 
                            Offaly had the highest failure rate of the three counties.
More than half of septic tanks inspected last year did not meet environmental standards.
The tests were carried out by local authorities across the country, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency.
There was a 51 per cent failure rate, and 26 per cent were found to be a risk to human health or the environment.
61 inspections were carried out in the midlands last year - with a 56 per cent failure rate in Offaly, 29 per cent in Laois, and 16 per cent in Westmeath.
EPA inspector Noel Byrne says bad septic tanks can be very dangerous:
He says there are a number of reasons why tanks fail:
 
                             
                             Tánaiste Reviews Infantry Battalion Ahead Of Lebanon Deployment
            Tánaiste Reviews Infantry Battalion Ahead Of Lebanon Deployment
         Laois TD ‘Couldn’t Stomach’ Taoiseach’s Fine Gael Backing
            Laois TD ‘Couldn’t Stomach’ Taoiseach’s Fine Gael Backing
         Disruption On Midlands Train Services Expected This Weekend
            Disruption On Midlands Train Services Expected This Weekend
         Man Escapes Injury After Car Fire In Westmeath
            Man Escapes Injury After Car Fire In Westmeath
         Midlands Soldiers Taking Part In Latest Deployment To Lebanon
            Midlands Soldiers Taking Part In Latest Deployment To Lebanon
         Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
            Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
         Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
            Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
         Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
            Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
         ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
            ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
         Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
            Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
         IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur
            IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur 
         Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
            Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
         Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
            Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
         Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club
            Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club
         Westmeath Gardaí Confiscate €7k In Illegal Cannabinoids
            Westmeath Gardaí Confiscate €7k In Illegal Cannabinoids
         Laois Councillor Honoured For 40 Years Of Public Service
            Laois Councillor Honoured For 40 Years Of Public Service
         Laois Man Appears In Court After €8m Cocaine Find
            Laois Man Appears In Court After €8m Cocaine Find
         Revenue Offering Help For Couriers After Fastway Closure
            Revenue Offering Help For Couriers After Fastway Closure
         Anonymous Westmeath Man Donates Unclaimed Cash To Charity
            Anonymous Westmeath Man Donates Unclaimed Cash To Charity
         Offaly Fianna Fail Councillor Adds To Scrutiny Of Taoiseach
            Offaly Fianna Fail Councillor Adds To Scrutiny Of Taoiseach