Sligo County Council are obliged to and will be undertaking septic tank/domestic wastewater treatment system inspections across the County in accordance with the EPA National Inspection Plan 2022-2026.
Operation & Maintenance of Septic Tanks/Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems
We would like to remind homeowners to check the condition of their septic tanks/domestic wastewater treatment systems, for signs of sewage overflows, blockages, any pools of effluent on lawns or in nearby ditches and streams.
The Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012 specify the following requirements in terms of operation, maintenance and de-sludging of domestic wastewater treatment systems.
- Roof water or surface water run-off must not enter the septic tanks/domestic wastewater treatment systems.
- The owner of the septic tanks/domestic wastewater treatment systems is responsible for its maintenance and renewal and shall ensure that its parts and components are fit for purpose, operational where appropriate and kept in good order and repair to prevent a risk to human health or the environment.
- The septic tanks/domestic wastewater treatment systems must be de-sludged at intervals appropriate to the tank capacity as recommended by the system’s manufacturer.
- De-sludging must be carried out by a contractor authorised under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 as amended by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 and contents disposed of in accordance with all relevant national legislative requirements.
- The owner should obtain evidence of de-sludging or a receipt from the authorised contractor each time their tank is de-sludged and such evidence or receipt shall be retained for a period of five years.
Further information in relation to the issue can be obtained at www.epa.ie and on the Sligo County Council website at Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems