20% of septic tanks across the country were not desludged in the past five years, according to the findings of new research.
The study, published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is based on a survey of over 1,800 registered owners of a domestic wastewater treatment system (DWWTS).
The researchers collected owners’ views and experiences related to drinking water, septic tanks, public health and the environment.
Septic tanks
The study found that in cases where households had not emptied their septic tank, the primary reason for not doing so is a belief that it is not necessary.
Interestingly, the cost associated with carrying out desludging was not indicated as a significant contributory reason.
For the households that desludge their septic tank, the majority are aware of the operational benefit of regular desludging, while a substantial minority are also aware of the environmental protection benefits.
Most households indicated that they have never experienced specified symptoms of a malfunctioning septic tank.
Around 10% of surveyed households had observed symptoms of poorly functioning septic tanks within the past five years, with most attempting to resolve these issues.
Of the two-in-ten that have not attempted to fix a malfunctioning septic tank the most prevalent reasons for not doing so is that the problem is not perceived as severe, or that it is too much hassle to fix.
Households with ultraviolet light treatment on their drinking water supplies are half as likely to desludge their septic tank compared to those without ultraviolet light treatment.
Drinking water
The research also found that most households sourcing their drinking water from a private well do not regularly send their water for laboratory testing, as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Just one in five households with a private well supply has had its water tested in the past three years.
Households with members who have health vulnerabilities are not more likely to test their drinking water than those without such health issues.
The study recommends that new communications strategies should be developed to highlight the importance of regular testing of drinking water from private supplies.
It adds that an approved list of certified testing laboratories should be maintained to make it easier for households to choose a suitable testing laboratory.
A communications strategy is also recommended to alert households of the public health and environmental damage risks of not undertaking regular septic tank maintenance.
The study adds that inspections of domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS), including septic tanks, should “increase substantially”.
Commenting on the findings, Professor John Curtis, the author of the study, said:
“While most septic tanks are regularly maintained, where that is not the case, there are risks to public health via contaminated drinking water supplies, and also to the environment.
“Lack of awareness of the environmental and health risks is a key issue, but apathy is also prevalent.
“Therefore, policy action should include an educational element, as well as, greater enforcement actions.”