Failure to fix faulty septic tanks is a risk to human health and the environment, and can’t continue, says Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Local authorities completed 1,189 septic tank inspections in 2023, targeted near rivers and household drinking water wells, which are most at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks.
45% of septic tanks failed inspection. It is critically important that householders fix septic tanks that fail inspection as such failures have the potential to be a risk to human health and the environment.
Enforcement by local authorities is inconsistent and needs to improve, with Waterford, Roscommon and Kilkenny having the lowest rates of septic tank failures resolved.
Grants for fixing septic tanks have increased from €5,000 to €12,000.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2023, which details the findings of septic tank inspections completed by local authorities in 2023. Of the 1,189 septic tanks inspected, 45% (532) failed because they were not built or maintained properly.
Water Service Authority.
Inspections Required 2023.
Inspections Completed 2023.
Systems Failing between 2013 & 2023.
Percent Fixed 2023.
Co. Tipperary
40
40
169
only72%
Comparisons:‘Percent Fixed’ for Co. Louth was 98%, Co. Wicklow97%, Fingal97%, South Dublin94%, Co. Longford88%, Co. Cavan89%, Co. Limerick84% and Co. Cork90%, leaving Co. Tipperary(shown on the above table) only moderately rated, when it comes to percentage of failures fixed.
Domestic waste water treatment systems, mostly septic tanks, are used by householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland. The EPA’s National Inspection Plan 2022-2026 has identified the number of inspections that need to be completed, particularly near rivers and in areas where septic tanks are co-located with household drinking water wells. Local authorities are required to complete a minimum of 1,200 inspections annually as part of their implementation of the plan.
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 and must be fixed. The EPA, through the National Inspection Plan, has identified rivers and areas where household drinking water wells are most at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks. Local authority inspections are targeted in these areas. It is critical that householders protect their family’s health and the environment by fixing the problems identified, drawing on the enhanced grants now available.”
Where septic tanks fail inspection, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix the problem. The EPA report found that there were 576 cases where issues notified to householders over two years previously had still not been addressed.
The grant schemes for remediation of septic tanks were changed at the start of 2024 to increase the amount from €5,000 to €12,000 and remove the requirement to have registered the septic tank in 2013. This presents a significant opportunity for householders to fix their septic tanks and resolve open advisory notices.
Mr Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager said, “It is unacceptable that the number septic tanks left un-fixed for more than two years continues to rise. Greater enforcement is needed by local authorities to ensure failed systems are fixed. Where faulty septic tanks are not being fixed, particularly given the availability of the enhanced grant scheme, local authorities need to use their enforcement powers to protect the environment and public health.”
The National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2022 – 2026 was published by the EPA in 2021. The plan requires a minimum of 1,200 inspections from 2023 onwards. There was a shortfall in inspections by five local authorities in 2023 and these need to be completed in 2024. The EPA issued legal directions to make up for shortfalls in inspections by Waterford County Council in 2022 and to Galway County Council in 2023.
Another question for ‘Canvassing Councillors’ and ‘Would Be MEP’s’ calling to your door.
Took a walk by the River Suir in Thurles today in the beautiful warm sunshine. Having surveyed the river area, I was reminded of the song “Down by the river”, written by Mike Hazlewood and British singer-songwriter and composer Albert Louis Hammond. The lyrics, shown hereunder, tell the story of a man and his girl friend taking a camping trip down by a river. The weather being warm; they both decide to go swimming. That night they both felt unwell, and having failed to get sleep, went for an early morning walk. During their walk, they see a silver fish lying on its side dead on the river bank and they wonder how it died. After visiting a doctor, they are informed that only foolish people go swimming in polluted river water.
The song highlights the negative environmental impact on our water, which is being accepted by our local elected Thurles politicians and councillors, to whom we pay large salaries and who are presently calling door to door, in the hope of being re-elected for yet another 5 years of waste and inactivity.
Ask those canvassing for your vote this time around, the following question “Where did the pump for the fountain, in the river Suir end up”. You will be surprised and possibly angered by the reply.
Down By The River.
Lyrics: British-Gibraltarian singer, songwriter and record producer Mike Hazlewood and British singer-songwriter and composer Albert Louis Hammond. Vocals: Albert Hammond.
Down By The River.
