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EPA finds almost six out of ten septic tanks fail inspection, putting drinking water wells and rivers at risk

Date released: May 18, 2026

  • Local authorities completed 1,466 septic tank inspections in 2025 targeting areas of greatest risk from an environmental and health perspective. 
  • Of these, 59 percent (863) failed inspection with many posing a risk to nearby rivers and drinking water wells. 
  • Since 2013, 7,212 septic tanks failed inspections, with 84 percent fixed by the end of 2025.
  • Improved resolution of faulty septic tanks by homeowners has been aided by increased Government grant support.   

19th May 2026: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2025, which details the findings of septic tank inspections completed by local authorities in 2025. 

In 2025, 1,466 septic tanks were inspected, with 59 percent (863) failing because they were not built or maintained properly. Faulty systems pose a risk to human health from harmful bacteria and viruses through the contamination of drinking water wells, and can pollute rivers and streams through releases of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

When septic tanks fail inspection, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix the problem. Of the 7,212 septic tanks that failed since inspections began in 2013, 84 percent had been fixed by the end of 2025. The number of failed systems with advisory notices unresolved for longer than two years reduced from 523 in 2024 to 442 in 2025.

Commenting on the report, Pat Byrne, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring said: 

“The gradual increase in the number of faulty septic tanks being fixed by homeowners since 2013 in response to failed inspections is welcomed, as these are in the areas of greatest risk to rivers and drinking water wells. This has been aided by increased Government grant aid and greater enforcement activities by proactive local authorities. However, more consistent and sustained enforcement is needed across all local authorities to ensure that faulty septic tanks are fixed as soon as possible and that public health and the environment is protected.”  

The grant schemes for remediation of septic tanks were amended in 2024 and  increased from €5,000 to €12,000.  There were 460 grants awarded in 2025, totalling nearly €4.77 million, up from 265 grants awarded in 2024.

Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager said: 

“In 2025, 59 percent of inspected septic tanks failed. This is a worrying statistic, as many homeowners may be exposing their families to health risks from contaminated private wells, or polluting local rivers, often without realising it. Regular checks and routine maintenance of septic tanks by homeowners can prevent minor issues becoming major problems, helping to protect their family’s health and the environment. Where eligible, homeowners should also make use of grant support of up to €12,000 to remediate faulty systems.”

There was a shortfall in inspections by three local authorities (Donegal, Fingal and Wexford) in 2025 and this shortfall must be made up in 2026, in addition to the planned inspections. The EPA will continue to monitor local authorities that are required to make up these shortfalls in 2026. 

Nine local authorities had less than 80 per cent of their issued advisory notices resolved by the end of 2025, which means that too many faulty septic tank systems continued to be a risk. Local authorities are required to ensure septic tanks that fail inspection are fixed by homeowners in an appropriate timeframe.

The report, Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2025, is available on the EPA website.

Contact:  Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office, 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie. 

Notes to Editor

The Water Services Act 2007, as amended, requires the EPA to make a National Inspection Plan with regard to the inspection and monitoring of septic tanks. The current plan is the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2022 - 2026. Under the plan, local authorities undertake a minimum of 1,200 each year from 2023, distributed by risk across the country. The EPA is responsible for the revision of the National Inspection Plan at least once in each 5-year period.  A review of the current National Inspection Plan is taking place in 2026, and a revised National Inspection Plan (2027-2031) will be published at the end of the year. 
Local authorities and the EPA have made information available to the public on the inspection process and on maintenance of systems on their websites.

Details of the eligibility criteria and level of grant are available on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website. In 2025, 460 grants totalling nearly €4.77million were awarded to assist homeowners with the cost of works for the remediation, repair, upgrade, or replacement of domestic waste water treatment system that pose a risk to human health and/or the environment.