English KINNITTY WASTE WATER TREATMENT WORKS … · aSW-Id 2 1 7839 / 2061 35 Parameter Results...

s Telephone . 295 2321 Facsimile : 295 4541 E-mail . [email protected]

Consulting Engineers

Administration, Environmental Licensing Programme, ‘4- Office of Climate Licensing & ResourcyfJse, Environmental Protection Agency, “*rr, Headquarters, PO Box 3000 Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford.

For the attention of Ms. Yvonne English

Dear Sirs,

KINNITTY WASTE WATER TREATMENT WORKS - DISCHARGE LICENCE - APPLICATION REGISTER NO. D0363-01

Copies of the enclosed updated tables D.l(i)(b), D.l(i)(c), F.(i)(a) & F.l(i)(b) for downstream monitoring point and tables F. 1 (i)(a) & F. 1 (i)(b) for upstream monitoring point which were referred to in item (4) of our letter to you dated 5th April 201 1 are enclosed (2 No) herewith together with a CD ROM containing a digital copy of the same.

Palrick J,Cassidy, BE, DAL Eurlng. CEng. FIEI. MCIWEM. IvlClAib. RCons El Michael Moriarty. BE , MEngSc CEng MlEI RCons El Associate. Edward FitzGerald, BE. CEny MIEI. MICE. MCIWEM. RCons El Charles P O’Farrell, BE, Eu:lng, CEny. FIEI. FlSlructE MClArb RCms El Diarrnuid Cahalane. BE. MEngSc. CEng MIEI. MCIWEM

1 Established 1937

Registered Company T 3 0 Connor and Associates Ltd Registered in lielana No 450210

m FlDlC w

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WWD Licence Application Annex I

Table D. 1 (i)(b): EMISSIONS TO SURFACE/GROUND WATERS - Characteristics of The Emission (Primary Discharge Point)

Discharge Point Code: SW-1

For Orthophosphate: this monitoring should be undertaken on a sample filtered o For Phenols: USEPA Method 604, AWWA Standard Method 6240, or

WWD Licence Application - Kinnitty - Page: 3

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W D Licence Application Annex I

Zinc Boron Cadmium

Mercury

Selenium

Barium

Table D. l (i)(c): DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE EMISSIONS TO SURFACEIGROUND WATERS - Characteristics of The Emission (Primary Discharge Point)

0.000001085 0.000001206

12

3

5 0.000005065

pgll Grab = 0.009 pg/I Grab c 0.01 clgll Grab c 0.00002 0.0000000024

c 0.00005 0.0000000060 lJgll Grab

Pg/l Grab = 0.0009 0.00000001 08

pgll Grab = 0.042

Discharge Point Code: SW-1

For Orthophosphate: this monitoring should be undertaken on a sample filtered on 0.45pm filter paper For Phenols: USEPA Method 604, AWWA Standard Method 6240, or equivalent.


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WWD Licence Amlication Annex I

Discharge Point Code: MONITORING POINT CODE: Grid Ref (1 2 digits, 6E, 6N)

TABLE F. l (i)(a): SURFACE/GROUND WATER MONITORING

Primary Discharge Point

sw-1 aSW-Id 2 1 7839 / 2061 35

Parameter Results (mgll) Sampling Limit of Analysis method Quantitation method I

technique 30/03/09 07/04/09 I23/04/09 30/04/09

For Orthophosphate: this monitoring should be undertaken on a sample filtered on 0.45pm filter paper For Phenols: USEPA Method 604, AWWA Standard Method 6240, or equivalent.

Additional Comments: 'O'=Unknown 'O'= U nknwon


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Discharge Point Code: MONITORING POINT CODE: Grid Ref (12 digits, 6E, 6N)

TABLE F.l (i)(b): SURFACE/GROUND WATER MONITORING (Dangerous Substances)

sw-1 aSW-1 u 220000 / 206240

Parameter Results (pgA) Sampling Limit of Analysis method Quantitation method I

technique 30/03/09 I07/04/09 I23/04/09 I30/04/09

Additional Comments:

WWD Licence Application - Kinnitty - Page: IO

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TABLE F. l (i)(a): SURFACE/GROUND WATER MONITORING


s w - 1 aSW-1 u 220000 / 206240


For Orthophosphate: this monitoring should be undertaken on a sample filtered on 0.45prn filter paper For Phenols: USEPA Method 604, AWWA Standard Method 6240, or equivalent.

'O'=Unknown 'x'=Not taken 'O'=Unknwon


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TABLE F. l (i)(b): SURFACE/GROUND WATER MONITORING (Dangerous Substances)


sw-1 aSW-Id 2 17839 / 2061 35

Results (pgll)


WWD Licence Application - Kinnifty - Page: 8

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P ? ; 3 6 1 aka 3

Administration, Environmental Licensing Programme, Office of Climate Licensing & Resource Use, Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters, PO Box 3000 Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford.

For the attention of Ms. Yvonne English

Dear Sirs,

KINNITTY WASTE WATER TREATMENT WORKS - DISCHARGE LICENCE - APPLICATION REGISTER NO. D0363-01

We refer to your letter of 27 July 2010 to Offaly County Council in connection with the above application. We have been authorised by Offaly County Council to prepare a response to the letter on their behalf.

In accordance with the letter, we have prepared the additional information requested as described below.

1. A new WWTP inKinnitty was proposed to the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) under the Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP) Assessment of Needs 2010 - 2012, on the 23rd October 2009. Unfortunately it was not included on the published WSIP for 2010 - 2012 which was announced the week ending 23rd April 2010. As no capital funding has been allocated for the construction of the new WWTP, we are not able to say at this point in time, how we will fund any major plant upgrades, not included in this year's WSIP. However, under the WSIP, the DEHLG have allowed for an annual review of progress on listed schemes and we will endeavour to use this review to resubmit an application for funding in the 1 st review of the annual programme.

2. The existing population equivalent (p.e.) is broken down in the attached table in appendix A and a summary of the domestic, commercial and trade source is shown below:

I P.E. Source I P. E. Contribution I I Domestic I 549 I I Commercial I 188 I I Trade Effluent I 0

3. As far as is known, the nearest drinking water abstraction point downstream of Kinnitty WWTW is the Birr Water Treatment Works, Co. Offaly, and is

Patrick J Cassidy BE. EAL. Eurlng. CEig FiEI MCIWIEM !VICIII:S RCOPS Ei Edward FitzGeiald, 3E. i E r q h4IEI. iMlCE. MCIWEM *cons EI

ivlichael Moriasty, BE, MEngSc CEng. MiEi RCons El 'Charles P O'Farreil. BE ~uring. CEng FIEI, FiS!ructE. hlCIAib, Rcons Ei

Associate Diarmud Cahalane BE. M E I ~ S C , C E E ~ iviiEi MCIWEM

1 Established 1937

Registeiod Company T J O'Gmnos arid Associates Ltd. Registered in Ireland No 450210

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located approximately 1 lkm downstream of Kinnitty WWTW effluent point. As illustrated by the assimilative capacity calculations in Section F.l of the Waste Water Discharge License Application, there is a high flow-rate in the receiving waters and therefore, good dilution provided to the treated effluent. This, in addition to the distance of the drinking water abstraction point downstream from the effluent point and considering the River Camcor’s confluence with the Fuarawn River between the discharge point at Kinnitty WWTW and Birr Water Treatment Works, it is not considered that the effluent from Kinnitty WWTW will have any significant effect on the quality of drinking water from this location.

4. Please find attached updated tables D. l(i)(b), D.l(i)(c), tables F.(i)(a) & IF. 1 (i)(b) for downstream monitoring point and tables F. 1 (i)(a) & F. 1 (i)(b) for upstream monitoring point which include the requested emission details. Please note, these tables have been fully populated and submitted using the web-reporting tool.

5. The Flow diagram has been completed in accordance with the Department of the Environment Circular L8/08 and is attached in Appendix B. An Ecologist has been appointed by Offaly County Council to complete screening and any required Appropriate Assessments for discharging into these receiving waters. The completed report is attached, in Appendix C, indicating that Kinnitty will not have any significant impact and therefore no Stage 2 assessment is required.

6. The overflow located at the Primary Settlement Tank at Kinnitty WWTW was built prior to the publication of ‘Procedures and Criteria for Storm Water Overflows’, we would conclude that the storm water overflows may not meet the design criteria established in this document. It was proposed with the upgrade, under the WSIP, to design out this overflow from the WWTW process.

7. Please note that the storm water overflow at the inlet to the treatment works is no longer in use.

A revised non-technical summary has been included reflecting the information supplied in this response, insofar as this information impinges on the non-technical summary.

Any drawings subject to revisions as a consequence of the EPA’s request have been revised and included in this response. A list of drawing titles, drawing numbers and revision status’ correlating the revised drawings with the superseded drawings has also been provided.

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Please note 2 No. hardcopies o f all documents have been provided (1 No. original and 1 No. copy), in addition to a CD-ROM containing all information in electronic searchable PDF format.

We trust that we have now provided the Agency with all o f the information required, but i f you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Appendix A:

3 1/01/2008

KINNITTY PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED 2007-2010

AIDAN BALLINCUR, CONSTRUCTION OF A MIXED COUGHLAN KINNITTY, CO. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OF 18

Development Description Granted 1 Applicant 1 Development Date Name Address

OFFALY NO. 2 STOREY DWELLING HOUSES CONSISTING OF 2 NO. DETACHED THREE BED HOUSE TYPE 1,3 NO. DETACHED FOUR BED HOUSE TYPE 2 , 3 NO. DETACHED FOUR BED HOUSE TYPE 3 ,2 NO. DETACHED FOUR

DETACHED THREE BED HOUSE TYPE 5 ,4 NO. DETACHED THREE BED HOUSE TYPE 6 AND

BED HOUSE TYPE 4 , 4 NO. SEMI-

ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS 0/06/20101KEITH GARRY IBALLINCUR, 18 NO. SINGLE STOREY

KINNITTY, CO. RETIREMENT UNITS TO FORM OFFALY PART OF A PROPOSED

RETIREMENT COMPLEX IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROPOSED ADJOINING NURSING HOME AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

CONSIST OF A SINGLE STOREY OVER SEMI BASEMENT 60 BED NURSING HOME TO FORM PARI OF A PROPOSED RETIREMENT COMPLEX IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROPOSED ADJOINING RETIREMENT UNITS, NEW ENTRANCE AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

0/06/20 10 KEITH GARRY BALLINCUR, DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL KINNITTY, CO. OFFALY

4/02/2007 VINMAR LISMONEY, EXTEND SITE BOUNDARIES CONSTRUCTION KINNITTY, CO. AND CONSTRUCT 4 NO.

OFFALY ADDITIONAL DWELLINGS, CHANGE OF HOUSE TYPE ON DWELLING NUMBERS 7,s AND ANCILLARY WORKS ON PREVIOUS APPROVED DEVELOPMENT (PLANNING REF. NO. 04/1298)

7/09/2007 PASCAL MAIN STREET, DEMOLISH EXISTING TWO CAMPBELL 3ALLINCUR, STOREY RETAILIRESIDENTIAL

CINNITTY, CO. PREMISES AND IFFALY CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TWO

STOREY PREMISES COMPRISING OF SHOP UNIT ON GROUND FLOOR AND 3 NO. APARTMENTS ON FIRST FLOOR WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS

kdditional PE due to Granted Planning

4

P.E

54

54

75

12

6

201

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KINNITTY 2007 Total Number of houses - 165 3 No. B&B 3 No. small shops 1 No. Church 1 No. B&B/pub 1 NO. School - 150 1 No. Health Centre 1 No. Mechanic 1 No. restaurant/B&B 1 No. Post Office 1 No. pub 1 No. Garda Station Total Population on Scheme in 2007 Add Additional Population with granted Planning Total Overall Loading on Waste Water Treatment Works

5

P.E. 478.5

15 1.5 0.5 5

28 0.5 0.5 5

0.5 0.5 0.5 536 20 1

, 73 7

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Appendix B:

.-“ _“Ixl “------

x__*--% 1.

Is the development in a nature conservation

---“.. 4 +*

% -i

2.,

water abstraction/ discharge:)

Is the development in the surface water

catchment of a nature conservation site (or part of such a site)?

2b. (If the development

involves a groundwater water abstraction/

discharge:) Is the development in

the groundwater catchment or within 5km (whichever is

greater) of a nature conservation site (or

water dependent Annex I1 species,

other rare or 5.

....................... L... Yes .............................. “\Po :\

: \~\ i \ 6.

”., Does this plan cover i all potential receptors

(habitats/species)? ” a.

To *’\ ...........................................................

/ Yes \ $\

1

I \$$~ \\ i I Use WPD sub-basin

ASSESS IMPACTS

Flow Diagram

6

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Flow Diagram Questions (Refer to flow diagram above)

1 Is the development in a nature conservation site? Answer: No

2a (If the development involves a surface water abstraction /discharge) Is the development in the surface water catchment of a nature conservation site (or part of such a site)? Answer: Yes. The effluent from Kinnitty WWTW discharges into the River Camcor in Co. Offaly, which flows into the Little Brosna River to the west of Birr. The Little Brosna River then flows into the River Shannon between Banagher and Portumna, where the Little Brosna River Callows and Shannon Callows are located.

3 a Are the qualifying habitats and species of the site water dependent? Answer: Yes, including Otters which are Annex 11 species.

5. Is there a WFD sub-basin plan for the site or its protected habitats/species? Answer: Yes. Draft River Basin Management Plan for the Shannon International River Basin District published in December 2008.

6. Does this plan cover all potential receptors (habitatdspecies)? Answer: Yes, as far as is known.

Conclusion: Use WFD sub-basin plan as basis of impact assessment - Assess Impacts.

Impact Assessment Offaly County Council has engaged an Ecologist to complete an Appropriate Assessment for discharging into these receiving waters. It is expected that the assessment will be completed by February 2010. On receipt, the completed assessment will be submitted to the EPA in response to this notice.

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Revised Drawing List

Dwg No. Drawing Title Kinnitty-02 Site Layout Kinnitty-04 Site Boundary Map Kinnitty-06 Primary Discharge Point

Revision Status A A A

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Kinnitty WWTP Offaly County Council

Wastewater Discharge License Application

SECTION A: NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Advice on completing this section is provided in the accompanying Guidance Note.

A non-technical summary of the application is to be included here. The summary should identify all environmental impacts of significance associated with the discharge of waste water associated with the waste water works. This description should also indicate the hours during which the waste water works is supervised or manned and days per week of this supervision.

The following information must be included in the non-technical summary:

A description of:

the waste water works and the activities carried out therein, the sources of emissions from the waste water works, the nature and quantities of foreseeable emissions from the waste water works into the receiving aqueous environment as well as identification of significant effects of the emissions on the environment, the proposed technology and other techniques for preventing or, where this is not possible, reducing emissions from the waste water works, further measures planned to comply with the general principle of the basic obligations of the operator, i.e., that no significant pollution is caused; measures planned to monitor emissions into the environment.

Supporting information should form Attachment N" A . l

Application Form. doc Page 7 of 31

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A description of the Wastewater Treatment Works and the activities carried out therein

Kinnitty is served by a combined sewerage collection system which discharges to a wastewater treatment plant on the Kilcormac Road, to the north-west of the village. The collection system and the original treatment plant date from the early 1970s.

The existing sewerage network comprises mainly combined sewers, with most of the houses within the development boundary served by this system. All of the sewers drain by gravity to the WwTW and there are no pumping stations or combined sewerage overflows within the sewerage system.

The wastewater from the village sewerage network enters the WwTW via a 300mm0 inlet sewer. The treatment plant originally comprised a communal septic tank which produced a relatively poor quality of effluent. This, coupled with pressures to grant planning approvals to construct new houses in the village, resulted in the council undertaking an interim scheme to improve the quality of the effluent from the plant and to provide a small increase in the treatment capacity available. These interim works were completed in the summer of 2008 and comprised the installation of two Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) units downstream of the existing septic tank. The original septic tank remains in place and currently functions as a primary settlement tank. A Hydro-brake flow control system was also added to the plant and located at the inlet to the primary settlement tank (previously the septic tank). The Hydro-brake controls the flow of wastewater into the WwTW to the design flow for the RBCs. Any flow over this level is directed, through a series of overflow pipes, to a 300mm0 outfall pipe to the River Camcor. From the Hydro-brake system, the wastewater flows to the primary settlement tank where the majority of settleable solids are removed from the wastewater. The settled wastewater is then distributed through a splitter chamber and enters the 2 No. Rotating Biological Contactors (RBCs), via two 150mm0 inlet pipes, where it then undergoes a secondary biological treatment process. The treated effluent is then discharged into the Camcor River via 225mm0 and 300mm0 outfall pipes (refer to drawing nos. Kinnitty-01 and Kinnitty-02 in Attachment A . l for plant location, plant layout and process flow diagrams for treatment works). The interim works provide treatment to a secondary (25/35) standard for a population equivalent of 750.

I n accordance with Offaly County Council sludge management plant, sludge from Kinnitty is exported to Birr for dewatering prior to onward transportation to Tullamore for treatment and disposal. Though no figures are available for volumes of sludge transported from the interim plant layout, approximately 14m3 of sludge was transported to Birr every month prior to these works being carried out.


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The plant is supervised for up to 2 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The sources of emissions from the wastewater treatment works

The pollution load for the Kinnitty agglomeration arises from the following areas: 0 The local population

Local schools Local pubs, shops and business premises

The pollution load from these sources varies with daily, weekly and seasonal producers of effl uen t .

The nature and quantities of foreseeable emissions from the wastewater treatment works into the receiving aqueous environment, as well as identification of significant effects of the emissions on the environment

The final effluent from Kinnitty WwTW is discharged into the River Camcor, with discharge volumes averaging approximately 121m3/day. The results from the most recent monitoring of the treated effluent from the Kinnitty plant show that Suspended Solids(SS) and COD concentration levels are within those limits set by the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations, 2001 (SI 254/2001), with the small number of occasional exceedances recorded allowable within the terms of the Regulations. Effluent concentration values for SS and COD average at 21.2mg/l and 86.5mg/l respectively over the previous 12 months. BOD values over the last 12 months have been elevated above the 25mg/1 limit set in the Regulations. The measured exceedances of BOD limits are thought to have occurred as a direct result of hydraulic overloading of the Rotating Biological Contactors (RBCs). These increased flows caused mechanical failures with the RBCs‘ motors due to flooding. With the RBCs not functioning correctly, BOD concentration levels in the effluent increased. A new overflow was completed at Kinnitty WwTW at the end of April 2009, to ensure that flows through the RBCs do not exceed the design flows. As a result, the RBCs are now running satisfactorily, which is expected to decrease BOD levels to acceptable values.

Although the WwTW at Kinnitty does not provide for the removal of phosphorus, water quality data for the receiving waters downstream of the effluent point shows a minimum quality rating of Q4, which is described as ‘Unpolluted’ in the Phosphorus Regulations, 1998 (SI 258/1998). However, Offaly County Council have undertaken assimilative capacity calculations, in connection with a preliminary report, to provide for phosphorus removal at the plant and propose to provide this by chemical dosing as part of the permanent upgrading of the WwTW.

As previously discussed, the recent upgrading works have brought about an improvement in the quality of the treated effluent from the works, over the septic tank discharge, which had previously been in place. Offaly County Council proposes to undertake further improvement works in the form of a new inlet

I Application Form. doc Page 9 of 31

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Suspended Solids Total Phosphorus


35 mg/l

2 mg/l

works, new primary tanks and ferric dosing to remove phosphorus, following approval from the DoEHLG. These works will maintain the current design population equivalent of 750 with final effluent discharge standards as shown in Table A . l below.

I Parameter I Effluent Limit I 1 BOD I 25 ma/l I

The proposed BOD, COD and Suspended Solids limits are in line with those limits set by the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations, 2001 (SI 254/2001). Although the Camcor River is not classified as a nutrient sensitive river, the limit of 2mg/l for total phosphorus is equal to that set for nutrient sensitive rivers in SI 254/2001. As mentioned above, it is proposed to provide ferric dosing to effect chemical precipitation of phosphorus to achieve the 2mg/l effluent standard proposed.

Environmental Impacts

No EIS was required in connection with the construction of the original plant or in connection with the interim upgrading work, which were completed in 2008.

OThe proposed technology and other techniques for preventing or, where this is not possible, reducing emissions from the waste water works

Technologies The proposed upgrade works include a new inlet works and the construction of two new primary settlement tanks complete with sludge withdrawal.

Techniques Continued operation of the upgraded WwTW and the further upgrading works described above.

Further measures planned to comply with the general principle of the basic obligations of the operator, i.e., that no significant pollution is caused

Prevention of pollution Any alteration/upgrading of the existing infrastructure undertaken by Offaly County Council shall not increase the potential to cause pollution in the environment. I n particular, any alterations to the Wastewater Treatment Works will be designed to enable any operator of the facility to prevent pollution of the environment by the following potential contaminants:

0 Surface water run-off


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0 Spillages 0 Solid Waste

Toxic Substances Offaly County Council operates a trade discharge licensing system, under which all significant non-domestic discharges to the collection system in Kinnitty and elsewhere in County Offaly must be licensed by the council. No proposals providing for the discharge of toxic substances above acceptable limits would be permitted.

Measures planned to monitor emissions into the environment Offaly County Council undertakes routine monitoring of the influent and effluent water quality at Kinnitty WwTW, as well as at monitoring stations on the Camcor River. The effluent monitoring is undertaken on a tri-monthly basis (i.e. a minimum of 4 samples per year). This exceeds the requirements of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations, which do not specify a minimum annual number of samples for WwTW serving a PE of less than 2,000.


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OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL Comhairle Chontae Uibh Fhaili

Offaly Small Schemes Discharge Licences

NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT

JANUARY 201 1

C O N S U L T I N G E N G I N E E R S

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, - - F i Y A N

cc

CLIENT

28.01.1 1

PROJECT NO

I

PROJECT TITLE

I

REPORT TITLE

I

Rev.

1

Quality Control

Offa ly County Council

21 13

Of f a l y Small Schemes Discharge Licences

Natura Impact Statement

Status

Issue

Author(s) I Reviewed By

GH cc

Approved By I Issue Date

Wicklow W’NTP Discharges - hi15 Page 2

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L

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 4

BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 4

APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT - LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT ............................................... 5

NATURA 2000 SITES ........................................................................................................... 8

SCHEME LOCATIONS .......................................................................................................... 9

2 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................... 1 1

2.1 DESK STUDY ....................................................................................................................... 11

2.2 CONSULTATION ................................................................................................................ 11

2.3 FIELD SURVEYS .................................................................................................................. 11

3 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................... 12

4 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................ 13

RIVER SHANNON CALLOWS CSAC / MIDDLE SHANNON CALLOWS SPA ........ 13

RIVER BARROW AND RIVER NORE CSAC ................................................................... 13

DOVE GROVE CALLOWS SPA ...................................................................................... 14

CHARLEVILLE W O O D CSAC ........................................................................................... 14

APPENDIX 1 ........................................................................................................ 15

APPENDIX 2 ........................................................................................................ 38

APPENDIX 3 ........................................................................................................ 45

APPENDIX 4 ........................................................................................................ 51

1 . 1

1 . 2

1 . 3

1 . 4

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

Wicklow WViTP Discharges . NIS Page 3

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c

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers have been contracted by Offaly County Council to

carry out an assessment of the potential ecological impacts of a series of wastewater

treatment plant discharges and prepare a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). This NIS will

subsequently be used to inform the Appropriate Assessment carried out by the Council.

The Offaly Small Schemes bundle consists of the following 26 agglomerations:

Ballycumber

Banagher

Belmont

Brackna g h

Clara

Cloghan

Clon bullogue

Cloneygowan

Coolderry

Daingean

Edenderry

Ferbane

Geashill

Ki Ico rm ac

Ki I I ei g h

Kinnitty

Leamonaghan

Moneyg a I I

Mountbolus

Mucklagh

Rahan

Rhode

Shannon Harbour

Shannonbridge

Shinrone

Walsh Island

An Appropriate Assessment was carried out for the Rhode W W T P in March 2009. The

Edenderry WWTP was licensed by the EPA in July 201 0.

Applications for Waste Water Discharge Licences or Certificates for the remaining

agglomerations have been submitted to the EPA by Offaly County Council in

accordance with the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 (SI 864

of 2007). Section F of the waste water discharge licence application requires an

assessment of the impacts of discharges on the existing environment.

Where such discharges occur within the catchment of a Natura 2000 site, EPA

guidelines state that ‘Initial Screening’ be carried out in accordance with Appendix 1

of the Circular L8/08 entitled “Water Services Investment and Rural Water

Offaly WWTP Discharges - NIS rn Page 4

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Programmes - Protection of Natural Heritage and National Monuments” issued by the

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DoEHLG) in 2008.

Should the outcome of this screening process indicate that negative effects to any

Natura site cannot be ruled out, a full ‘Appropriate Assessment’ is to be carried out.

Further details on the various stages of Appropriate Assessment are included in Section

1.2.

An initial screening of the respective agglomerations in accordance with Circular L8/08

excluded the following WWTPs from further assessment, on the basis of the fact that

they were unlikely to have significant adverse effects on a Natura 2000 site owing to

the distance from such sites and the small-scale nature of the treatment facility. These

12 agglomerations were:

Clonbullogue

Walsh Island

Rahan

Mountbolus

Moneygall

Leamonaghan

Killeigh

Geashill

Coolderry

Cloneygowan

Bracknagh

Ballycumber

A report detailing the screening flowcharts and rationale for excluding the above

plants was submitted to Offaly County Council prior to the publication of this document

to facilitate the expedient processing of the licensing certificates by the EPA.

The purpose of this Natura Impact Statement is to determine the ecological effects, if

any, of the remaining 12 WWTPs (Banagher, Belmont, Clara, Cloghan, Daingean,

Ferbane, Kilcormac, Kinnitty, Mucklagh, Shannonbridge, Shannon Harbour and

Shinrone) to further assess if any of the predicted impacts have the potential to have

significant negative impacts on the qualifying interests or on the conservation objectives

of the respective Natura 2000 sites.

1.2 Appropriate Assessment - legislative Context

The EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural

habitats and of wild flora and fauna) contains a list of rare habitats and species (Annex

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b-

I and II respectively); the conservation of these is considered to be of European and

International importance. Similarly, the EU Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EC

on the conservation of wild birds) aims to protect specific bird species considered to be

at risk. Member states have the responsibility to designate geographic sites according

to their conservation value for the aforementioned habitats and species, namely

Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, which together form a

network referred to as Natura 2000; see Section 1.2.

Paragraph 3 of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive state that:

6(3) Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of

the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in

combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate

assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation

objectives. In the light of the conclusions of the assessment of the implications for

the site and subject to the provisions of paragraph 4, the competent national

authorities shall agree to the plan or project only after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site concerned and, if appropriate,

after having obtained the opinion of the general public.

Where such an assessment finds that all potential impacts cannot be successfully

avoided or mitigated against, then Paragraph 4 of Article 6 is applied:

6(4) If, in spite of a negative assessment of the implications for the site and in the

absence of alternative solutions, a plan or project must nevertheless be carried out

for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or

economic nature, the Member State shall take all compensatory measures

necessary to ensure that the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected. I t shall inform the Commission of the compensatory measures adopted.

Where the site concerned hosts a priority natural habitat type and/or a priority

species, the only considerations which may be raised are those relating to human

health or public safety, to beneficial consequences of primary importance for the

environment or, further to an opinion from the Commission, to other imperative

reasons of overriding public interest.

The statutory agency responsible for Natura 2000 sites is the National Parks and

Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The European Court of Justice has recently (December 13 2007) issued a judgment in

a legal case against Ireland that found that Ireland has failed in its statutory duty to


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confer adequate protection on designated areas. Following on from this the Circular

Letter 1/08 & N P W S 1/08 on Appropriate Assessment of Land Use Plans (from the

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government) states that all plans

and projects will be subject to critical assessment to ensure that they comply with all

relevant legislation.

AA is a focused and detailed impact assessment of the implications of the plan or

project, alone and in combination with other plans and projects, on the integrity of a

Natura 2000 site in view of its conservation objectives. The terms of AA have been

worked out in judgments of the European Court of Justice. The case law has established

that assessments should be undertaken on the basis of the best scientific evidence and

methods. Accordingly, if the consent authority so requires, data and information on the

project and on the site and an analysis of potential effects on the site must be

obtained and presented in a Natura Impact Sfatement (NIS) which must be presented

by the applicant.

Ecological specialists are generally engaged by applicants to undertake the surveys,

research and analysis, with input from other experts (e.g. hydrologists or engineers) as

necessary to prepare the NIS. In general, larger projects will entail a greater amount

of scientific scrutiny. It is the responsibility of the applicant to have the NIS prepared

for submission to the consent authority. Having satisfied itself that the Statement is

complete and objective, the competent authority carries out the AA on the basis of the

NIS and any other appropriate sources of information. In the case of Waste Water

Discharge Licensing, the Environmental Protection Agency is considered to be the

competent authority.

There are 4 stages in an Appropriate Assessment as outlined in the European

Commission Guidance document (2001 ). The following is a brief summary of these

steps.

Stage 1 - Screening: This stage examines the likely effects of a project either alone or

in combination with other projects upon a Natura 2000 Site and considers whether it

can be objectively concluded that these effects will not be significant


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Stage 2 - Appropriate Assessment: In this stage, the impact of the project on the

integrity of the Natura 2000 site is considered with respect to the conservation

objectives of the site and to its structure and function. The Appropriate Assessment is

informed by the Natura Impact Statement.

Stage 3 - Assessment of Alternative Solutions: Should the Appropriate Assessment

determine that adverse impacts are likely upon a Natura 2000 site, this stage

examines alternative ways of implementing the project that, where possible, avoid

these adverse impacts.

Stage 4 - Assessment where no alternative solutions exist and where adverse impacts

remain: Where imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI) exist, an

assessment to consider whether compensatory measures will or will not effectively

offset the damage to the Natura site will be necessary.

1.3 Natura 2000 sites

There are two designations which from part of the Natura 2000 network of sites that

require specific ecological protection in Ireland:

Slsecial Areas of Conservation [SACS)

These are sites that have been identified to be of conservation importance in a

European context, based on the habitats and species; both plant and animal; that they

support. The Directive has a number of Annexes. Habitats listed on Annex I are those

habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of

Special Areas of Conservation. Some of these are known as priority habitats for which

there is a particular obligation for protection. Animal and plant species of community

interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation

are listed on Annex II of the Directive.

All SACs are also proposed Natural Heritage Areas. There is a list of Notifiable

Actions which apply to each annexed habitat and species. These are activities for

which consent must be sought from the Minister of Environment, Heritage and Local

Government within SACs. SACs are protected under the Habitats Directive of 1992 (EU

Directive 92/43/EEC) and the Natural Habitats Regulations of 1 997 (S.1.94/97).


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Special Protection Areas !SPAS)

These are sites of European importance that have been identified as being of

conservation importance on account of the bird species and populations they support.

The Directive directs all member states to take measures to protect all wild birds and

to preserve a sufficient diversity of habitats for all species naturally occurring within

their territories, so as to maintain populations. Species whose status is a cause for

concern are specifically identified for special conservation measures in Annex I of the

Directive, and SPAs have been designated based on either the presence of these

species or the presence of significant numbers of wintering waterfowl.

All SPAs are also proposed Natural Heritage Areas. SPAs are protected under the

Birds Directive of 1979 (EU Directive 79/409/EEC) and the Natural Habitats

Regulations of 1997 (S.1.94/97).

1.4 Scheme locations

The geographic location of the plants and any designated sites potentially impacted

by the respective discharges are shown in Figure 1 .l. Due the nature of the dishcrges,

only designated sites with an aquatic component are considered at risk. These are

River Shannon Callows cSAC/Middle Shannon Callows SPA, Charleville Wood cSAC,

River Barrow cSAC and Dove Grove Callows SPA. The N P W S site synopses for these

sites are reproduced in Appendix V.


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2 Methodology

2.1 Desk study

A desk study was carried out to collate the available information on the ecological environment.

Water quality data from sampling points upstream and downstream of the respective discharges

was gleaned from the Environmental Protection Agency website (www.epa.ie). The National Parks

and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website (www.designatednatureareas.ie) was also queried in

relation to designated areas and records of rare and protected species within the receiving

waters of the respective discharges. Distributions of several protected species were viewed on the

National Biodiversity Data Centre website (www.biodiversityireland.ie). Information regarding

catchment pressures was collated from the Water Framework Directive website

(www.wfdireland.ie). The respective licence applications for each discharge were reviewed and

the sampling data contained therein was evaluated for potential aquatic impacts.

2.2 Consultation

Inland Fisheries Ireland was consulted in relation to the potential for disturbance to aquatic

habitats and fisheries within the receiving waters and was also asked to comment on any existing

issues in relation to the existing discharges. The NPWS North Eastern Office was similarly

consulted in relation to impacts to protected wildlife and habitats.

2.3 Field surveys

Site visits to the locations of the respective discharges were made by the Ryan Hanley Senior

Ecologist to document local conditions and impacts, if any.

Qffuly WWTP Discharges - NIS Page 11

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3 Assessment

The assessment of impacts associated with the respective discharges has been prepared in

accordance with the following documents:

Note on Appropriate Assessments for the purposes of the Waste Water Discharge

(Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007). Environmental Protection Agency.

Wexford. 2009.

Circular L8/08 Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes - Protection of

Natural Heritage and National Monuments. 2 September 2008.

Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland: Guidance for Planning Authorities.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local

Government. Dublin. 2009 (Revised March 201 0)

Assessment of Plans and Projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 Sites: Methodological

guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC,

European Commission 200 1

Managing Natura 2000 Sites: The Provisions of Article 6 of the 'Habitats Directive'

92/43/EEC, European Commission, 2000

As the assessments are divided across several discrete Natura 2000 sites, the main text of the

assessments is contained in Appendices 1 through 4. Appendix 1 covers the screening and

assessment for the Shannon Callows cSAC/SPA, Appendix 2 covers the screening and assessment

for the River Barrow and River Nore cSAC, Appendix 3 covers the screening and assessment for

the Dove Grove Callows SPA and Appendix 4 covers the screening and assessment for the

Charleville Wood cSAC. The N P W S site synopses for these sites is contained in Appendix 5.

Offaly VVWTP Discharges - NE Page 12

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~~

4 Conclusions

4.1 River Shannon Callows cSAC / Middle Shannon Callows SPA

The majority of the WWTPs are functioning within their design parameters and flow to river with

a high level of assimilative capacity. Many are also geographically distant from the receiving

Natura 2000 sites, and so the risk of negative impacts is concomitantly reduced. The Belmont

plant does not appear to be having local impacts and consequently no impacts to the Shannon

Callows cSAC or SPA are envisaged.

The screening exercise concludes that for 1 1 of the 12 discharges (Banagher, Belmont, Clara,

Cloghan, Ferbane, Kilcormac, Kinnitty, Mucklagh, Shannon Harbour and Shinrone), no significant

impacts to the Natura 2000 sites are likely, and thus no further assessment is required.

The only exception is the Shannonbridge W W T P which currently outputs a reduced quality

effluent directly within the SAC/SPA. In this case, the screening phase cannot rule out the

possibility of significant impacts to the Natura 2000 site.

The Shannonbridge WWTP currently releases a poor quality effluent which contains large

amounts of material which could cause organic and chemical enrichment of the waters and

surrounding lands of the Shannon Callows. This may lead to alterations in local ecology which

form key aspects of the conservation objectives of the site.

The scale of this impact is very hard to gauge without specific studies relating to the assimilative

capacity of the Shannon at this location and upon the impacts of nutrient enriched water lying on

floodplains.

The assessment must therefore conclude that significant negative impacts from the existing

Shannon discharge on the The River Shannon Callows cSAC / Middle Shannon Callows SPA

cannot be discounted at this time.

4.2 River Barrow and River Nore cSAC

The Daingean W W T P discharges to the Philipstown River, part of the Barrow catchment. The

screening exercise finds that while nutrient enrichment in the Philipstown River is a concern, this is

related to agricultural activities in the region and the Daingean plant is contributing relatively

Offa ly WWTP Discharges - NIS Page 13

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pi, ~______

little to the overall loading of the catchment. The implementation of the Nitrates Directive will in

time reduce phosphate run-off from farmland. The proposed ferric dosing at the plant will serve

to reduce localised effects on the Philipstown River.

N o significant impacts to the conservation objectives of the River Barrow and River Nore cSAC are

envisaged as a result of the discharge, and thus no further is assessment is required.

4.3 Dove Grove Callows SPA

The Shinrone and Kinnitty plants are considered to be producing high quality effluents that will

not have impacts on the bird species that form the conservation objectives of the Dove Grove

Callows SPA. The screening exercise therefore concludes that no further assessment is required.

4.4 Charleville Wood cSAC

The screening exercise finds that as neither of the qualifying interests of the Charleville Wood

cSAC are water dependent, no impacts are likely to result from the ongoing operation of the

Mucklagh plant. N o further assessment is therefore required.


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Appendix 1

River Shannon Callows cSAC / Middle Shannon Callows SPA

Location

Distance from designated site

Brief description

Eleven wastewater treatment plants located around County Offaly, serving the agglomerations of Banagher, Belmont, Clara, Cloghan, Ferbane, Kilcormac, Kinnitty, Mucklagh, Shannonbridge, Shannon Harbour and Shinrone

Banagher WWTP: Effluent discharges directly to the River Shannon inside the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Belmont WWTP:Effluent discharges to the River Brosna 5.5km upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Clara WWTP: Effluent discharges to the River Brosna 31 km upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Cloghan WWTP: Effluent discharges to the Little River 5km upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Ferbane WWTP: Effluent discharges to the River Brosna 9.5km upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Kilcormac WWTP: Effluent discharges to the Silver River 30km upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Kinnitty WWTP: Effluent discharges to the Camcor River 19km upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Mucklagh WWTP: Effluent discharges to the Camcor River 37km upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Shannonbridge WWTP: Effluent discharges directly to the River Shannon inside the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Shannon Harbour WWTP: Effluent discharges directly to the River Shannon inside the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Shinrone WWTP: 5.5km: Effluent discharges to the River Brosna upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Banagher WWTP

The existing Banagher Wastewater Treatment (WWTP) was constructed in 2000 and is designed to cater for a population equivalent of 2500. The plant is located the west of the village centre on the southern bank of the River Shannon. Banagher W W T P treats all flows that arrive at the plant to secondary standard.

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In addition, phosphorus removal has been installed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to reduce the total phosphorus discharge in the final effluent to 2mg/l (max). Banagher Wastewater Treatment Plant treats wastewater by extended aeration and it comprises an inlet works, where the flow is screened and degritted, followed by an oxidation ditch and final settlement. Ferric chloride is dosed to the flow leaving the inlet works to reduce the phosphorus concentration in the final effluent. The treated effluent discharges to the River Shannon via a 300mm diameter outfall sewer.

Belmont WWTP

The existing Waste Water Treatment Works serving Belmont was installed in 1982 and consists of a communal concrete septic tank located south of the village centre. The plant provides secondary treatment of influent from a combined sewer network. An approximate total of 450m30f sludge is removed annually from the plant by tanker, over two or three visits, and is transported to Birr for dewatering prior to onward transportation to Tullamore for treatment and disposal.

