More than half of septic tanks failed inspections in 2024

In all, 56% of septic tanks failed their inspections, and the EPA said it is critically important that households maintain their septic tanks given the risks from such failures.

Over half of septic tank inspections by local authorities failed last year, with a “significant number” identified as a risk to human health and the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said.

In 2024, 1,390 inspections were completed by councils around the country, with the areas chosen at greatest risk of pollution, the majority near rivers known to be at risk from domestic wastewater treatment systems.