[ad_1]
In its latest report, the Environmental Protection Agency has warned.
Local authorities completed 1,390 inspections in 2024, targeting those close to rivers and domestic drinking water wells at risk of pollution by wrong sewage tanks.
There are approximately 500,000 sewage tanks throughout the country used to treat wastewater, most of them in rural areas and are linked to individual homes.
Of the searched sewage tanks, 56 percent (773) failed “because they were not built or preserved properly.” When tanks fail to inspect, local authorities make consulting notifications for families that determine what is required to treat the problem.
The largest failure rates in Lewis (97 percent), Witzeth (92 percent), Roskomon (85 percent), Kilder (83 percent), liter (75 percent), Ovali (70 percent) and Wixford (70 %). There was a 100 percent failure rate in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and 75 percent in southern Dublin, but seven and four sewage tanks were examined, respectively.
The Environmental Protection Agency report found that 82 percent of the sewage tanks that failed during 2013-2024 were repaired, an increase of 75 percent at the end of 2021. This helped with increased absorption of grants.
The number of consulting notifications that open more than two years has decreased for the first time; From 576 at the end of 2023 to 523 at the end of 2024.
“Reducing old consulting notifications [over two years] It is welcome. However, the number that has not been solved is still unacceptable, allowing risks to public health and the environment. ”
Grants for the treatment of sewage tanks were increased from 5,000 euros to 12,000 euros last year, and the condition of the sewage tank was registered in 2013. 265 grants were granted in 2024, with a total of about 2.5 million euros – an increase of 194 regions in 2023.
[ Almost half of septic tanks inspected by local authorities last year failedOpens in new window ]
The director of the EPA Santa Bern said that the high failure rate is “a real concern.”
“By maintaining the sewage tank and repairing any identified problems, the families will protect their health and the environment. Families must benefit from the enhanced grants when necessary,” he said.
Sewerage tanks can leak from the drinking wells with harmful bacteria and viruses, while people may be exposed to wastewater if they are falling into the gardens or running in trenches and tables.
The national inspection plan for the Environmental Protection Agency requires local authorities to complete at least 1,200 inspections annually, and it is targeted near where there are important water sources.
Last year, there was a shortage of inspections by four local authorities: Limrek, Dunigl, Wixford and Leverter and this needs to be completed in 2025.