The final effluent from Belmont WWTW is discharged into the River Brosna, with an average discharge volume of 40m3/day. Recent measurements of the quality of the final effluent from the plant show that the normal 25/35 (BOD/Suspended Solids) standard is frequently being exceeded and that the overall standard of treatment provided is unsatisfactory. The existing WWTP is nearing the end of its design life and the quality of the effluent from the plant has therefore deteriorated in recent years.

Clara WWTP

The existing Clara treatment works has a current capacity of 4,500 PE with provision for future expansion to 9,000 PE. The .xisting treatment works was commissioned in November 2004 2nd replaced the existing treatment works, which was werloaded. A phase 2 upgrade to 9000PE with Tertiary rreatment is scheduled for 201 1 - 201 2.

Secondary (biological) treatment at the plant is in the form of 2xtended aeration and clarification. Sludge is thickened at the Judge thickening tank before further thickening through a :entrifuge. Treated sludge is stored in an onsite dewatered iludge collection skip.

The primary discharge point allows effluent to flow to the Brosna ?iver and is located at the north east corner of the treatment Norks site.


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Cloghan WWTP

The Cloghan WWTP is situated approximately 1 km south west of the town on the R356. The current treatment works was commissioned in M a y 1991. Sewage is treated using activated sludge in an Oxidation ditch and the effluent is separated in a Clarifier. Waste Sludge is pumped to a Sludge Holding Tank from which supernatant water can be decanted back into the treatment process. Sludge may be further dewatered using sludge drying beds however these are infrequently used due to odour issues. Effluent flows to the Little River.

The Cloghan treatment works is designed for a PE of 800. Currently, the population equivalent contributing to the works is 754PE. Several residential have received planning permission within the agglomeration boundary. It is not anticipated that any approved developments will adversely affect the quality of the effluent from the Cloghan WWTP. It should be noted that with the current economic climate that some estates are partially built and not completed but were included in 754PE and that the additional 224PE granted are large developments which also may not be built.

Ferbane WWTP

Ferbane is located approximately 22 km south of Athlone and 2 7 km west of Tullamore. The town is described as a Local Service Town by the Offaly County Development Plan and has a population of approximately 1 been in steady decline since 1979. The main economic activities in the town are commercial (retail and services) and agriculture. There are currently no industrial activities in Ferbane.

70 (2006 Census) which has

A new Wastewater Treatment Plant and Collection network upgrade was completed in 2005 and the plant has spare capacity. The existing Ferbane treatment works has a current capacity of 3/81 4 PE with provision for future expansion to 4825 PE.

Secondary (biological) treatment at the plant is in the form of extended aeration and clarification. There are no plans to carry out any additional Capital Investment in the Ferbane waste water works. The quality of the discharged final effluent is within the design parameters of the plant.

Final effluent from the Ferbane waste water treatment plant discharges to the primary discharge point, SW 1 at the Brosna River via 525mm concrete gravity outfall pipeline.

Kilcormac WWTP

The W W T P at Kilcormac is located to the north west of the


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village, on the western bank of the River Silver. The plant was built in 1989 on a relatively small site, between the River and a roadway. It has a design of 2000PE and comprises an inlet works, lmhoff tanks, trickling filters, final settlement, stormwater tank and sludge holding tank. Secondary (biological) treatment at the plant is in the form of extended aeration and clarification. Sludge is removed by private contractor, approximately twice a month. It is proposed to transport the sludge to the W W T P in Birr for further treatment, though this has yet to be confirmed.

The final effluent from Kilcormac W W T P is discharged into the Silver River. The results from the most recent monitoring of the treated effluent from the Kilcormac plant show that the works continue to produce a good quality effluent within acceptable standards. The plant does not currently provide for the removal of phosphorus.

Kinnitty WWTP

Kinnitty is served by a combined sewerage collection system which discharges to the WWTP on the Kilcormac Road, to the north-west of the village. The collection system and the original treatment plant date from the early 1970s.

The original wastewater treatment works for the village was a septic tank producing a very poor quality effluent, which then discharged to the Camcor River. This was a matter of particular concern to Offaly County Council and an interim scheme was implemented to improve the quality of the effluent from the plant and provide a small increase in treatment capacity. These works were completed 2009, and provided for an increase in the design population of the plant to 750PE.

However, as these works were undertaken as an interim scheme, only the most critical elements for an immediate improvement in effluent quality were completed. Screening has been put in place, though at this stage no degritting, stormwater storage or phosphorus removal has been provided. The use of the septic tank as a primary settlement tank is a temporary measure and ultimately, new settlement tanks will be required. The scheme is not currently on the WSlP schedule.

After this basic secondary treatment, the effluent discharges to the Camcor River.

Mucklagh WWTP

The existing WWTP serving Mucklagh is located adjacent to the Clodiagh River approximately 220m upstream of Mucklagh Bridge on the N52. Previous measurements of the quality of the final effluent from the plant show that the normal 25/35 (BOD/Suspended Solids) standard was frequently being

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exceeded and that the overall standard of treatment provided was unsatisfactory. The poor plant performance was thought to be as a direct result of hydraulic overloading with the final clarifier overloaded to the point that sludge being washed out over the side weirs. This was leading to a breakdown in the activated sludge process and took several weeks for the plant to generate sufficient sludge for the process to become effective again. In addition to the above, the site of the W W T P was occasionally flooded b y the River Clodiagh which also resulted in sludge being washed out and occasional burning-out of the motor for the rotor aerator.

An interim upgrade to the W W T P to 1 1 OOPE has recently been completed. This will act as a temporary measure before a proposed sewage pumping station for Mucklagh is constructed at the existing W W T P site. This will transfer flows to the Tullamore collection system for treatment.

The temporary upgrade works have been designed to maintain a UWWT regulations-compliant final effluent and represent a significant improvement from the previous effluent standard, which was highly unsatisfactory. No phosphorus removal currently takes place at the plant.

Shannonbridge WWTP

The existing W W T P serving Shannonbridge was installed in 1966 and consists of a concrete lmhoff tank and sludge drying beds, located on an area of raised ground on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The sludge outlet and the sludge drying beds have been out of commission for a number of years, the sludge is now removed directly from the base of the lmhoff tank and is transported by tanker to Ferbane and Birr for dewatering.

The final effluent from Shannonbridge W W T P is discharged directly into the River Shannon. Recent measurements of the quality of the final effluent from the plant show that the normal 25/35 BOD/SS standard is frequently being exceeded and that the overall standard of treatment provided is unsatisfactory.

Offaly County Council had proposed to relocate the W W T P to the south east of the village, outside the boundary of the Shannon Callows. It is proposed to relocate the WWTP to alleviate two main problems with the existing site location, i.e. flooding risk associated with the existing location and planning permission difficulties associated with environmental issues due to the sensitive surroundings (Shannnon Callows). A new outfall of approximately 700m in length, to a new discharge point in the River Shannon, is also proposed. A design PE of 500 is proposed for the new WWTP, with final effluent discharge standards of 25/35 (BOD/SS), in addition to a 2mg/l total phosphorus limit.

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The proposed BOD and Suspended Solids limits are in line with those set by the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 (S.I. 254/2001), with the Total Phosphorus limit equal to that set for discharges to sensitive areas. However, there has been no date scheduled for this upgrade as Shannonbridge does not currently form part of the Offaly Water Services Investment Programme.

Shannon Harbour WWTP

The existing Waste Water Treatment Works serving Shannonharbour was built in 2000 for a design PE of 200. The wastewater then undergoes screening at the preliminary treatment works. The plant itself is an activated sludge plant using extended aeration.

Recent measurements of the quality of the final effluent from the plant show that the normal 25/35 (BOD/Suspended Solids) standard is being maintained (and improved) by a considerable margin and that the overall standard of treatment provided is satisfactory.

The final effluent from the plant is generally of extremely high quality with B O D levels as low as 4 mg/l having been recorded in 2009. The final effluent is discharged to the River Brosna via a 225mm outfall sewer.

Shinrone WWTP

The existing Wastewater Treatment Works serving Shinrone is located to the south of the village on a site adjacent to a small stream above its confluence with the Little Brosna River, and approximately 700m from the centre of the village. The original W W T P at Shinrone was installed more than 35 years ago for a design population of 400. Upgrading works to the Shinrone WWTP are included in the WSlP as part of the Offaly Towns and Villages sewerage scheme. As the plant was coming under increased pressure due to recent population increases, and the procurement of proposed upgrading works would be expected to take approximately three to five years, Offaly County Council decided to advance certain works to immediately improve the quality of the effluent from the works and allow for sustainable development in the village over this period. The recently completed temporary works result in an increase in the design load for the plant to 1,000 PE, which allows for the connection of approximately 80 additional houses over the interim period and safeguards effluent quality from the plant. Sludge from Shinrone is exported to Birr for dewatering.

The final effluent from Shinrone W W T P is discharged to the Little Brosna River. The results from the most recent monitoring of the treated effluent from the Shinrone plant show that the works


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Is the plan directly connected with or necessary to the Natura 2000 site management for nature conservation?

Name

Designation

Basis

Description

continue to produce a good quality effluent.

Offaly County Council proposes to upgrade the existing treatment plant to serve the longer term needs of the village, to a proposed design of 1500PE. This upgrade will also include phosphorus remova 1.

No.

River Shannon Callows cSAC / Middle Shannon Callows SPA

Candidate Special Area of Conservation / Special Protection Area

EU Habitats Directive

From NPWS Site Synopsis: The Shannon Callows is a long anc diverse site which consists of seasonally flooded, semi-natural, lowland wet grassland, along and beside the river between the towns of Athlone and Portumna. It is approximately 50 km long and averages about 0.75 km wide (reaching 1.5 km wide ir places). Along most of its length the site is bordered b y raised bogs - many, but not all, in the process of large-scale harvesting - esker ridges and limestone-bedrock hills. The soils grade from silty-alluvial to peat. This site has a common boundary, and i: closely associated, with two other sites of similar habitats, River Suck Callows and Little Brosna Callows.

The River Shannon Callows is mainly composed of lowland wei grassland. Different plant communities occur, depending on elevation, and therefore their flooding patterns. Two habitat5 listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive are well represented within the site - Molinia meadows and lowland hay meadows. The former is characterised by the presence of the Meadow Thistle (Cirsium dissectum) and Purple Moor-grass (Molinia caerulea), while typical species in the latter include Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis), Rough Meadow-grass (Poa trivialis), Downy Oat-grass (Avenula pubescens), Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa). In places these two habitats grade into one another.

Low-lying areas of the callows with more prolonged flooding are characterised by Floating Sweet-grass (Glyceria fluitans), Marsh Foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus) and wetland herbs such as Yellow Cress (Rorippa spp.), Water Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) and Common Spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris). Most of the callows consist of a plant community characterised by Creeping Bent (Agrostis stolonifera), Brown Sedge (Carex disticha), Common Sedge (Carex nigra), and herbs such as Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) and Marsh Bedstraw (Galium


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I . !

palustre). While the more elevated and peaty areas are characterised by low-growing sedges, particularly Yellow Sedge (Carex flava agg.) and Star Sedge (Carex echinata). All these communities are very diverse in their total number of plant species, and include the scarce species Meadow-rue (Thalictrum flavum), Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum), and Marsh Stitchwort (Stellaria palustris).

Two further Annex I habitats, both listed with priority status, have a minor though important presence within the site. Alluvial forest occurs on a series of alluvial islands just below the ESB weir near Meelick. Several of the islands are dominated by well grown woodland of mainly Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Willows (Salix spp.). The islands are prone to regular flooding from the river.

At Clorhane, an area of limestone pavement represents the only known example in CO Offaly. It is predominantly colonised by mature hazel woodland, with areas of open limestone and calcareous grassland interspersed. The open limestone pavement comprises bare or moss covered rock or rock with a very thin calcareous soil cover supporting a short grassy turf. The most notable plant in the grassy area is a substantial population of Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio), which occurs with such species as Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), Quaking Grass (Briza media), sedges (Carex caryophyllea, C. flacca), Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), and Narrow-leaved Plantain (Plantago lanceolata). Ferns associated with the cracks in the paving include Asplenium trichomanes, A. ruta-muraria, A. adiantum-nigrum, Polypodium australe. Bryophytes include Grimmia apocarpa and Orthotrichum cf. anomalum. Anthills are common within the open grassland. The Hazel wood is well- developed and has herbaceous species such as Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana), W o o d Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) and Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum). The wood is noted for its luxuriant growth of epiphytic mosses and liverworts, with such species as Neckera crispa and Hylocomium brevirostre. Yew(Taxus baccata) occurs at one area.

Other habitats of smaller area but equal importance within the site are lowland dry grassland, drainage ditches, freshwater marshes and reedbeds. The dry grassland areas, especially where they exist within hay meadows, are species-rich, and of two main types: calcareous grassland on glacial material, and dry grassland on levees of river alluvium. The former can contain many Orchid species, Cowslip (Primula veris), abundant Adder's- tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum) and Spring-sedge (Carex caryophyllea), and both contain an unusually wide variety of grasses, including False Oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius), Yellow Oatgrass (Trisetum flavescens), Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratense), and Meadow Brome (Bromus commutatus). In places Summer Snowflake also occurs.

