The Economic and Social Research Institute research was carried out in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is based on a survey of over 1,800 registered owners of a domestic wastewater treatment system (DWWTS), i.e., septic tanks, which collected owners’ views and experiences related to drinking water, septic tanks, public health and the environment.
Key findings
- 1 in 5 septic tanks were not desludged in the past five years because owners believe it was not necessary.
- Only 1 in 5 private well owners had water tested in the past three years mostly because there is no (perceived) problem.
Policy recommendations
Drinking Water
- A new communications strategy should be developed to address the lack of well testing and make it easier for households to find a suitable testing laboratory.
Septic Tanks
- A recurring communications strategy should be developed to alert households of the public health and environmental damage risks of not undertaking regular septic tank maintenance.
The findings are similar to those of the Water Forum Consumer Survey that identified a lack of knowledge of water supply and treatment processes and also identifies the need for awareness around well testing.
