EPA issues warning over septic tank inspections shortfall in Limerick

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned Limerick City and County Council it may have to issue a legal direction if their shortfall in septic tank inspections is not addressed.

Local authorities completed 1,390 inspections under the National Inspection Plan (NIP) in 2024.
Limerick's council only completed 50 of last year's allocation of 111 and are required to make this up in 2025.

These findings are from the EPA's latest report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2024, which details the findings of septic tank inspections completed by local authorities.

Nationally of the septic tanks inspected in 2024, 56% failed because they were not built properly - the Limerick failure rate was 54%.

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Noel Byrne, EPA programme manager warned: “More than half of septic tanks failed inspection, which is a real concern. Householders’ water supplies and local rivers may be exposed to contamination from faulty septic tanks, which can pose a serious health risk to individuals and the local environment.”

A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said: “The Council acknowledges that inspection targets for 2024 under the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems were not met. This shortfall was primarily due to resourcing challenges.

“To address these challenges, the Council has a comprehensive inspection plan for 2025.”

Domestic waste water treatment systems, mostly septic tanks, are used by householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland.