Septic tanks and water supply: what a rural Irish holiday let owner must do

The well is yours to look after

Two risks deserve naming. The first is your own tank: Citizens Information links a leaflet asking whether your well is at risk from your septic tank, which is exactly the question a rural site with both should answer. The second is microbiological. Infectious diseases are described as the biggest health risk from contaminated drinking water, caused by bacteria such as E. coli, also known as VTEC, and parasites such as Cryptosporidium, and they are singled out as very dangerous to children, older people, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Water can be contaminated without any change in colour, taste or smell, so a clear glass proves nothing. On lead, the HSE position quoted is that there is no safe level in drinking water, and lead was commonly used in Irish plumbing until the 1980s — relevant to any pre-1990 house you have refurbished rather than replumbed.