Almost half of all septic tanks inspected by Tipperary County Council last year failed according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Of the 38 inspected there was a 47 percent failure rate, over the past 9 years 149 septic tanks failed however the data shows that of that total 59% were fixed as of the end of last year.
The lowest rates of “failures fixed” are in counties Roscommon, Waterford, Leitrim, and Tipperary.
Households are notified when they fail the inspection, advised that they must be fixed, and told of repair grants of up to €5,000 available in certain circumstances.
Nationally more than 1,100 inspections were completed last year with structural defects and lack of maintenance were the most common reasons for failure.
When they are faulty they can leak, potentially contaminating household drinking water wells with harmful bacteria and viruses.
They can also pool on garden surfaces, running off into ditches and streams, damaging the environment and putting people’s health at risk.
The EPA said local authorities need to increase enforcement where it is warranted so that environmental and public health are protected.
