Drainage

My toilet is blocked / not flushing - what should I do?

If your toilet is not flushing i.e. when you pull the handle, water doesn't enter the toilet bowl - this is because, there isn't sufficient water in your water storage tank located in your attic (it hasn't been re-filling with water).

Check the cold tap at the kitchen sink; if there is no water, the water supply may be off.

If there is water coming from your cold-water tap in your kitchen, then there is not an issue with your mains water supply. The problem is likely to be an internal plumbing issue and you should contact your plumber.

If your toilet is blocked you should contact your plumber to fix the blockage. If your plumber diagnoses the problem as being outside your house, on the main public line you should contact Irish Water at 1800 278 278 to report the issue.

 

Where are the public toilets located in Galway City?

View a map of the locations of public toilets in the city.

Report a problem with a public toilet

Report a problem with a public toilet.

Alternatively, please contact the customer service team in Galway City Council on 091-536400.

Report sewerage overflowing from manhole on street

If you see sewerage overflowing on the street, or notice a strong odour of sewerage, please report it as soon as possible to Irish Water at 1800 278 278 to report the issue.

Report smell of sewerage on the street

If you see sewerage overflowing on the street, or notice a strong odour of sewerage, please report it as soon as possible to Irish Water at 1800 278 278 to report the issue.

Report Noisy Manhole Cover

Report a noisy manhole cover.

I have a septic tank on my property, what are my responsibilities?

If you have a septic tank or similar system, you must register its details on the Protect our Water website. The registration fee payable is €50. The fee is intended to cover the costs to the water services authorities of administering the registers and of managing the risk-based inspections to be carried out.  The legislation provides that those liable to register must have done so on or before 1st February 2013.  However, registration remains open and householders who have not yet registered should do so as soon as possible - there are no late payment fees.   It is an offence under the 2012 Act for a householder not to register and the penalty, on conviction, is a fine of up to €5,000.   


The new legislation has been framed to minimise the impact on householders and there will be no inspection charge.  The basic standard to be met by all domestic wastewater treatment systems is that they do not cause a risk to human health or the environment.  Regulations also provide for the proper operation and maintenance of treatment systems and set out de-sludging requirements.

Maintenance

Owners of domestic waste water treatment systems need to:

  • Know where their septic tank is located
  • Operate and maintain the system so it is fit for purpose and fully operational
  • Ensure that the system cannot pollute the environment by discharging or leaking waste anywhere it is not supposed to, that is, into the ground or any water source
  • Ensure that roof water or surface water run-off cannot enter a domestic waste water treatment system
  • De-sludge the system at intervals appropriate to the tank capacity and the number of people resident in the premises connected to it, or as recommended by the system's manufacturer. De-sludging should be carried out by an authorised contractor. You should keep the receipt from the contractor for 5 years.

For further information on Septic Tanks, Registration and other frequently asked questions, click here.

Will my septic tank be inspected?

The Environmental Protection Agency has developed a National Inspection Plan.

The Agency has used a risk-based approach in developing the plan.

Inspections under the new legislation are currently under way. You should take care not to allow uninvited persons, or persons claiming to be septic tank inspectors, to enter onto your property.

Your water services authority will formally notify you if your domestic wastewater treatment system is to be inspected. Inspectors will be required to carry identification and you should ask for this to be presented to you before they enter your property.

For further information please see https://www.protectourwater.ie