Maintaining your Septic Tank

A domestic wastewater treatment system or septic tank must be operated and maintained by its owner so that domestic wastewater or sewage effluent will not emit, discharge, seep, leak or otherwise escape from the system.

The owner of a domestic wastewater treatment system is responsible for its maintenance, renewal, costings and must ensure that its parts and components are fit for purpose, operational where appropriate and kept in good order and repair to prevent a risk to human health or the environment.

Every year you should check your system including all manholes for blockages, ponding, odours and noises every year.

You must use a permitted contractor to remove sludge from your system. Check your local authority website for a list.

If you are a farmer with your own land, you can spread the sludge but only in accordance with the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations. Keep records of desludging and maintenance for five years.

A well-maintained system in the right site with the right soil conditions will protect your health, your local environment and your pocket.

In certain circumstances upgrade/replacement grants of up to €12,000 for your domestic wastewater treatment system or septic tank may be available.

For advice on how you can complete a septic tank system check and on domestic wastewater treatment systems/septic tanks go to the following link on Cavan County Council’s website for info and guidance: www.cavancoco.ie/dwwts

For further information on water quality or any other queries you may have regarding protecting water quality, please contact the Environment Section of Cavan County Council on 049 437 8486 or email environ@cavancoco.ie.