39 per cent of septic tanks inspected in Galway last year failed

Galway Bay fm newsroom - 39 per cent of septic tanks inspected in Galway last year failed.

The failures fell under two categories: de-sludging and maintenance failures, and structural defects causing illegal discharges to streams, ponds and ditches.

In 2019, 101 septic tanks in Galway County were inspected by the local authority - 39 of which failed.

Nationally, 51 per cent of the 1,160 inspected systems failed - and more than a quarter were found to be a risk to human health or the environment.

Environmental Protection Agency inspector Noel Byrne says tanks can fail for a number of reasons.

To hear from Mr. Byrne, tune in to Galway Bay fm on the hour..