Over half of septic tanks in Clare failed inspections last year.
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency has raised concerns about delays in fixing faulty tanks across the country, which can affect people’s health and the environment.
The main reasons for the failures include structural defects, and a lack of maintenance.
Clare County Council completed 23 inspections, out of the 39 required in 2021, and is among four local authorities to report that the difference will be made up in 2022.
The report also states that 57% of the 163 systems that failed over the eight year period from 2013 were fixed by the end of last year.
Nationally, there was a 53% failure rate and EPA Inspector Noel Byrne is calling for greater enforcement by local authorities to ensure failed systems are fixed.