Nenagh Water Management Unit Action Plan

Name Nenagh Water Management Unit

Area 571 km2

River Basin District Shannon RBD

Main Counties Tipperary

Protected Areas

Drinking Water: 1; Lough Derg pHMWB.Bathing Water: 1; Lough Derg.UWWTD Waters: 2 including: Lough Derg on the River Shannon, River Nenagh.SACs: 5 including: Kilduff Devilsbit Mountain, Silvermine Mountains, Bolingbrook Hill, Lower River Shannon, Silvermines Mountains West.

Sectoral Total Phosphorus Source (This does not imply impact)

01020304050607080

Agriculture

Unsewered Population

Forestry

Urban Areas

Worked Peatlands

Unsewered Industr

Waste W

ater Treatment P

lanAquaculture

Background Loss

es

%

Calculated in accordance with OSPAR HARP Guidelines. Not an indication of risk, rather an indication of potential to cause risk.

Nenagh Water Management Unit Action Plan

River Status

STATUS/IMPACTS

Overall status 29 River water bodies – 1 High, 6 Good, 15 Moderate and 7 Poor. No Lakes.

Status elements Physchem dictates overall status in 3 good and 1 moderate water body, the remainder are dictated by Q (macroinvertebrates) score. Chemical status not monitored.

Possible Impacts -EPA Water Quality 2007

BALLINTOTTY Assessment: 2008 Q= 3-4at 0100 and 0300. The dominance of pollution tolerant macroinvertebrate taxa continues to indicate lessthan satisfactory ecological conditions at the two locations surveyed in 2008. Excessive weed growth and siltation were also noted at onsedine bridge (0300).

BALLYFINBOYAssessment: 2008: Q 3-4 along river from stations 0070, 0250, 0300, 0600 to Q4 at Station 0800. Generally unsatisfactory condition when surveyed in 2008. A decline in ecological quality was noted at stations 0250, 0300 and 0400 with only a slight improvement notedat station 0800. Extreme calcification of the substratum was again noted at stations 0400 and 0800 . Sewage And Agricultural sources suspected.

BALLYQUIVEEN STREAM Assessment: 2008 = Q4. The macroinvertebrate fauna indicated satisfactory ecological conditions when surveyed in 2008. Some signs of enrichment were evident however with increasing occurrence of pollution tolerant macroinvertebrate species and excessivemacrophyte growth evident.

DOLLAAssessment: 2008=Q4. Continuing satisfactory in 2008.

GARRYARD STREAMAssessment: Although considerably improved since 2002 a very restricted macroinvertebrate fauna which was devoid of sensitive species indicated some considerable ecological disruption in this small stream in September 2005. Chemical analysis in 2004 revealed high levels of Cadmium, Zinc and Manganese. Formerly reported as Yellow (Kilmastulla) 25Y010100 and Kilmastulla25K040400 (K1/4).

GORTNAGOWNAAssessment: 2008=Q4. Continuing satisfactory in 2008 although the macroinvertebrate fauna indicated a slight decline from high to good ecological status.

KILMASTULLAAssessment: The Kilmastulla was in an unsatisfactory ecological condition in 2008, Q3-4 at all monitoring locations along the river. The lack of sensitive macroinvertebrate fauna, heavy siltation and compaction of substratum indicated ecological disruption in theupper reaches (0120). Although an improvement in macroinvertebrate diversity was noted at Crana Bridge (0800), the dominanceof pollution tolerant taxa and paucity of sensitive species coupled with enhanced macrophyte growth and excessive siltation continued to indicate unsatisfactory enriched conditions. The macroinvertebrate fauna indicated an unwelcome decline in ecological quality at Cool Bridge (1000). In the upper reaches (0120) the most likely causes are sewage and agriculture, while in the lowerreaches agriculture and seepage/runoff from the vast Silvermines tailings area are suspected as the most likely sources of pollution.Major roadworks in the area may also be contributing to the silt loading.

3%

21%

52%

24%

Yet to be determined

Bad

Poor

Moderate

Good

High

Nenagh Water Management Unit Action PlanSTATUS/IMPACTS

Possible Impacts -EPA Water Quality 2007

NENAGH2008 Assessment: The Nenagh River remains in a satisfactory ecological condition in the upper reaches (0100, 0200 and 0300) however an unwelcome loss of the only remaining high ecological status site was noted at Cloghinch Bridge (0100). Some signs of enrichment were evident in the upper reaches with excessive siltation and enhanced macrophyte growth noted. The lower reaches (0500, 0700, 0800) were again in an unsatisfactory ecological condition when surveyed in 2008. The paucity of sensitive acroinvertebrate fauna coupled with the dominance of pollution tolerant species, enhanced macrophyte and algal growth and Excessive siltation continues to indicate significant eutrophication and ecological disruption. Sewage, agriculture and Industry suspected sources of pollution.