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Good quality habitats on the edge of the callows included in the site are wet broadleaved semi-natural woodland dominated b y both Birch (Betula pubescens) and Alder (Alnus glutinosa) and dry broad-leaved woodland dominated b y Hazel (Corylus avellana). There are also areas of raised bog, fen on old cut- away bog with Black Bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans), and a 'petrifying stream' with associated species-rich calcareous flush which supports Yellow Sedge (Carex lepidocarpa), Blunt- flowered Rush (Juncus subnodulosus) and Stoneworts (Chara SPP.).

Two legally-protected plant species (Flora (Protection) Order 1999) occur in the site: Opposite-leaved Pondweed (Groenlandia densa) in drainage ditches, and Meadow Barley (Hordeum secalinum) on dry alluvial grassland. This is one of only two known inland sites for the Meadow Barley in Ireland. The Red Data Book plant Greenwinged Orchid (Orchis morio) is known from dry calcareous grasslands within the site, while the site also supports a healthy population of Marsh Pea (Lathyrus palustris).

The site is of International Importance for wintering waterfowl as numbers regularly exceed the 20,000 threshold (mean of 34985 for 5 winters 1994/94-1998/99). O f particular note is an Internationally Important population of Whooper Swans (287). A further five species have populations of national importance (all figures are means for 5 winters 1995/96- 1999/00): Mute Swan (349), Wigeon (2972), Golden Plover (4254), Lapwing (1 1578) and Black-tailed Godwit (388). Species which occur in numbers of regional or local importance include Bewick's Swan, Tufted Duck, Dunlin, Curlew and Redshank. The population of Dunlin is notable as it is one of the few regular inland flocks in Ireland. Small flocks of Greenland White-fronted Goose use the Shannon Callows; these are generally associated with larger flocks which occur on the adjacent Little Brosna Callows and River Suck Callows.

Shoveler (an estimated 12 pairs in 1987) and Black-tailed Godwit (Icelandic race) (one or two pairs in 1987) breed within this site. These species are listed in the Red Data Book as being threatened in Ireland. The scarce bird Quail is also known to breed within the area. The Callows continues to hold over 40% of the Irish population of the globally endangered Corncrake, although numbers have declined in recent years. A total of 66 calling birds were recorded in 1999. The total population of breeding waders (Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe and Curlew) in 1987 was one of three major concentrations in Ireland and Britain. The breeding Redshank, numbers was estimated at 10% of the Irish population, making it Nationally significant. Also, the Annex I species Merlin and Hen Harrier are regularly reported hunting over the callows during the breeding season and in autumn and winter.

This site holds a population of Otter, a species listed on Annex I1

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Area

Condition

of the EU Habitats Directive, while the Irish Hare, which is listed in the Irish Red Data Book, is a common sight on the callows.

5856.5ha

The Shannon Callows are used for summer dry-stock grazing (mostly cattle, with some sheep and a few horses), and permanent hay meadow. About 30 ha is a nature reserve owned by voluntary conservation bodies. The River Shannon is used increasingly for recreational purposes with coarse angling and boating accounting for much of the visitor numbers. Intermittent and scattered damage to the habitats has occurred due to over-deepening of drains and peat silt deposition, water- skiing, ploughing and neglect of hay meadow (or reversion to pasture). However, none of these can as of yet be said to be serious.

Threats to the quality of the site may come from the siting of boating marinas in areas away from centres of population, fertilising of botanically-rich fields, the use of herbicides, reversion of hay meadow to pasture, neglect of pasture and hay meadow, disturbance of birds by boaters, anglers, birdwatchers and the general tourist. The maintenance of generally high water levels in winter and spring benefits all aspects of the flora and fauna, but in this regard, summer flooding is a threat to breeding birds, and may cause neglect of farming.

The Shannon Callows has by far the largest area of lowland semi-natural grassland and associated aquatic habitats in Ireland and one in which there is least disturbance of natural wetland processes. Botanically, it is extremely diverse with two legally protected species of plants and many scarce species. Excellent examples of two habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive occur within the site - Molinia meadows and lowland hay meadows with good examples of a further two Annex habitats (both with priority status). In winter the site is internationally important for numbers and species of waterfowl. In spring it feeds large numbers of birds on migration. And in summer it holds very large numbers of breeding waders, rare breeding birds and the endangered Corncrake, as well as a very wide variety of more common grassland and wetland birds. The presence of Otter, an Annex ll species, adds further importance to the site.

In the Offaly region, the Shannon is fed by a number of rivers including the River Brosna, Little River, Camcor River, Silver River, Little Brosna, Clodiagh River and Tullamore River. None of these fall within the cSAC/SPA boundary, apart from the lower stretches of the Little Brosna, where seasonally flooded callow habitat like that along the main Shannon channel also predominates. The cSAC is not designated for the presence of


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Conservation interests - cSAC

Conservation interests - SPA

Describe the individual elements of the plan (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects) likely to give rise to impacts on the Natura 2000 sites.

any protected fish species, though the main channel and several of the aforementioned tributaries provide migration, feeding and/or spawning habitat for a number of protected species.

Otter (an Annex II species), for which the Shannon Callow cSAC is designated for, extends its range into many of the Shannon tributaries, including the Brosna and Little Brosna catchments. White-clawed crayfish (Annex II) are also known from the Brosna and its tributaries. Sea lamprey (Annex II) have been recorded in the Little Brosna near Roscrea and Brook lamprey have been found in the Tullamore Silver River.

The Brosna catchment contains a small summer run of Atlantic salmon (Annex 11); the main Brosna channel is presently closed to salmon angling. A number of the regionally restricted Croneen trout from Lough Derg also run the River Brosna and Little Brosna to spawn.

Species: Otter (Lutra lutra)

Habitats: Molinia meadows Lowland hay meadows Alluvial woodlands Limestone pavement

Over 20,000 birds utilising site Whooper swan Golden plover Bewick’s swan Merlin Hen harrier Greenland white-fronted goose Corncrake

Each individual WWTP results in the release of a treated effluent to the environment. This effluent may contain solutes and suspended materials that can lead to alterations in water quality in the receiving sites. The discharges of the respective WWTPs are discussed below.

Banagher WWTP

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Banagher effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of BOD 25 mg/l, COD 125


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mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. As a reasonably contemporary installation, the plant is currently and is operating well within its design parameters. Phosphorus removal via ferric dosing appears to be functioning well. Downstream sampling of the receiving Shannon reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met.

N P W S had no specific comments to make in relation to this discharge.

No response was received from Inland Fisheries Ireland within the three month consultation period.

Bel rnon t WWTP

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Belmont effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant do not generally comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of B O D 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. The licence application notes that the existing W W T P is nearing the end of its design life and the quality of the effluent from the plant has therefore deteriorated in recent years. Levels of P and N in the effluent are also above the compliant limits for sensitive rivers (which the Brosna is classed as).

In spite of the low quality effluent issuing from the Belmont septic tank, water quality sampling downstream of the plant indicates that all relevant parameters (BOD, Ammonia & MRP) are in compliance with the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009), and the Brosna maintains high water quality status under the Water Framework Directive classification. Furthermore, no discernible elevation in concentrations of these discharge elements was evident between upstream and downstream samples.

The most recent EPA water quality sampling results indicated that macroinvertebrate diversity was reduced at the sampling site upstream of the WWTP. However, the river displayed high ecological status (Q=4) 3km downstream of the WWTP. This indicates that the relatively low volume of effluent in combination with the high assimilative capacity of the River Brosna at this location results in little change to the water quality of the receiving water.


N o response was received from Inland Fisheries Ireland within the three month consultation period.

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Clara WWTP

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Clara effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of B O D 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. As a reasonably contemporary installation, the plant is currently and is operating well within its design parameters.

Downstream sampling of the receiving Brosna reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met. The most recent EPA water quality sampling results indicate that the River Brosna displayed good ecological status (Q=3-4) downstream of the WWTP, and high ecological status (Q=4) at the next sampling location 3km downstream.

The high assimilative capacity of the River Brosna at this location results in little change to the water quality of the receiving water.



Cloghan WWTP

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Cloghan effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of BOD 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. The plant is currently operating within its operational parameters.

Downstream sampling of the receiving Brosna reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met. The Little River downstream of the plant maintains high status under the Water Framework Directive classification.

The most recent EPA water quality sampling results indicate that the Little River displayed good ecological status (Q=3-4) 2.5km downstream of the WWTP.



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Ferbane WWTP

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Ferbane effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of B O D 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. As a reasonably contemporary installation, the plant is currently and is operating well within its design parameters. N levels of the effluent are slightly above those required for discharges to sensitive rivers.

Downstream sampling of the receiving Brosna reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are mostly being met. The Little River downstream of the plant maintains high status under the Water Framework Directive classification for both B O D and Ammomia. However, reactive phosphorus levels were seen to be above the required threshold levels. As P levels within the effluent are compliant, it is possible that other phosphorus sources (most likely agriculture) are contributing to the elevated sampling results seen.

The most recent EPA water quality sampling results indicate that the River Brosna displayed good ecological status (Q=3-4) 4km downstream of the WWTP.

The high assimilative capacity of the River Brosna at this location results in little change to the water quality of the receiving water.

NPWS had no specific comments to make in relation to this discharge.


Kilcormac WWTP

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Kilcormac effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of B O D 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. The plant is currently operating within its operational parameters.

Downstream sampling of the receiving Silver River reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met. The Silver downstream of the plant maintains high status under the Water Framework Directive classification.

The most recent EPA water quality sampling results indicate that the Little River displayed good ecological status (Q=3-4) 0.5km and 5.5km downstream of the WWTP.


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Kinnitty WWTP

Interim works on the Kinnitty plant were completed 2009, and provided for an increase in the design population of the plant to 750PE. Effluent sampling was carried out during this upgrade period, and a progressive improvement in effluent quality is discernible from the results.

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Kinnitty effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. Mean levels were very slightly above the 25mg/l threshold for BOD (27.9 mg/l), though this is no longer likely to be the case as sample figures following completion of works are all below the aforementioned threshold. The plant is currently operating within its operational parameters. The Camcor River is not classed as a sensitive river.

Downstream sampling of the receiving Camcor River reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met. The Silver River downstream of the plant maintains high status under the Water Framework Directive classification.

The most recent EPA water quality sampling report that: In the lower reaches of the Camcor the paucity of sensitive macroinvertebrate fauna indicated unsatisfactory ecological conditions at Drumcullen bridge (0300) below Kinnity and Elmgrove Bridge (0700) in Birr. Excessive siltation and increased compaction of the river bed substrate was noted at all locations surveyed in the lower reaches reducing habitat availability for sensitive macroinvertebrate species.

These EPA findings are mainly related to physical aspects of the waterbody and impacts from surrounding landuse; nutrient enrichment is not mentioned as a negative pressure.



I


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Mucklagh WWTP

Information supplied in the original licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Mucklagh effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant did not generally comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of B O D 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. The effluent is of very low quality.

However, following the completion of the interim upgrade to the W W T P to 1 1 OOPE, sampling results from 201 0 indicate a much higher quality effluent, with an average BOD of 8.3mg/l.

Water quality sampling downstream of the plant indicates that all relevant parameters (BOD, Ammonia & MRP) are in compliance with the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009), and the Clodiagh River maintains high or good water quality status under the Water Framework Directive classification.

The 2009 EPA river quality report states that “the lower reaches were in a generally unsatisfactory ecological condition with slight pollution noted at Annamoe Bridge (0400) and also at Rahan (0500)”. Both these sites lie downstream of the Mucklagh WWTP, and it is feasible to suggest that the pre-upgrade effluent may have been leading to a decrease in water quality; this is likely to have been resolved. Ecological recovery is also discernible downstream of the Clodiagh’s confluence with the Brosna.

The combination of the upgrade works and the recovery in water quality between the Mucklagh W W T P and the Shannon Callows SAC/SPA means that negative impacts to the Natura 2000 sites are unlikely.



Shannonbridge WWTP

The lmhoff septic tank which forms the treatment system for the Shannonbridge agglomeration is currently operating near capacity. The treatment system is place is now over 40 years old and generates a very poor quality effluent, which is in breach of all of the thresholds of the Urban Waste Water Regulations (2001 ).

As the effluent flows directly to the River Shannon, no EPA biological water quality data is available to assess ecological


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impacts from this discharge. The Shannon at this location is a very large waterbody and should have ample assimilative capacity and dilution factor. Despite this, ammonia levels downstream of the discharge have been recorded as being above the threshold for good status under the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009).

It is feasible to suggest that the current effluent may be leading to organic and inorganic enrichment of the Shannon in the immediate vicinity of the discharge, which may lead to increased aquatic vegetation growth and lead to decreases in dissolved oxygen concentrations. This may have an impact on species which feed in this area of the SAC/SPA. Impacts are likely to fall off as one travels away from the discharge point.



Shannon Harbour WWTP

Information supplied in the licence application relai.,rg to water quality sampling of the Shannon Harbour effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of B O D 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. The plant is currently operating within its operational parameters.

Downstream sampling of the receiving Brosna reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met. The River Brosna downstream of the plant maintains high status under the Water Framework Directive classification.

As the effluent flows to the River Brosna just upstream of its confluence with the River Shannon, no EPA biological water quality data is available to assess ecological impacts from this discharge.

The levels of P and N in the effluent are slightly higher than those required for sensitive rivers, but significant dilution is likely to occur downstream of the Shannon confluence.