City life was gettin’ us down, So we spent the weekend out of town, Pitched the tent on a patch of ground, Down by the river. Lit a fire and drank some wine, You put your jeans on the top of mine, Said, come in the water’s fine, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. Said, come in the water’s fine, Down by the river. Didn’t feel too good all night, So we took a walk in the morning light, Came across the strangest sight, Down by the river. Silver fish lay on its side, It was washed up by the early tide, I wonder how it died, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. Silver fish lay on its side, Down by the river. Doctor put us both to bed, He dosed us up and he shook his head, “Only foolish people go”, he said, “Down by the river”. Why do willows weep, said he, Because they’re dying gradually, From the waste, from the factories, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. Why do willows weep, said he, Down by the river. In time, the river banks will die, The reeds will wilt and the ducks won’t fly, There’ll be a tear in the otter’s eye, Down by the river. The banks will soon be black and dead, And where the otter raised his head, Will be a clean white stone instead, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. The banks will soon be black and dead, Down by the river. Down by the river. Down by the river. The banks will soon be black and dead, Down by the river.
Thurles Clothes Pods packed to capacity today on the eve of a long holiday weekend. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Sewing or Sowing?
People arriving to deposit their unwanted textiles in the ‘Clothes Pods’ (latter Textile Recycling units), situated at the Thurles Parnell Street car park, have found same once again packed to capacity on the eve of a long bank holiday weekend.
Having attempted to push items further in and failing in their efforts, full plastic bags are now being dumped on the ground in this provided area by new depositor.
The photograph above, taken today Friday May 3rd 2024, shows that Tipperary Co. Council have failed yet again in their claim of quote; “Sewing the seeds of sustainability”, with articles of clothing strewn on the ground. [And we wonder why people are dumping on our roadsides!]
The ‘Clothes Pods’ previously provided at Aldi on Kickham Street and close to Thurles Swimming pool have both been removed for some reason, over the past few months, thus adding to the lack of recycling space being provided. In the meanwhile, with regard to the stickers on these ‘Clothes Pods’, stating that Tipperary is “Sewing the seeds of sustainability”, perhaps that should read “Sowing the seeds of sustainability”, but what would I know?
To mark ‘Biodiversity Week 2024‘, Tipperary Green Business Network invite you to join them on a guided walk of ‘The Apple Farm’ at Cahir, Co. Tipperary, which will be led jointly by your host Mr Con Trass and Mr Alan Moore, latter of ‘Hedgerows Ireland’.
The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Date and time:Saturday, May 18th, 2024, commencing at 2:30pm until 5:00am. (2 hours 30 minutes).
Location: The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. [Eircode: E21 YX33]
Please do wear suitable weather gear and footwear. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Light refreshments will be available. This is a FREE event, but booking is essential. Contact info@tgbn.ie
The Apple Farm Shop will be open for those of you may wish to stock up on juices, apple cider vinegar, jams etc.
Note: National Biodiversity Week 2024 will run over a 10 day period, from Friday 17th to Sunday 26th of May.
EPA report shows low uptake of Green Public Procurement in government department contracts.
Of €922 million spend by government departments on contracts in 2022, 34% included green criteria.
The increase in the use of green criteria (10% in 2021, 34% in 2022) is encouraging, but still at a low level.
All government departments must improve their implementation of Green Public Procurement and purchase more resource-efficient and less polluting goods, services and works.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its third report on Green Public Procurement(GPP) activity in government departments. GPP is a process where public authorities seek to source goods, services or works that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle.
The report details that out of the reported €922 million spend on contracts greater than €25,000 and signed in 2022, just 34% of the spend included green criteria. While it is encouraging to see an improvement compared to the previous year (10% in 2021, 34% in 2022), overall the use of green criteria is inconsistent across government departments and at a low level, relative to total spend.
Launching the report Ms Laura Burke, Director General, said: “Our latest report shows an encouraging increase in the implementation of Green Public Procurement by government departments. But the use of Green Public Procurement is still low, with only a quarter of in scope ICT Product contracts incorporating green criteria, and less than half in some other sectors such as transport and cleaning services. This is a missed opportunity by the Government sector to show leadership in purchasing more resource efficient and less polluting goods, services and works. For example, introduction of green criteria can deliver carbon reductions, conserve water, improve air and water quality and prevent waste.”
Summary Data.
Department.
No. of contracts over €25,000 signed in 2022 incorporating GPP.
Percentage of total spend reported on contracts over €25,000 signed in 2022 incorporating GPP.
Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science.
0
0%
Health.
4
9%
Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
5
12%
Justice.
2
not known*[*value of contracts not given]
Public Expenditure & Reform.
19
64%
Rural & Community Development.
8
96%
Social Protection.
25
17%
The Taoiseach.
10
88%
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media.
3
45%
Transport.
3
100%
The EPA report sets out the following five recommendations:
Assign senior level responsibility within government departments to prioritise the incorporation of GPP into procurement processes, including the Corporate Procurement Plan.
Include GPP data in Government Department Annual Reports.
The report ‘Green Public Procurement: Monitoring and Reporting by Government Departments, 2022 Reference Year’ is now available on the EPA website, HERE.
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