Septic Tanks

Domestic Waste-Water Treatment Systems

Over one-third of the population of Ireland lives in rural areas (CSO, 2017). Much of the waste water from such rural settlement patterns is disposed of to domestic waste water treatment systems (DWWTSs) of various types designed to treat the waste water on site.

Domestic waste water treatment systems are designed to discharge treated effluent to waters, generally in Ireland to groundwater via percolation through the soil and/or subsoil. The conservation and enhancement of the environment is a key objective for the future. It is vital that DWWTSs are installed and operated correctly to ensure the protection of both human health and the environment.

Domestic waste water treatment systems are designed to:

treat the waste water to minimise contamination of soils, subsoils and water bodies;
prevent direct discharge of untreated or partially treated waste water to groundwater or surface water;
protect humans from contact with waste water;
keep animals, insects and vermin from contact with waste water;
minimise the generation of foul odours.

Public health and water quality are threatened when DWWTSs fail to operate satisfactorily. System failures can result in waste water ponding or forming stagnant pools on the ground when the waste water is not absorbed by the soil and/or subsoil. In such circumstances, humans can be exposed to microbial pathogens and foul odours can be generated. Inadequately treated waste water that emits to the environment because of poor location, design and/or construction may lead to contamination of groundwater and surface waters, which in many areas are also used as drinking water supplies. EPA Code Of Practice: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Population Equivalent ≤ 10) 2021.

Louth County Council carry out septic tank inspections annually in accordance with the EPA’s National Inspection plan on domestic waste-water treatment systems 2022 to 2027 Click here

Grants for the upgrade and repair of waste water treatment systems are subject to the following:

To qualify for a septic tank grant you must: