Majority of septic tanks in Cork defective

More than 10,000 home-owners in Cork will not be able to avail of government grants to defray the potentially large cost of repairing defective septic tanks.

Louis Duffy, head of the county council environment directorate, has said that, on average, approximately 59% of septic tanks inspected in the county so far were non-complaint with regulations.

While many can be fixed by simple desludging, some have more serious defects requiring total replacement, which could cost householders in excess of €10,000.