Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2026
500. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private wells identified as contaminated due to malfunctioning domestic wastewater treatment systems in the past five years. [49455/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra501. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to protect households relying on private wells from contamination caused by nearby septic tanks. [49456/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together.
My Department does not hold data on the number of private wells identified as contaminated as a result of malfunctioning domestic wastewater treatment systems.
A range of measures are in place to protect households relying on private wells and groundwater quality more generally. These include the inspection and regulatory system for domestic wastewater treatment systems, operated by local authorities in accordance with EPA guidelines. This identifies systems that may pose a risk to human health or the environment and ensures that remedial action is taken where required. Property owners remain responsible for ensuring that domestic wastewater treatment systems are properly installed, operated and maintained. Grant assistance towards remediation of defective domestic wastewater treatment systems may be provided in limited circumstances relating to risks to human health or contamination of water bodies.
My Department also provides support under the Private Wells Grant Scheme administered by local authorities to assist householders that are reliant on private water supplies to improve water quality and address issues in existing wells.
