Here in Ireland, approximately 1/3 of all homes are serviced by a septic tank whose function is to collect, treat and discharge wastewater safely and effectively. As a homeowner with a private septic tank system it is your responsibility to know what regulations you must adhere to. In this blog we take a look at the responsibilities you have as a septic tank owner, and the septic tank regulations in Ireland for 2022.

You must register your septic tank

The Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Regulations 2013 set out that homeowners with domestic septic tanks are required to register it with the Local Authority and pay a registration fee of €50. It is necessary to re-register your septic tank every five years but no additional fee will be charged. All new septic tanks must be registered within 90 days of connection.

To register your septic tank visit protectourwater.ie and fill in the online registration form or download the form and post it along with the fee to Protect Our Water, PO Box 12204, Dublin 7.

Homeowners must also adhere to the following regulations:

• You must be aware of the location of your septic tank. Consult site plans, drainage plans etc. to assist in determining its location.
• You must operate and maintain your septic tank so that it works effectively and safely.
• You must examine your septic tank at least once a year to ensure that it is not polluting the local environment by leaking wastewater into the ground or water sources.
• You must desludge or empty your septic tank at regular intervals which are determined by the capacity of your tank and by the number of people resident at the property that it services. This work must be carried out by an authorised contractor and you must retain the receipt for the work carried out for at least five years.

Septic tank inspections:

In addition to these stipulations, homeowners with septic tanks will have their systems subjected to inspections by personnel from the Local Authority which are carried out free of charge. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that the regulations are being adhered to and to ensure that your septic tank is in good working order.

The Environmental Protection Agency coordinates these inspections through the National Inspection Plan with the greatest focus on areas at the most risk of septic tank impact on surface water, groundwater or human health. Priority is given to non-registered systems in high-risk areas first. As the system makes use of the Geodirectory all houses have a chance of being picked. The current plan in use is the National Inspection Plan 2022-2026.

If your septic tank is chosen to be inspected, there may be no further action necessary on your part. Alternatively, you may have to address any issues with your septic tank that might have been raised by the inspection. You should note that there is grant assistance available from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government for homeowners whose septic tanks require remedial works following an inspection.

While this may seem a burden to some homeowners, it is important to realise that these regulations will ensure that septic tanks In Ireland are maintained and repaired where necessary preventing danger to human health and the environment.

At Carlow Concrete Tanks, we’re one of the leading suppliers of septic tanks in Ireland. Contact our expert team today and have your septic tank inspected and serviced. This will help maintain the systems performance and ensure you are meeting all of the regulatory requirements.

Originally posted July 16th 2014