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Over half of septic tanks failed their 2020 inspection, says EPA
Over a fifth were also found to be a risk to human life or the environment.
Your contributions will help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you
Over a fifth were also found to be a risk to human life or the environment.
The EPA’s annual report shows that half of all septic tanks (1,160) failed inspection last year.
Cork had the highest number of failures.
A major issue is tanks not being emptied and cleaned regularly enough.
106 households in North Kildare will take part in the largest private group sewage scheme in Ireland.
The EPA says that most failures are down to poor maintenance.
Phil Hogan has thanked all who registered their septic tanks and said the “silent majority” supported the legislation.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan had vowed to wrap up EPA inspections – needed for the daily fines to stop – before end of last month but deadline has not been met.
76.6 per cent of homes had registered their tank by this morning – with 113,957 homes risking a €5,000 fine.
Minister Hogan urged the remainder of viable households to registers as soon as possible – noting inspections will begin in the coming months.
Kerry county has the highest registration rate – but Dublin city residents have a lot of ground to make up.
Those who don’t register by this Friday could face a fine of up to €5,000.
The ECJ also fines Ireland another €1.5 million for breach of European rules on environmental impact assessments.
To be eligible for a septic tank grant, householders must register by 1 February 2013.
The EU’s top court will rule later this month on whether Ireland’s new septic tank inspections are enough to avoid a fine.
Over 20,000 homes which are eligible for mandatory inspections have signed up in the last few days, but overall interest remains low.
The discount registration window shuts next Friday – with only a fraction of the 437,000 tanks registered at the lower rate.
If you don’t register your septic tank before or on 28 September, the price jumps from €5 to €50.
The number of registrations for mandatory inspections remains low, almost a month into the special €5 window.
It will cost €5 to register a septic tank between now and 28 September, and €50 after that date, until 1 February 2013.
Mattie McGrath – who isn’t even a member of the Oireachtas environment committee – was ordered out by the chairman.
The Department of the Environment says testing for the delayed registration is underway, and the rollout could be soon.
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The Environment Minister was speaking after he announced that the mandatory inspection fee for owners of septic tanks was reduced to €5 for the first three months.
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