OLLATRIM2008 Assessment: At least one large sandpit is located in the Ballybeg area (0040) where, coincidentally, extreme silt deposition allied with excessive weed production again indicated ecological disruption in 2008. The middle reaches (0150 and 0250) of the Ollatrim River remained in a satisfactory ecological condition. Excessive siltation was noted at both stations. The dominance of pollution tolerant macroinvertebrate species coupled with enhanced weed and algal production indicated eutrophic conditions in the lower reaches (0400 and 0600) once again in 2008. Heavy siltation and low dissolved oxygen concentrations were also observed at Rathurles Bridge (0400). Agriculture and sewage suspected sources of pollution.

SILVERMINES VILLAGE STREAMAssessment: Unsatisfactory ecological conditions persist downstream of Silvermines Village in 2008 (Q3.4). A slight improvement inthe macroinvertebrate fauna was noted at Kilmore Bridge (0100). Sewage suspected.

YELLOW (KILMASTULLA) RIVERAssessment: The Yellow (Kilmastulla) River was in an unsatisfactory ecological condition downstream of the Garryard Stream confluence (0300) when surveyed in September 2008. The relative scarcity of macroinvertebrate fauna coupled with the complete lack of sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa indicated ecological disruption. Increased siltation was also noted. Lead and zinc levels are knownto be high at this location. Note: Station 0200 is reported by Kilkenny Regional laboratory as Kilmastulla Station 0500, Station 0300 (above) as Kilmastulla 0600 and the Garryard Stream (qv) is reported as Kilmastulla Station 0400.

Nenagh Water Management Unit Action PlanPRESSURES/RISKS

Nutrient sources 86% TP is diffuse, mainly from agriculture (76%), with remaining from unsewered properties (6%), forestry (3%), WWTP (14%).

Point pressures 6 WWTPs: Moneygall, Borrisokane , Cloughjordan, Nenagh, Silvermines, Toomevara.1 Waste Facility (Ballaghveny Landfill)2 IPPCs: Meat Processor, Co-Op Creamery.I former IPPC Contaminated Land: Pharmaceutical in Nenagh7 Section-4 discharges: 2 Public House/Restaurants, Cement Producer/Quarry, Nursing Home, Quarry, 2 Housing Developments

Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and Industrial Discharges

The following WWTPs are at risk:Borrisokane WWTPCloughjordan WWTPMoneygall WWTPNenagh WWTPSilverminesToomevara

The following industries are at risk:Creamery, Meat Processor

Quarries, Mines & Landfills

9 quarries. 0 at risk. 3 mines (Silvermines) 6 landfills - Silvermines Landfill, Bawn Landfill, Nenagh Landfill, Ballaghveny Landfill, Cloughjordan Landfill, Toomevara Landfill. 0 at risk.

PRESSURES/RISKS

Quarries, Mines & Landiflls At Risk

3 mines – Silvermines, Silvermines_TMF, Silvermines_Shallee. 2 mines at risk. Silvermines falls into a number of WMUs: SH_25_1970, SH_25_3715, SH_25_1886. Silvermines_TMF falls into a number of WMUs: SH_25_1886, SH_25_1970, SH_25_3859.

Agriculture 23 WBs at risk - SH_25_3715, SH_25_403, SH_25_402, SH_25_1886, SH_25_1843, SH_25_3, SH_25_3403, SH_25_3615, SH_25_783, SH_25_1276, SH_25_2397, SH_25_1506, SH_25_1819, SH_25_2140, SH_25_3670, SH_25_3381, SH_25_335, SH_25_3859, SH_25_1970, SH_25_37, SH_25_3530, SH_25_3175, SH_25_3881.

On-site systems There are 4521 septic tanks within this WMU, 1132 of these are located in areas of very high or extreme risk.

Forestry 0 WBs at risk

Dangerous substances

0 WBs at risk

Morphology 8 WBs at risk - SH_25_3, SH_25_403, SH_25_402, SH_25_2140, SH_25_1843, SH_25_3670, SH_25_335, SH_25_3881.

Abstractions 0 At Risk

Other None

Throughout the river basin management cycle future pressures and developments will need to be managed to ensure compliance with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive and the Programme of Measures will need to be developed to ensure issues associated with these new pressures are addressed.

