Septic Tanks

There are approximately 12,500 individual domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) in Co Waterford. These systems treat the wastewater from toilets, showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers for houses and businesses that are not connected to the public sewer. Over 11,000 of these are septic tanks, with the remainder being one of a variety of proprietary package treatment plants.Domestic wastewater contains many different pollutants such as pathogens like E coli and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. The systems need to be maintained correctly to ensure they don’t threaten human health or the environment. For detailed guidance see: www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/guidance

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 regulates wastewater discharges from homes connected to a domestic wastewater treatment system. Householders have a duty of care to ensure their treatment system is maintained properly and not causing a risk to human health or the environment.

Local Authorities are inspecting DWWTS/septic tanks to check they are not causing problems.

Septic tank wastes contain high levels of bacteria and other potential disease-causing organisms, to ensure the safe operation of a DWWTS / Septic Tank it should be emptied (de-sludged) and serviced regularly. Failure to do so, can result in expensive repairs being required later such as replacing percolation areas as a result of their blocking with solids, or contaminating nearby wells.

The frequency of emptying a septic tank depends on its size and the number of people it serves. If you are unsure of the size of your tank, you should use the figures for 2.5m³.

The owner must obtain evidence of emptying or a receipt from the authorised contractor each time their tank is emptied and such evidence or receipt shall be retained for a period of five years.

Emptying of DWWTS / Septic tanks 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 the contents must be disposed of in accordance the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations 1998, the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 and the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2022

A specific provision for farmers to de-sludge their own tank and use the sludge in agriculture subject to them complying in turn to compliance with Sewage Sludge and Good Agricultural Practice Regulations.

Householders are obliged to check in advance that the contractors they use have the required permits and they should retain the receipt for 5 years as evidence of properly emptying their tank.

Hereunder is a list of contractors authorised to empty septic tanks who operate in Co Waterford.

If you have a septic tank or similar treatment system, you must register its details with your local authority and pay a registration fee.

There are 2 ways to register your system:

• Online at http://www.protectourwater.ie
• By post: You can download a form (pdf). Forms are also available by calling LoCall 1890 800 800 for information.
• Cheques should be made payable to ‘Protect Our Water’ and posted to Protect our Water, PO Box 12204, Dublin 7.

There are 3 categories which Grant Applications may fall under;

1. National Inspection plan (NIP)
2. Prioritised Areas for Action (PAA)
3. High Status Objective Catchment Areas ( HSOCA)