Council renews appeal to Mayo householders to maintain and de-sludge septic tanks

MAYO County Council are tasked with the inspection of septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) under the Environment Protection Agency National Inspection Plan. With nearly 30,000 registered septic tanks in the county, there is a high risk of environmental pollution if they are not maintained and de-sludged (pumped out) on a regular basis.

Poorly maintained tanks are in danger of contaminating domestic wells and other water sources. The contaminated water from septic tanks can carry pathogens (bacteria/germs/bugs) and harmful chemicals that can cause serious illness and damage to the environment.

Currently 2 out of every 3 tanks inspected in Mayo are failing.

All homeowners are responsible to ensure their septic tank or treatment system is properly designed, constructed, installed, and maintained. They are encouraged to know where their septic tank and associated pipework and percolation area is located and to keep an eye out for signs of problems with the system. Slow draining toilets, sinks or baths, foul smells or pools of partially treated effluent sitting on the ground near the system could indicate a problem with the system.

As septic tanks are designed to treat wastewater from sinks, showers, washing machines and dishwashers as well as toilet waste, householders should be very mindful of what they place down sinks and toilets. Uncontaminated water such as rainwater from downpipes should not drain into your septic tank.

Grease such as fats and oils, food waste, chemicals and excess cleaning agents and bleach should not be placed down sinks or toilets. Toilet use should be based on the principals of the ‘Think Before You Flush’ campaign with the simple message being to only flush the 3 Ps (pee, poo and paper) down the toilet. Everything else goes in the bin.

Septic tanks should be serviced and de-sludged on a regular basis using a permitted waste collector and records should be kept for inspection. Owners of septic tanks must also ensure that their system is registered with ‘Protect our Water’ - www.protectourwater.ie.

For tips and guidance on looking after your septic tank, including a list of waste collectors permitted to de-sludge your tank, visit https://www.mayo.ie/environment/.lutioncontrol/water/septictanks.