Future Pressures and Developments

Morphological pressures in the Nenagh WMU require 8 channelisation investigation to establish if supplementary measures are required to address water quality issues associated with morphology. Abstractions - Future abstractions licensing programme and assessment

Other

SELECTED ACTION PROGRAMMENB All relevant basic measures, general supplementary measures and SEA mitigation measures apply

Point Sources WWTP measures are summarised in the Table below WWTP upgrades & licensing to be implemented where required. Examine the terms of discharge authorisations to determine whether they require review for the purpose of compliance with water body objectives including protected area objectives and environmental quality standards.

Diffuse Sources Good Agricultural Practice regulations inspections/enforcement..Septic Tanks: At Risk septic tanks are to be prioritised for inspections. Subsequent upgrade or connection to municipal systems depends on inspection and economic tests. Other diffuse sources may need recommandations.

OBJECTIVES

Restore 2015Protect

10 water bodies. 7 Water bodies

Alternative Objectives Extended deadlines – 8 River Waterbody Extensions with 2021 deadlines. 4 River Waterbodies with 2027 deadlines. No Heavily Modified or Artificial WaterbodiesNo New modifications (2021)

Point Source Discharge County Priority Measure (Capital Works)Cloughjordan WWTP North Tipp 2 Increase capacity of treatment plant.Cloughjordan WWTP North Tipp 2 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall.Moneygall WWTP Offaly 2 Increase capacity of treatment plant.Moneygall WWTP Offaly 2 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall.Silvermines North Tipp 2 Increase capacity of treatment plant.Silvermines North Tipp 2 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall.Toomevara North Tipp 2 Increase capacity of treatment plant.

Point Source Discharge County Priority Measure (Investigation before Capital Works)

Toomevara North Tipp 3 Investigate the need for tertiary treatment or for the relocation of the outfall.

Point Source Discharge County Priority MeasureBorrisokane WWTP North Tipp 3 Investigation of CSO'sNenagh WWTP North Tipp 3 Investigation of CSO'sSilvermines North Tipp 3 Investigation of CSO'sToomevara North Tipp 3 Investigation of CSO's

Point Source Discharge County Priority MeasureNenagh WWTP North Tipp 2 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not exceeded

Nenagh Water Management Unit Action PlanRiver Data

County Member State Code

Mon

itored Y

(Extrapolated N)

Don

or Waterbody

Macroin

vertebrates (Q

)

FreshW

ater Pearl

Mu

ssel

Fish

Ph

ytobenth

os (D

iatoms)

Morph

ology

Specific Polu

tants

Ph

ysio-chem

ical

Ecological Status

Ch

emical Statu

s

Special Area of

Con

servation

Special Protection

A

rea

Nu

trient Sen

sitive W

aters

Drin

king W

ater

Objective

Date objective to

be achieved

North Tipp SH_25_124 N SH_25_2596 G GES 2009

North Tipp SH_25_1276 N SH_25_1851 P GES 2021

North Tipp SH_25_1506 N SH_25_3686 M GES 2015

North Tipp SH_25_1819 Y G G GES 2009

North Tipp SH_25_1843 Y G G GES 2009

North Tipp SH_25_1886 Y P H P Y Y GES 2027

North Tipp SH_25_1970 Y M H M Y Y GES 2027

North Tipp SH_25_2140 Y M H M Y Y GES 2015

North Tipp SH_25_2329 N SH_25_2551 M Y Y GES 2015

North Tipp SH_25_2397 Y G G Y GES 2009

North Tipp SH_25_2421 N SH_25_1874 G GES 2009

North Tipp SH_25_3175 N SH_25_3403 P GES 2021

North Tipp SH_25_3179 Y G M M Y Y GES 2015

North Tipp SH_25_335 Y M M M Y GES 2021

North Tipp SH_25_3381 N SH_25_1853 M GES 2015

North Tipp SH_25_3403 Y P P GES 2021

North Tipp SH_25_364 Y H H Y HES 2009

North Tipp SH_25_3670 Y G G GES 2009

North Tipp SH_25_37 N SH_25_1851 P GES 2021

North Tipp SH_25_3715 Y P G P Y Y GES 2027

North Tipp SH_25_3775 N SH_25_2551 M Y GES 2015

North Tipp SH_25_3859 N SH_25_3686 M GES 2021

North Tipp SH_25_3881 Y M H M Y GES 2027

North Tipp SH_25_402 Y M H M GES 2021

North Tipp SH_25_403 Y M G M GES 2015

North Tipp SH_25_783 N SH_25_2530 M GES 2015

North Tipp, Offaly SH_25_3 Y M H M GES 2015

North Tipp, Offaly SH_25_3530 Y P G P GES 2021

Offaly, North Tipp SH_25_3615 Y M M M GES 2015

Biological Elements Supporting Elements Protected AreasIE_SH_Nenagh