Old septic tanks could raise financial stink

UP to half of the old septic tanks installed to facilitate one-off housing in Clare before the adoption of stringent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines would probably fail the most up-to-date percolation test, a North Clare civil engineer has claimed.
Kilfenora-based civil engineer, Michael Daffy, has warned the European Union will impose severe financial penalties on Ireland until it gets its act together on the provision of proper on-site waste water treatment systems for soil with poor percolation qualities.
Because wastewater treatment is such a technical matter, Mr Daffy, who has been involved in the installation of septic tanks for 32 years, argued that ultimate responsibility in law should not rest solely with the householder, as they had the least amount of knowledge about this important matter.
If a serious problem develops with an on-site waste water system, he warned a resident could end up wasting time and money with a short-term solution, which is not in accordance with the EPA code of practice.
He alleged the Department of the Environment and Clare County Council does not have a coherent policy for rectifying these problems, particularly where a septic tank is polluting groundwater.
In the event that the area around a septic tank flooded and the soil could no longer provide adequate percolation, Mr Daffy warned that a resident could be forced to fork out up to €15,000 for remedial works including a requirement in an extreme case to discharge wastewater to a river or watercourse if it couldn’t be discharged to ground water.
Where a relatively minor problem develops with a septic tank on soil capable of dealing with wastewater, he estimated the cost could vary between €3,000 and €8,000.
He pointed out that the latest modern proprietary systems actually pose a greater risk if not properly installed and maintained because, by definition, they are located in poorer soils.
He claimed, historically, the percolation test was used by the council as a tool to refuse one-off housing.
Last week, Councillor Brian Meaney warned that the Department of the Environment could be forced to introduce a licensing and inspection system for septic tanks following a recent European Court of Justice ruling.
Mr Daffy pointed out a septic tank only plays a small roll in the overall treatment system of wastewater.
“The soil after the septic tank treats the wastewater is a much more important issue than the actual tank itself. It is a relatively easy matter to rectify a bad tank, but much more difficult to rectify poor soil,” he said.
A Clare County Council spokeswoman stated the performance of all wastewater treatment systems relied primarily on the soil attenuation capability in the percolation area.
Where un-sewered development is proposed, Clare County Council require that the site is assessed to ensure adequacy for proposed wastewater treatment and disposal, in accordance with the EPA guidance document.
“The householder responsibility is to ensure the completion of the development in accordance with the permission granted. This will include conditions that require the installation of the wastewater treatment system that was granted permission and its maintenance.
“There is a duty of care for every householder to ensure the discharges from their house do not give rise to water pollution, or a risk to public health. This duty is endorsed in legislation under the Water Pollution Act 1977-2007 and the Water Services Act 2007.
“The council enforce the provisions of these statutes. Where difficulties are identified with an on site system, council staff examine every aspect of the difficulty, including discussion with the householder to provide appropriate remedial action. There is currently no national statute governing the licensing of single house systems.
“There are numerous older systems in place, some of which are not giving rise to environmental difficulties. Where difficulties arise for older systems, the matter is addressed on the basis of what can reasonably be achieved to provide a solution for the development,” the spokeswoman explained.