Septic Tanks and Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems

In 2012 under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 a registration  inspection process was introduced for domestic waste water treatment systems including septic tanks which is aimed at protecting both ground and surface waters from the risks posed by systems that are poorly maintained or not functioning properly.

Owners of domestic waste water treatment systems are required to ensure that their systems are registered on www.protectourwater.ie.

Owners of domestic waste water treatment systems need to:

  • Know where their septic tank is located
  • Operate and maintain the system so it is fit for purpose and fully operational
  • Ensure that the system cannot pollute the environment by discharging or leaking polluting matter into the ground or any water source
  • Ensure that roof water or surface water run-off does not enter a domestic waste-water treatment system
  • De-sludge the system at intervals appropriate to the tank capacity and the number of people resident in the premises connected to it, or as recommended by the system’s manufacturer. De-sludging must be carried out by an authorised contractor

 

Waste Collection Permit Holders

You must use an authorised waste collector only. You can  choose from the list below or check online with the National Waste Collection Permit Office www.nwcpo.ie

 

Inspections

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a National Inspection Plan to help identify domestic wastewater treatment systems that are not meeting the expected standard. The national inspection plan sets out the requirements for:

  • minimum inspection numbers;
  • risk-based allocation of inspections;
  • selection of sites at local level;
  • enforcement of advisory notices; and
  • public engagement activities.

The inspections concentrate on areas with high risk to the environment and public health and in locations where drinking water sources or habitats are at risk from waste water discharges. Whilst inspections are carried out in lower risk areas, these are fewer in number.

Monaghan County Council will notify you if your septic tank or domestic waste water treatment system has been selected for inspection.  All Monaghan County Council inspectors are trained and formally approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. If following the inspection that your system is found to be working properly and being maintained correctly, no further action will be required.  However, if this is found not to be the case you will get an advisory notice from Monaghan County Council, requiring you to carry out remedial measures. Any such measures will be dependent on factors such as the nature of the problem, the extent of risk to public health or the environment, existing site size, and the hydrological and geological conditions present.

 

If you need to carry out this type of work, you may be able to get a grant to help with the cost of the work required.

Download the EPA Domestic Waste Water Report 2023.pdf

Grant Applications for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems

The grants are available to assist householders in County Monaghan with the cost of works for the remediation, repair, upgrade, or replacement of a domestic waste water treatment system (DWWTS).

Grants are available under three separate schemes:

  • DWWTS grant under the National Inspection Plan
  • DWWTS grant in Prioritised Areas for Action
  • DWWTS grant in High Status Objective Catchment Areas

 

Housing (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Grant under the National Inspection Plan) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 562 of 2023)

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responsibility for the preparation of a National Inspection Plan for the inspection and monitoring of DWWTS, in order to help identify DWWTS that are not meeting the expected standard. It is the responsibility of local authorities to implement the plan on behalf of the EPA.  The treatment system must have been inspected under the National Inspection Plan and an advisory notice issued by the local authority under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012.

 

Housing (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Grant for Prioritised Areas for Action) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 563 of 2023)

  • This grant was introduced to support the attainment of water quality objectives in Prioritised Areas for Action, as outlined in the national River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021 (RBMP).  The treatment system serves a house that is situated in a Prioritised Area for Action in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021, and a letter has been issued by the Local Authority Waters Programme Office on behalf of the relevant local authority, confirming eligibility to apply.

 

Housing (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Grant for High Status Objective Catchment Areas) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 564 of 2023)

  • This grant was introduced to support the attainment of water quality objectives in High Status Objective Catchment Areas as outlined in the national River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021 (RBMP).  The treatment system serves a house that is situated in a High Status Objective Catchment Area in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021, this can be checked by inputting an EIRCODE in the following map: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5eaae1b83cf84197b1f184a5ef7c2696 (use of Google Chrome web browser recommended)

 

You may be eligible to apply for a grant to your local authority if you meet the criteria set out in the Terms and Conditions for the scheme.

Please note that grants will not be paid towards the normal costs of ensuring a system is working properly e.g. maintaining, servicing or de-sludging a domestic waste water treatment system or septic tank

 

Standards

The EPA’s 2021 Code of Practice on Wastewater Treatment systems for single houses provides guidance on the site characterization, design, operation and maintenance of domestic waste water treatment systems. The Code of Practice  will assist authorities, developers, system manufacturers, system designers, installers and operators to deal with various systems.

Link to 2021 EPA Code of Practice for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems

The EPA in collaboration with the Network of Ireland’s Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (NIECE) Working Group on Engagement has produced an information leaflet on septic tank systems.  A Private Wells leaflet is also available.

 

Further information

You can contact Monaghan County Council or go to the EPA website  ‘Householder Information on septic tanks’ for more information.

There is also a detailed set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on protectourwater.ie.

Septic Tanks Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Septic Tank and other Wastewater Treatment Systems Guidelines (PDF)

Household Small Business Wastewater Treatment Record Sheet (PDF)