Rearguard action on septic tank issue

It is hardly necessary for me to point out that we do not plan well in Ireland: as a nation — we are generally not pro-active and the septic tank issue is just another instance of us fighting, yet again, a rearguard action.

I would safely bet that the minister does not know how many tonnes of BOD and solids septic tank users dispose of annually (10 tonnes/day BOD or 100 tonnes per day BOD or some other value). How many septic tanks are working and how many are not? Yet he plans to tackle a problem that he may not have.

Your readers may be surprised to learn that water pollution legislation is in place here since 1977.