MORE THAN HALF of septic tanks inspected by local authorities this year do not meet regulatory standards.
The Environmental Protection Agency says that 53% of the 420 tanks inspected failed so far this year.
The EPA says that most of those who failed could avoid these failures if they took simple steps.
Inspections began in July last year and within eight months, 450,000 waste systems were registered and 93 inspectors were appointed.
Those inspectors, who work for local authorities, inspected 423 units, with just a 47% pass rate.
In the majority of cases, those that failed did so because the tank was not de-sludged or it was not properly operated and maintained.
Gerard O’Leary, the Director of EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said that the National Inspection Plan aimed to have 1,000 inspections by July.
“Since the publication of the National Inspection Plan, the EPA has appointed almost 100 inspectors, who are engaged in inspecting treatment systems across the country. The first year of the national inspection plan for septic tanks is about setting up a new inspection regime and providing information to householders about how to maintain, and rectify simple problems with, their treatment systems.
“The inspections will now become a routine part of local authorities’ work.”
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