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Describe any likely direct, indirect or secondary impacts of the project (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects) on the Natura 2000 site by virtue of:

Size and scale; Land-take; Distance from Natura 2000 site or key features of the site; Resource requirements; Emissions; Excavation requirements; Transportation requirements; Duration of construction, Dperation etc.; Others.

Shinrone WWTP

Interim works on the Shinrone plant were completed 2009, and provided for an increase in the design population of the plant to 1,000PE. Effluent sampling was carried out during this upgrade period, and a progressive improvement in effluent quality is discernible from the results.

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Shinrone effluent in 2008/2009 shows that B O D and COD samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. Mean levels were slightly above the 35mg/l threshold for SS (48.6 mg/l), though this is no longer likely to be the case as sample figures following completion of works are all below the aforementioned threshold. The plant is currently operating within its operational parameters.

The Little Brosna River is classed as a sensitive river. The levels of P and N in the effluent are slightly higher than those required for sensitive rivers. However, downstream sampling of the receiving Little Brosna River reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met. The river downstream of the plant therefore maintains high status under the Water Framework Directive classification.



All impacts relate to the influence of the contents of the respective effluents entering the receiving waters. No construction, land-take etc. will take place in the vicinity of the WWTPs.

Remaining impacts are:

Effluent discharging to freshwater catchments can lead to eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) of the receiving waters, increases in suspended solids, build up of toxic materials, reduction of ecological diversity and the subsequent alteration of trophic food webs.

Unmitigated contamination events during the operational phase of the plant pose the risk of releasing toxic pollutants to the respective receiving waters. Such events could potentially have significant negative impacts on the water-dependent species for which the Shannon Callows SAC/SPA has been designated. Extensive fish kills resulting from such an event may destabilize the food web of an entire sub-catchment.

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Describe any likely changes to the site arising as a result of:

Reduction of habitat area; Disturbance of key species; Habitat or species fragmentation; Reduction in species density; Changes in key indicators of conservation value; Climate change.

Describe any likely impacts on the Natura 2000 site a s a whole in terms of:

Interference with the key relationships that define the structure of the site;

Interference with key relationships that define the function of the site.

Depending on the natural trophic status of the receiving water, eutrophication can result in accelerated algal growth. This has knock-on effects on riverine ecology; dissolved oxygen levels can be affected by increased biological oxygen demand.

Reduced assimilative capacity of rivers will occur during periods of low flow. This will be further exacerbated in rivers where abstractions are located.

None of the listed WWTP discharges will cause the direct disturbance or reduction of any Annex I habitats.

Accelerated algae and plant growth within river water columns leads to shifts in diurnal oxygen concentrations. This in turn leads to loss of biological indicator macroinvertebrate species. These species form the bases of salmonid feeding patterns, and their loss may lead to alterations in river ecology as other less sensitive invertebrate species begin to dominate.

Fish populations may be significantly impacted by the increased growth of plants on the river substrate. Such fish form a key part of the diet of the otter; reduction in food resources could result in negative demographic changes in local otter populations.

The EPA Report “Climate Change - Scenarios & Impacts for Ireland” found in a study of six different catchments nationwide that, the predicted reduction in water input to the Brosna was 10 to 20 % and less than 10% for the Shannon, for the period 2041 to 2070 when compared with the present baseline data. This reduction in flow may result in lower assimilative capacities of the receiving rivers.

The key physical ecological relationships that define the structure and function of the Shannon Callows SAC/SPA are more connected to the flooding regime of the site than to overall water quality. However, the productivity of the site in terms of food resources for the various qualifying interests should not be discounted.

The SAC/SPA may be impacted by ongoing nutrient enrichment of its inflowing rivers. The respective WWTPs may be contributing to this enrichment due to lack of secondary and tertiary treatment; release of reactive phosphates is of particular concern. This may have direct effects by reducing dissolved oxygen and leading to loss of species. Indirect effects include loss of river substrate with specific ecological function (e.g. spawning gravel) due to blanketing with opportunistic aquatic plants.

However the vast majority of the WWTPs are functioning within their design parameters and flow to river with a high level of


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Describe from the above those elements of the project or plan, or combination of elements, where the above impacts are likely to be significant or where the scale of magnitude

assimilative capacity. Many are also geographically distant from the receiving Natura 2000 sites, and so the risk of negative impacts is concomitantly reduced. The Belmont plant, while apparently overloaded, does not appear to be causing any negative ecological impacts as the receiving river has a high assimilative capacity. Potential impacts are therefore not transmitted to the Shannon Callows.

The main concern relates to the Shannonbridge plant, which is currently releasing poorly treated effluent directly to the Callows SAC/SPA. While an upgrade plant has been proposed, the scheme is not currently on the Offaly WSlP list.

The discharge from the Shannonbridge W W T P is frequently above the threshold limits for the Urban Wastewater Directive of BOD 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. This may lead to a deterioration in water quality, though the magnitude and significance of these impacts is dependent on a number of variables such as local assimilative capacity, pressure from diffuse sources (septic tanks) and surrounding agricultural land use. Local increases in population around the respective agglomeration may put lead to increased overloading of the plants.

The main pressures on the Shannon Callows are from agricultural practices (mowing & drainage) and recreational activities. A major potential future cumulative impact may result from the use of Lough Ree as an abstraction source for the Dublin Water Supply Project. Such an abstraction could significantly affect flooding patterns on the Callows which may act in conjunction with nutrient enrichment of the water to negatively impact feeding species. At the time of writing, the recommended option for the abstraction source was Lough Derg, and therefore to the south of the main Shannon Callows. Risks of cumulative impacts are therefore significantly lower.

Nutrient enrichment from agricultural run-off in the sub-catchment is also likely to be reduced in the coming years through the implementation of the Nitrates Directive.

~ ~~

As stated, the majority of the WWTPs are functioning within their design parameters and flow to river with a high level of assimilative capacity. Many are also geographically distant from the receiving Natura 2000 sites, and so the risk of negative impacts is concomitantly reduced. The Belmont plant does not appear to be having local impacts and consequently no impacts to the Callows cSAC or SPA are envisaged.

The screening exercise therefore concludes that for 1 1 of the 1 2 discharges (Banagher, Belmont, Clara, Cloghan, Ferbane, Kilcormac, Kinnitty, Mucklagh, Shannon Harbour and Shinrone), no significant impacts to the Natura 2000 sites are likely, and thus no further assessment is required.

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The only exception is the Shannonbridge W W T P which currently outputs a reduced quality effluent directly within the SAC/SPA. In this case, the screening phase cannot rule out the possibility of significant impacts to the Natura 2000 site. More detailed assessment of this discharge is therefore carried in Stage 2 of the Natura Impacts Assessment process below.

Describe the elements of the plan that are likely to give rise to significant effects on the site

Set out the conservation objectives of the site

Describe how the project will affect key species and key habitats

The project under assessment relates to the discharge from Shannonbridge WWTP in County Offaly. The River Shannon Callows cSAC / Middle Shannon Callows SPA may be impacted by ongoing organic enrichment and eutrophication that may result from the effluent content from this treatment plant.

The conservation objectives of the River Shannon Callows cSAC / Middle Shannon Callows SPA are:

To maintain the Annex I habitats for which the cSAC has been selected at favourable conservation status: Molinia meadows; Lowland hay meadows; Alluvial woodlands; Limestone pavement

To maintain the Annex II species for which the cSAC has been selected at favourable conservation status: Otter (Iufra lutra)

To maintain the extent, species richness and biodiversity of the entire site.

To establish effective liaison and co-operation with landowners, legal users and relevant authorities.

The Shannonbridge plant is currently significantly overloaded and discharging an effluent that contains high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, and features non-compliant BOD, COD and suspended solids.

Accelerated algae and plant growth within river water columns leads to shifts in diurnal oxygen concentrations. This in turn leads to loss of biological indicator macroinvertebrate species. These species form the bases of salmonid feeding patterns, and their loss may lead to alterations in river ecology as other less sensitive invertebrate species begin to dominate. Such changes are likely to affect stocks of fish within the river; this may then affect otter, a qualifying species for the SAC. Elevated levels of suspended solids from effluent discharges also pose a risk to fish recruitment where settlement on spawning beds may occur.

Effluent discharging to freshwater catchments can lead to

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[RYAN

Describe how the integrity of the site [determined by structure and function and conservation objectives) is likely to be affected by the project or plan (e.g. loss of habitat, disturbance, disruption, chemical changes, hydrological changes etc).

Describe mitigation measures that are to be introduced to avoid, reduce or remedy the adverse effects on the integrity of the site

Conclusion

eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) of the receiving waters. Such nutrient enriched water flooding over land may lead to increased growth of certain grasses or cause other flood plain trophic shifts. This has the potential to affect the feeding ecology of over-wintering bird species that use temporally flooded farmland and wet low-lying meadows to forage on.

Natural lowland meadows which form a key habitat of the callows exist due to lack of agricultural activities theron (mowing/fertilizing). Such habitat may be altered if fertilizing nutrients in the WWTP effluent are allowed to pass over them during high water levels.

The overall integrity of the site may me reduced should alterations of the trophic status of the water and temporarily flooded land occur.

Reductions in fish species and macroinvertebrate diversity from temporary deoxygenation of the water column could negatively affect otter populations in the Callows. Nutrient enrichment of the overall waterbody may affect the natural unfertilized status of the flooded meadows on both banks of the Shannon and inflowing rivers. Flood events may also result in the leaking of organic materials onto the callowlanc, which may affect its ecology.

As the Natura 2000 site is extensive and has a large assimilative capacity, the likelihood and magnitude of these negative impacts if difficult to predict. Given the overall small scale of the Shannonbridge discharge and the wide and deep nature of the River Shannon at the discharge, it is probable that any negative effects will be minor and seen to rapidly fall away as one moves away from the discharge.

Offaly County Council had proposed to relocate the WWTP to the south east of the village, outside the boundary of the Shannon Callows. It is proposed to relocate the W W T P to alleviate two main problems with the existing site location, i.e. flooding risk associated with the existing location and planning permission difficulties associated with environmental issues due to the sensitive surroundings.

N o date has been scheduled for this upgrade, and any works are dependent upon funding being available.

The Shannonbridge WWTP currently releases a poor quality effluent which contains large amounts of material which could cause organic and chemical enrichment of the waters and surrounding lands of the Shannon Callows. This may lead to alterations in local ecology which form key aspects of the conservation objectives of the site.

The scale of this impact is very hard to gauge without specific


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Inland Fisheries Ireland

National Parks and Wildlife Service

studies relating to the assimilative capacity of the Shannon at this location and upon the impacts of nutrient enriched water lying on floodplains.

The assessment must therefore conclude that significant negative impacts from the existing Shannon discharge on the The River Shannon Callows cSAC / Middle Shannon Callows SPA cannot be discounted at this time.

Inland Fisheries Ireland was consulted via letter on October 28th 20 10. N o response had been received at the time of submission of this report.

NPWS, through the Development Applicatons Unit of DoEHLG was consulted via letter on October 28+h 201 0. N o response had been received at the time of submission of this report.

Regional staff of NPWS consulted b y phone had no specific comments to make in relation to this discharge.

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.

Appendix 2

River Barrow and River Nore cSAC

Location

Distance from designated site 1 Brief description

Is the plan directly connected Is the plan directly connected with or necessary to the Natura 2000 site management for nature conservation?

I

Wastewater treatment plant at Daingean, Co. Offaly.

35km: Philipstown River flows in Figile River which reaches the cSAC boundary at the River Barrow, just northwest of Monasterevin.

The existing Wastewater Treatment Works in Daingean was installed in 2001 with a nominal capacity of 1200 PE. The WWTP comprises an inlet screen, an inlet pump, two Biomac compact package plants, a sludge holding tank and a control building, which houses the blowers. The plant is manned for approximately 1 hour a day, 7 days a week.

The final effluent is discharged into the Philipstown River. At present, the W w T W discharge averages approximately 277m3/day to the River. The total load to the W w T W is estimated at 1229 PE. The plant produces a reasonable effluent quality with an average BOD level of 17.1 6mg/l recorded in the period of 2006 to 2008. There have been a number of higher effluent B O D readings recorded, suggesting that the plant suffers from occasional overloading. In order to facilitate sustainable development in the village, Offaly County Council proposes to upgrade the existing treatment plant to serve a design population equivalent of 2,500.

It is proposed to provide ferric dosing to effect chemical precipitation of phosphorus to achieve the 1 mg/l effluent standard proposed. This limit is below the 2mg/l limit set by SI No. 254/200 1 for discharges from urban wastewater treatment plants to sensitive areas. Although the Philipstown River is not classified as a nutrient sensitive river, it is of note that it has become hypertrophic due to intensive agricultural activities upstream of the plant. The river channel is almost completely choked by overabundant weed growth both upstream and downstream of the WWTP.

The proposed limit of 1 mg/l will result in reduced phosphorus levels in thereceiving waters, and should bring about an improvement in the quality of these waters.

No.


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Name

Designation

Basis

Description

Area

Condition

River Barrow and River Nore

Candidate Special Area of Conservation


From NP WS Site Synopsis: This site consists of the freshwater stretches of the Barrow/Nore River catchments as far upstream as the Slieve Bloom Mountains and it also includes the tidal elements and estuary as far downstream as Creadun Head in Waterford. The site passes through eight counties - Offaly, Kildare, Laois, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford and Waterford.

