Donal Hickey: Septic tank fix grants go up to €12k in January

An EPA report found that half of the septic tanks inspected failed to reach the required standards, with an additional 20% posing an immediate risk to human health and the environment

Half of Ireland’s septic tanks failed inspection in 2022. 20% were a risk to human health and the environment. 550 are not fixed more than two years after inspection. Picture: EPA Ireland

It could be described as unseen pollution. Around 500,000 homes not connected to a public sewage network depend on septic tanks — many of which are not working properly with resultant risks to human health and the environment.

In an effort to deal with the problem, improvement grants will rise from the current €5,000 to €12,000 from January 1.