that a person can only qualify for a grant if their tank is inspected by the local authority; however, he said it is currently impossible to apply for such an inspection. “You can't apply to be inspected by the local authority. I would like that to be changed, in that somebody who wants to replace their septic tank could apply to some department,” he said.

Dr Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said: “If you do not maintain your septic tank, it can contaminate your own or your neighbour’s drinking water well, or your local stream, putting your health at risk and that of your family and neighbours. “Some of these problems may go unnoticed unless householders check their septic tank and drinking water well. Householders should visually check their septic tank and get their well tested at least annually to satisfy themselves that their septic tank is not posing a risk to the health of their families, their neighbours and the environment.”