Major towns along the edge of the site include Mountmellick, Portarlington, Monasterevin, Stradbally, Athy, Carlow, Leighlinbridge, Graiguenamanagh, New Ross, Inistioge, Thomastown, Callan, Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny and Durrow. The larger of the many tributaries include the Lerr, Fushoge, Mountain, Aughavaud, Owenass, Boherbaun and Stradbally Rivers of the Barrow and the Delour, Dinin, Erkina, Owveg, Munster, Arrigle and King’s Rivers on the Nore. Both rivers rise in the Old Red Sandstone of the Slieve Bloom Mountains before passing through a band of Carboniferous shales and sandstones. The Nore, for a large part of its course, traverses limestone plains and then Old Red Sandstone for a short stretch below Thomastown. Before joining the Barrow it runs over intrusive rocks poor in silica. The upper reaches of the Barrow also runs through limestone. The middle reaches and many of the eastern tributaries, sourced in the Blackstairs Mountains, run through Leinster Granite. The southern end, like the Nore runs over intrusive rocks poor in silica. Waterford Harbour is a deep valley excavated b y glacial floodwaters when the sea level was lower than today. The coast shelves quite rapidly along much of the shore.

The site is a candidate SAC selected for alluvial wet woodlands and petrifying springs, priority habitats on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also selected as a candidate SAC for old oak woodlands, floating river vegetation, estuary, tidal mudflats, Salicornia mudflats, Atlantic salt meadows, Mediterranean salt meadows, dry heath and eutrophic tall herbs, all habitats listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also selected for the following species listed on Annex II of the same directive - Sea Lamprey, River Lamprey, Brook Lamprey, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Nore Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Crayfish, Twaite Shad, Atlantic Salmon, Otter, Vertigo moulinsiana and the plant Killarney Fern.

1 9 1 24.2ha

Landuse at the site consists mainly of agricultural activities - many intensive, principally grazing and silage production. Slurry is spread over much of this area. Arable crops are also grown. The spreading of slurry and fertiliser poses a threat to the water

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Conservation interests

quality of the salmonid river and to the populations of Habitats Directive Annex II animal species within the site. Many of the woodlands along the rivers belong to old estates and support many non-native species. Little active woodland management occurs. Fishing is a main tourist attraction along stretches of the main rivers and their tributaries and there are a number of Angler Associations, some with a number of beats. Fishing stands and styles have been erected in places. Both commercial and leisure fishing takes place on the rivers. There is net fishing in the estuary and a mussel bed also.

Other recreational activities such as boating, golfing and walking, particularly along the Barrow towpath are also popular. There is a golf course on the banks of the Nore at Mount Juliet and GAA pitches on the banks at lnistioge and Thomastown. There are active and disused sand and gravel pits throughout the site. Several industrial developments, which discharge into the river, border the site. New Ross is an important shipping port. Shipping to and from Waterford and Belview ports also passes through the estuary.

The main threats to the site and current damaging activities include high inputs of nutrients into the river system from agricultural run-off and several sewage plants, overgrazing within the woodland areas, and invasion by non-native species, for example Cherry Laurel and Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum). The water quality of the site remains vulnerable. Good quality water is necessary to maintain the populations of the Annex II animal species listed above. Good quality is dependent on controlling fertilisation of the grasslands, particularly along the Nore. It also requires that sewage be properly treated before discharge. Drainage activities in the catchment can lead to flash floods which can damage the many Annex II species present. Capital and maintenance dredging within the lower reaches of the system pose a threat to migrating fish species such as lamprey and shad. Land reclamation also poses a threat to the salt meadows and the populations of legally protected species therein.

Overall, the site is of considerable conservation significance for the occurrence of good examples of habitats and of populations of plant and animal species that are listed on Annexes I and II of the E.U. Habitats Directive respectively. Furthermore it is of high conservation value for the populations of bird species that use it. The occurrence of several Red Data Book plant species including three rare plants in the salt meadows and the population of the hard water form of the Pearl Mussel which is limited to a 10 km stretch of the Nore, add further interest to this site.

Species: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) Twaite shad (Alosa fallax) Allis shad (Alosa alosa)

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Size and scale;

Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Brook lamprey (Lampetra planer;) River lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) Otter (lutra lutra) White-clawed crayfish (Aostropotamobius pallipes) Freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) Nore freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera durrovensis) Killarney fern (Trichomanes speciosum) Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail (Vertigo moulinsiana)

Habitats: Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in British Isles Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) European dry heaths Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels Spartina swards (Spartinion maritimae) Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide Estuaries

The aspect of the plant which may result in impacts to the Natura 2000 site is the nutrient-enriching capacity of the effluent.

In general, the plant produces a good quality effluent that is predominantly compliant with the requirements of the UWWT regulations. It is of not however, that the Philipstown River has a low assimilative capacity for Phosphorus, and consequently sampling of the river downstream of the plant indicates that the river is only of Moderate Status for phosphorus concentration according the W F D classification system (0.097 mg/l).

All impacts relate to the influence of the contents of the plant effluent entering the receiving waters. No construction, land-take etc. will take place in the vicinity of the WWTPs.


Effluent discharging to freshwater catchments can lead to eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) of the receiving

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Land -ta ke; Distance from Natura 2000 site or key features of the site; Resource requirements; Emissions; Excavation requirements; Transportation requirements; Duration of construction, operation etc.; Others.



waters, increases in suspended solids, build up of toxic materials, reduction of ecological diversity and the subsequent alteration of trophic food webs.

Unmitigated contamination events during the operational phase of the plant pose the risk of releasing toxic pollutants to the respective receiving waters. Such events could potentially have significant negative impacts on all of the aquatic species for which the River Barrow and River Nore cSAC has been designated. Extensive fish kills resulting from such an event may destabilize the food web of an entire sub-catchment.

Depending on the natural trophic status of the receiving water, eutrophication can result in accelerated algal growth. This has knock-on effects on aquatic ecology; dissolved oxygen levels can be affected by increased biological oxygen demand.

Reduced assimilative capacity of rivers will occur during periods of low flow. This will be further exacerbated in rivers where abstractions are located.

EPA sampling of the Philipstown and the receiving Figile River upstream of the confluence with the River Barrow show that Q- Values in the headwaters progressively improve as one moves downstream, rising from 2-3 upstream of Daingean to 4 at Clonbulloge Bridge. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that assimilative capacity of the sub-catchment improves downstream and the effects of potential nutrient enrichment are significantly reduced. The overall distance from the cSAC boundary (35km) means that any acute impacts will be predominantly negated against.

The current average phosphorus output of the Daingean plant is only very slightly above the threshold for plants discharging to sensitive rivers, and in the context of the surrounding agricultural pressures, it cannot be considered that it is significantly contributing to the P content of the catchment. The proposed addition of ferric dosing to remove even more phosphorus from the treated effluent will further ameliorate this situation.

The WWTP discharge will not cause the direct disturbance or reduction of any Annex I habitats.

O f the qualifying species for the site, the following are not expected to be impacted for the following reasons:

Twaite shad - Distribution restricted to lower reaches of River Barrow Allis shad - Distribution restricted to lower reaches of River Barrow Sea lamprey - Distribution restricted to lower reaches of

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Describe any likely impacts on

River Barrow Freshwater pearl mussel - Not present in Rivers Barrow, Figile and Philipstown Nore freshwater pearl mussel - Not present in Rivers Barrow, Figile and Philipstown Killarney fern - Terrestrial species Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail - Terrestrial species

The remaining qualifying interests may be affected in a number of ways:

Accelerated algae and plant growth within river water columns leads to shifts in diurnal oxygen concentrations. This in turn leads to loss of biological indicator macroinvertebrate species. These species form the bases of salmonid feeding patterns, and their loss may lead to alterations in river ecology as other less sensitive invertebrate species begin to dominate. Loss of salmonids will in turn affect the feeding ecology of otter populations within the sub-catchment and may reduce the carrying capacity of the constituent rivers.

Crayfish sensitivity to changes in water quality can result in significant losses following pollution incidents. Eutrophication can lead to luxuriant plant growth, which in turn traps silt and can result in deoxygenation at night, leading to loss of crayfish ha bitat.

Salmonid spawning grounds may be significantly impacted by the increased growth of plants on the river substrate. Such growth will also impede the movement of Lamprey and juvenile fish, and also reduce the recruitment success of White-clawed crayfish. This habitat shift has already been noted in the Philipstown River, where the river substrate has become over-run with aquatic macrophytes.

The EPA Report “Climate Change - Scenarios & Impacts for Ireland found in a study of six different catchments nationwide that, “the greatest change, an annual reduction in effective runoff of approximately 25% of the baseline flow, was observed for the Slaney”, the area drained by this River is in the South East of the Country where some of the greatest reductions in predicted runoff occur. The Dept. of the Environment Report “Ireland in a Warmer World, Scientific Predictions of the Irish Climate in the Twentieth First Century” states that “a significant increase of extremely low Summer flow is expected in all catchments and at all return periods”, this report also highlights that the greatest increase in risk was in the two study catchments in the South East of the Country, the Barrow and Suir where the greatest increase in temperature is predicted. Such changes will progressively reduce the assimilative capacity of the River Barrow catchment through overall reduced flows.

The key ecological relationships that define the structure and


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the Natura 2000 site as a whole in terms of:



Describe from the above those elements of the project or plan, or combination of elements, where the above impacts are likely to be significant or where the scale of magnitude of impacts is not known.

output

function of the River Barrow and River Nore cSAC are likely to be impacted by ongoing nutrient enrichment of its constituent rivers. The respective WWTPs may be contributing to this enrichment due to overloading and/or lack of functioning equipment. This may have direct effects by reducing dissolved oxygen and leading to loss of species. Indirect effects include loss of river substrate with specific ecological function (e.g. spawning gravel) due to blanketing with opportunistic aquatic plants.

However, it considered that such enrichment is almost entirely resultant from agricultural activities in the sub-catchment and that the Daingean is not significantly contributing to this situation.

Ortho-P concentrations within the Barrow catchment have been recorded as elevated, with recent increases recorded since the last EPA sampling phase for the river system (2007). This may be having a eutrophying effect on the overall catchment, and while not necessarily sourced from the discharges, it is likely to act in conjunction with W W T P discharges throughout the catchment to lower aquatic habitat quality.

The most sensitive qualifying interests within the catchment (Atlantic salmon, Lamprey and White-clawed crayfish) can be significantly impacted by moderate reductions in water quality.

It should be noted that dilution factors and biological action will result in impacts to the cSAC being significantly less than if the Daingean discharge was inside the site boundary.

The screening exercise finds that while nutrient enrichment in the Philipstown River is a concern, this is related to agricultural activities in the region and the Daingean plant is contributing relatively little to the overall loading of the catchment. The implementation of the Nitrates Directive will in time reduce phosphate run-off from farmland.

The proposed ferric dosing at the plant will serve to reduce localised effects on the Philipstown River.

N o significant impacts to the conservation objectives of the River Barrow and River Nore cSAC are envisaged as a result of the discharge, and no further is assessment is required.


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Appendix 3

Dove Grove Callows SPA

Location


Brief description

Wastewater treatment plants located at Shinrone and Kinnitty, County Offaly

Shinrone WWTP: 28km: Effluent discharges to the Little Brosna River upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Kinnitty WWTP: 16km: Effluent discharges to the Camcor River upstream of the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Shinrone WWTP

The existing Wastewater Treatment Works serving Shinrone is located to the south of the village on a site adjacent to a small stream above its confluence with the Little Brosna River, and approximately 700m from the centre of the village. The original WWTP at Shinrone was installed more than 35 years ago for a design population of 400. Upgrading works to the Shinrone WWTP are included in the WSlP as part of the Offaly Towns and Villages sewerage scheme. As the plant was coming under increased pressure due to recent population increases, and the procurement of proposed upgrading works would be expected to take approximately three to five years, Offaly County Council decided to advance certain works to immediately improve the quality of the effluent from the works and allow for sustainable development in the village over this period. The recently completed temporary works result in an increase in the design load for the plant to 1,000 PE, which allows for the connection of approximately 80 additional houses over the interim period and safeguards effluent quality from the plant.

Sludge from Shinrone is exported to Birr for dewatering prior to onward transportation to Tullamore for further treatment and disposal.

The final effluent from Shinrone WWTP is discharged to the Little Brosna River. The results from the most recent monitoring of the treated effluent from the Shinrone plant show that the works continue to produce a good quality effluent.

Offaly County Council proposes to upgrade the existing treatment plant to serve the longer term needs of the village, to a proposed design of 1500PE. This upgrade will also include phosphorus removal.

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Describe from the above those elements of the project or plan, or combination of elements, where the above impacts are likely to be significant or where the scale of magnitude of impacts is not known.

output

As stated, the Mucklagh WWTP generates an effluent thatdoes no interact with the ecology of the qualifying interests of the site. No impacts are therefore envisaged.

The screening exercise finds that as neither of the qualifying interests of the Charleville Wood cSAC are water dependent, no impacts are likely to result from the ongoing operation of the Mucklagh plant. No further assessment is therefore required.

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Size and scale; Land-take; Distance from Natura 2000 site or key features of the site; Resource requirements; Emissions; Excavation requirements; Transportation requirements; Duration of construction, operation etc.; Others.



Describe any likely impacts on the Natura 2000 site as a whole in terms of:



Callows SAC/SPA means that negative impacts to the Natura 2000 sites are unlikely.



Despite the siting of Mucklagh W W T P in direct proximity to Charleville wood, no disrutption to the site is projected to occur from the day to day operation of the plant.

~

N o changes to the site will occur as a result of the ongoing discharge to the River Clodiagh. Neither the qualifying habitat nor the qualifying species for the site are water dependent and will be in no way affected by the discharge.

None.

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i RYiN

Condition

Conservation interests - cSAC


Charleville W o o d is one of the most important ancient woodland sites in Ireland. The woodland has a varied age structure and is relatively intact with both areas of closed canopy and open areas with regenerating saplings present. The understorey and ground layers are also well represented.

Species:

Habitats:

Narrow whorl mouthed snail Vertigo moulinsiana

Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in British Isles

Mucklagh WWTP

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Mucklagh effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant do not generally comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of BOD 25 mg/l, COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. The effluent is of very low quality.

However, an interim upgrade to the W W T P to 1 1 OOPE is near completion. This will act a s a temporary measure before a proposed sewage pumping station for Mucklagh is constructed at the existing W W T P site. Upon commissioning of this interim plant, it is expected that the effluent quality will be significantly improved and will be under the 25/35/125 threshold values.

In spite of the low quality effluent issuing from the Mucklagh plant, water quality sampling downstream of the plant indicates that all relevant parameters (BOD, Ammonia & MRP) are in compliance with the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009), and the Clodiagh River maintains high or good water quality status under the Water Framework Directive classification.

However, the 2009 EPA river quality report states that “the lower reaches were in a generally unsatisfactory ecological condition with slight pollution noted at Annamoe Bridge (0400) and also at Rahan (0500)”. Both these sites lie downstream of the Mucklagh WWTP, and it is feasible to suggest that the pre-upgrade effluent may have been leading to a decrease in water quality. Ecological recovery is also discernible downstream of the Clodiagh’s confluence with the Brosna.

The combination of the upgrade works and the recovery in water quality between the Mucklagh W W T P and the Shannon

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Name

Designation

Basis

Description

Area

Charleville W o o d cSAC

Candidate Special Area of Conservation / Special Protection Area


From NP WS Site Synopsis:

Charleville W o o d is a large Oak woodland surrounded by estate parkland and agricultural grassland located about 3 km south-west of Tullamore. The site, which is underlain by deep glacial deposits, includes a small lake with a wooded island, and a stream runs along the western perimeter. The woodland is considered to be one of very few ancient woodlands remaining in Ireland, with some parts undisturbed for at least 200 years. Some 10% of the woodland has been underplanted with conifers and other exotic trees, but the rest of the area is dominated b y Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur).

Apart from Oak, there is much Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and scattered Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra), while Birch (Betula spp.) is a feature of the boggier margins. The shrub layer is composed largely of Hazel (Corylus avellana), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). The ground layer is varied, including damp flushed slopes with Ramsons (Allium ursinum) and drier, more open areas with a moss sward composed largely of Rhytidiadelphus triquefris. The fungal flora of the woodland is notable for the presence of several rare Myxomycete species, namely Hemitrichia calyculafa, P erichaena depressa, Amaurochaete afra, Collaria arcyrionema, Stemonitis nigrescens and Diderma deplanata.

A number of unusual insects have also been recorded in Charleville Wood, notably Mycetobia obscura (Diptera), a species known from only one other site in Ireland. The site is also notable for the presence of a large population of the rare snail species, Vertigo moulinsiana. Extensive swamps of Bulrush (Jypha lafifolia) and Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata) have developed in the lake shallows. The lake is an important wildfowl habitat - it supports populations of Mute and Whooper Swan and a number of duck species, including Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Pochard and Tufted Duck. The wooded island at its centre is famed for its long history of non-disturbance. Hazel, Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) and Ivy (Hedera helix) reach remarkable sizes here.

Old Oak woodland is a habitat listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive, while the rare snail species, Vertigo rnoulinsiana, is listed on Annex I I of this directive. The wetland areas, with their associated bird populations, the rare insect and Myxomycete species contribute further to the conservation significance of the site.

377.5ha

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Appendix 4

Charleville Wood cSAC

Location


Brief description


Wastewater treatment plants located at Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Mucklagh WWTP: Effluent discharges to the Camcor River inside the cSAC/SPA boundary.

Mucklagh WWTP

The existing W W T P serving Mucklagh is located adjacent to the Clodiagh River approximately 220m upstream of Mucklagh Bridge on the N52. Recent measurements of the quality of the final effluent from the plant show that the normal 25/35 (BOD/Suspended Solids) standard is frequently being exceeded and that the overall standard of treatment provided is unsatisfactory. The poor plant performance is thought to be as a direct result of hydraulic overloading with the final clarifier overloaded to the point that sludge is washed out over the side weirs. This can lead to a breakdown in the activated sludge process and can take several weeks for the plant to generate sufficient sludge for the process to become effective again. In addition to the above, the site of the W W T P is sometimes flooded by the River Clodiagh which also results in sludge being washed out and occasional burning-out of the motor for the rotor aerator.

An interim upgrade to the W W T P to 1 1 OOPE is near completion. This will act as a temporary measure before a proposed sewage pumping station for Mucklagh is constructed at the existing W W T P site. This will transfer flows to the Tullamore collection system for treatment.

The temporary upgrade works proposed will be designed to maintaining a 25/35 final effluent discharge standard and would represent a significant improvement from the current standard, which is highly unsatisfactory. No phosphorus removal currently takes place or is to form part of the temporary upgrade.

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output The Shinrone and Kinnitty plants are considered to be producing high quality effluents that will not have impacts on the conservation objectives of the Dove Grove Callows SPA.

The screening exercise therefore concludes that no further assessment is required.

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Distance from Natura 2000 site or key features of the site; Resource requirements; Emissions; Excavation requirements; Transportation requirements; Duration of construction, operation etc.; Others.



Describe any likely impacts on the Natura 2000 site as a whole in terms of:


Interference with key relationships that define the Function of the site.

lescribe from the above those dements of the project or plan, 3r combination of elements, Nhere the above impacts are ikely to be significant or Nhere the scale of magnitude >f impacts is not known.

lead to increased growth of certain grasses or other flood plain trophic shifts. This has the potential to affect the feeding ecology of over-wintering bird species.

Unmitigated contamination events during the operational phase of the plant pose the risk of releasing toxic pollutants to the respective receiving waters. Such events could potentially have significant negative impacts on the water-dependent bird species for which the Dove Grove Callows SPA has been designated.

Such impacts from emissions are considered highly unlikely as both the Shinrone and Kinnittty plants have recently been upgraded and are currently generating very high quality effluents.

The operation of the Shinrone and Kinnitty W W T P s will not cause the direct disturbance or reduction of any Annex I habitats.

The high quality of the plant effluents are not expected to lead to any changes in the Natura 2000 site as the effluents contain acceptably low levels of nutrients which are readily assimilated by the receiving rivers.

The key physical ecological relationships that define the structure and function of the Dove Grove Callows SPA are more connected to the flooding regime of the site than to overall water quality. However, the productivity of the site in terms of food resources for the various qualifying interests should not be discounted.

The SPA could theoretically be impacted by nutrient enrichment of the Little Brosna and its tributaries. However, eutrophication pressures are relatively low on the Little Brosna sub-catchment and it maintains a high status under the W F D rating system.

The upgraded Shinrone and Kinnitty plants are likely to be contributing to the cumulative removal of organically enriching material entering the catchment; It is planned to add phosphorus removal to both systems once funding becomes available.

The main pressures on the Dove Grove Callows are from agricultural practices (mowing & drainage) and recreational activities. It is not considered likely that the Shinrone or Kinnitty discharges would interact with these pressures in any way.

Nutrient enrichment in the overall catchment from agricultural run-off in the sub-catchment is also likely to be reduced in the coming years through the implementation of the Nitrates Directive.

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/ R Y A N

Iescribe any likely direct, ndirect or secondary impacts >f the project (either alone or n combination with other Aans or projects) on the qatura 2000 site by virtue of:

Size and scale; .and-take;

Kinnitty WWTP

Interim works on the Kinnitty plant were completed 2009, and provided for an increase in the design population of the plant to 750PE. Effluent sampling was carried out during this upgrade period, and a progressive improvement in effluent quality is discernible from the results.

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Kinnitty effluent in 2008/2009 shows that samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of COD 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. Mean levels were very slightly above the 25mg/l threshold for BOD (27.9 mg/l), though this is no longer likely to be the case as sample figures following completion of works are all below the aforementioned threshold. The plant is currently operating within its operational parameters. The Camcor River is not classed as a sensitive river.

Downstream sampling of the receiving Camcor River reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met. The Silver River downstream of the plant maintains high status under the Water Framework Directive classification.

The most recent EPA water quality sampling report that: In the lower reaches of the Camcor the paucity of sensitive macroinvertebrate fauna indicated unsatisfactory ecological conditions at Drumcullen bridge (0300) below Kinnity and Elmgrove Bridge (0700) in Birr. Excessive siltation and increased compaction of the river bed substrate was noted at all locations surveyed in the lower reaches reducing habitat availability for sensitive macroinvertebrate species.

These EPA findings are mainly related to physical aspects of the waterbody and impacts from surrounding landuse; nutrient enrichment is not mentioned as a negative pressure.



411 impacts relate to the influence of the contents of the plant effluent entering the receiving waters. No construction, land-take ptc. will take place in the vicinity of the W W T P .


Effluent discharging to freshwater catchments can lead to eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) of the receiving waters. Nutrient enriched water flooding over land may

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Conservation interests - SPA


- Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens), Soft Rush (Juncus effusus) and, in places, Marsh Foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus). The site is an important feeding area for the internationally important Little Brosna Greenland White-fronted Goose flock (527 individuals - 5 year mean of winter maximum, 1994/95 to 1998/99) and is used on an occasional basis when other feeding sites along the middle Shannon and Little Brosna callows are flooded. It is of particular importance as it can support the entire Little Brosna flock. For this reason the site is a key part of this flock’s winter range and important for its protection.

Dovegrove Callows SPA is of major conservation significance as a feeding site for an internationally important flock of Greenland White-fronted Goose, a species that is listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive.

Feeding area for internationally important population of Greenland White-fronted Goose.

Shinrone WWTP

Interim works on the Shinrone plant were completed 2009, and provided for an increase in the design population of the plant to 1,000PE. Effluent sampling was carried out during this upgrade period, and a progressive improvement in effluent quality is discernible from the results.

Information supplied in the licence application relating to water quality sampling of the Shinrone effluent in 2008/2009 shows that BOD and COD samples from the plant comply with the requirements under the Urban Wastewater Directive of C O D 125 mg/l and SS of 35 mg/l. Mean levels were slightly above the 35mg/l threshold for SS (48.6 mg/l), though this is no longer likely to be the case as sample figures following completion of works are all below the aforementioned threshold. The plant is currently operating within its operational parameters.

The Little Brosna River is classed as a sensitive river. The levels of P and N in the effluent are slightly higher than those required for sensitive rivers. However, downstream sampling of the receiving Little Brosna River reveals that the requirements of the Surface Water Regulations (2009) are all being met. The river downstream of the plant therefore maintains high status under the Water Framework Directive classification.



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Name

Designation

Basis

Description

Kinnitty WWTP

Kinnitty is served by a combined sewerage collection system which discharges to the W W T P on the Kilcormac Road, to the north-west of the village. The collection system and the original treatment plant date from the early 1970s.

The original wastewater treatment works for the village was a septic tank producing a very poor quality effluent, which then discharged to the Camcor River. This was a matter of particular concern to Offaly County Council and an interim scheme was implemented to improve the quality of the effluent from the plant and provide a small increase in treatment capacity. These works were completed 2009, and provided for an increase in the design population of the plant to 750PE.

However, as these works were undertaken as an interim scheme, only the most critical elements for an immediate improvement in effluent quality were completed. Screening has been put in place, though at this stage no degritting, stormwater storage or phosphorus removal has been provided. The use of the septic tank as a primary settlement tank is a temporary measure and ultimately, new settlement tanks will be required. The scheme is not currently on the W S l P schedule.

After this basic secondary treatment, the effluent discharges to the Camcor River.

No.

Dovegrove Callows SPA

Special Protection Area

EU Birds Directive

From NP WS Site Synopsis:

Dovegrove Callows is an area of callowland beside the Little Brosna River 2 km downstream from Birr, Co. Offaly and 5 km upstream from the start of the main area of River Little Brosna callows. The main habitat is wet grassland which floods. The grassland is regularly used b y a flock of Greenland White- fronted Geese, and a variety of other waterfowl in winter. The site is a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the E.U. Birds Directive, of special conservation interest for Greenland White- fronted Goose. The E.U. Birds Directive pays particular attention to wetlands, and as these form part of this SPA, the site and its associated waterbirds are of special conservation interest for Wetland & Waterbirds.

The wet grassland supports species typical species of this habitat

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English KINNITTY WASTE WATER TREATMENT WORKS … · aSW-Id 2 1 7839 / 2061 35 Parameter Results...

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