Small Streams Risk Score Assessment of Dromore River

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division, Cootehill, Co. Cavan

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DOCUMENT DETAILS Client: F.J. Coyle and Associates Project title: Small Streams Risk Score Assessment of

Dromore River

Project Number: 150604 Document Title: Small Streams Risk Score Report Doc. File Name: 150604 - SSRS- 2015.10.21 - F Prepared By: McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan Ltd.

Planning & Environmental Consultants Block 1, G.F.S.C. Moneenageisha Road, Galway

Document Issue: Rev Status Issue Date Document File Name Author(s) Approved By:

01 Final 21.10.2015 150604 - SSRS- 2015.10.21 - F LK PR

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McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan Ltd. – Planning & Environmental Consultants 1

Table of Contents

1  Introduction ............................................................................................ 1 

2  Background ............................................................................................ 1 

3  Method ................................................................................................... 2 

4  Results ................................................................................................... 4 

5  Conclusions ............................................................................................ 4 

6  References ............................................................................................. 5 

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Small Streams Risk Score Report 150604 – SSRS Report – 2015.10.21 - F

McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan Ltd. – Planning & Environmental Consultants 1

1 INTRODUCTION

McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan, on behalf of F.J. Coyle and Associates, has been requested to carry out a biological assessment of the Dromore River, located adjacent to Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division, Cootehill, Co. Cavan. The means of assessment used is known as the Small Streams Risk Score. In this method, the macroinvertebrates present in the water course are analysed and a grade of water quality is given to the water course based on the numbers and types of macroinvertebrate species present. The system looks at five main groups of macroinvertebrate;

Ephemeroptera (Mayfly) Plecoptera (Stonefly) Trichoptera (Caddis Fly) G.O.L.D. (Gastropods, Oligochaetes, Leeches, Diptera) Asellus

Each group is given a score based on the number of taxa present and their abundance. Species that are more sensitive to pollution (e.g. Mayfly) are given a higher score and those that are more tolerant of pollution (e.g. Asellus) are given a lower score. To obtain the final score, the score associated with each group is added together and divided by 5 to get an average result. This average is then multiplied by two to give the final Small Streams Risk Score. A sample score sheet can be seen in Appendix I attached to this report. Table 1.1 below shows the categories associated with the final score. Table 1.1 SSRS Categories

Score Status >8 Probably not at risk 6.5-8 Probably at risk <6.5 At risk

2 BACKGROUND

Macroinvertebrates are small animals that do not have a back bone and are large enough to see with the naked eye. They exist in a number of wetland habitats and are sensitive to physical and chemical changes within a water system. For this reason macroinvertebrates can be used as indicators of the quality of a waterbody. Macroinvertebrates also exist in the environment all year round and therefore provide a continuous sample for analysis. Under the Water Framework Directive all of Ireland’s waterbodies are to reach ‘Good’ status by 2015. The Small Streams Risk Score (SSRS) method was developed in 2005 by the Western River Basin District in conjunction with the EPA in an effort to provide baseline data for these waterbodies. The SSRS method focuses on first and second order streams and assists in identifying point source pollution which may otherwise be unidentified in a larger river downstream. The Small Streams Risk Score along with the EPA Quality Rating System (Q-Value) and other elements such as water chemistry, fish and vegetation will provide status assessments for the Water Framework Directive.

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McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan Ltd. – Planning & Environmental Consultants 2

3 METHOD

Fieldwork was carried out on 15th October 2015. The method followed was such as set out in the “Small Streams Risk Score Method Manual, Decmeber 2005”. Two points were sampled, one upstream of the wastewater treatment outfall (ASW1) (E259740 N315172) (Plate1) and one downstream (ASW2) (E259666 N315221) (Plate 2), see Figure 3.1. A net of 500µm pore size and a metal frame was used and kick sampling was carried out from one side of the river to the other for a duration of 2 minutes. The net was held against the substrate at a distance of 1-2 feet downstream of where the kicking took place. In the case of the upstream sample point (ASW1) there was little flow and the water was deeper, therefore the net needed to be swept more within the water column in order to collect the disturbed samples. Care was taken to remove specimens from rock surfaces during the sampling. Once the kick sampling was completed samples were transferred to a shallow white tray with a little river water and SSRS analysis carried out. The samples were then transferred to 3L Ziplock bags and fixed with 70% ethanol solution for further analysis.

Plate 1 Sampling station upstream of wastewater sewage treatment outfall (ASW1).

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McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan Ltd. – Planning & Environmental Consultants 3

Plate 2 Sampling station downstream of wastewater sewage treatment outfall (ASW2) It should be noted that kick sampling should preferably be carried out in a riffle area (i.e. shallower areas of water flowing /breaking over stones) or glide area (slightly deeper water with good flow) and the sampling points used were not ideal. Sample station ASW 1 in particular would be described more as a pool with little flow. Consequently SSRS results may indicate that the river is more “at risk” than is actually the case. However, given that previous kick samples had been carried out at these locations it was necessary for continuity to sample at the marked locations. Figure 3.1 shows the sample locations marked as ASW1 and ASW 2.

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4 RESULTS

Table 4.1and 4.2 below show the species lists for samples obtained at the upstream (ASW1) and downstream (ASW2) stations. Table 4.1 Upstream station (ASW1)

Order Taxon Abundance Ephemeroptera Caenis sp. 3 Trichoptera Polycentropodidae 7 Oligochaeta Tubifiex 4 Diptera Chironomidae 5 Malacostraca Asellus 30 Amphipoda Gammaridae 6 Coleoptera Coleoptera larva 3 Seriata Tricladida 2

Table 4.2 Downstream station (ASW2)

Order Taxon Abundance Ephemeroptera Caenis sp. 10 Trichoptera Polycentropodidae 32 Diptera Chironomidae 2 Malacostraca Asellus 26 Seriata Tricladida 1

Using the SSRS method the following results were obtained for each station, see Table 4.3 Table 4.3 Small Streams Risk Score recorded at each station

Station Score Status Upstream (ASW1) 3.2 At risk Downstream (ASW2) 3.2 At risk

5 CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results recorded at each station the river is categorised as “At risk”. This is similar to the results found in the report carried out in June 2015, i.e. Upstream - 3.2 (At risk) and Downstream – 4.0 (At risk). The score recorded on the 15th October 2015 is lower than that of the June 2015 record for the downstream station (ASW2). However, the current result still falls within the same category of “at risk” and is broadly similar to the previous June result.

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6 REFERENCES

http://www.epa.ie http://www.makahwater.com/Macroinvertebrates.html http://vitalsignsme.org/macroinvertebrates “Introduction to Taxonomy &Ecology of EPT” Modules 2 and 3 (NCSU Workshop Series, Funded by NCDENR &EPA319) Elliott, J. M., Humpesch, U. H., Macan, T.T. 1988. Larvae of the British Ephemeroptera - a key with ecological notes. Freshwater Biological Association, Scientific Publication No. 49. EPA 2006. Water Framework Directive Monitoring Programme. Version 1 2006. Prepared to meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and National Regulations implementing the Water Framework Directive (S.I. No 722 of 2003) and National Regulations implementing the Nitrates Directive (S.I No. 788 of 2005). Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland. Wallace, 2003 The Beginner’s guide to Caddis (Oder Trichoptera) Vol 62 Wallace, 2007 Caddis Training Course, Supplementary larval identification notes Walsh et al. 2005, Small Streams Risk Score Method Manual

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McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan Ltd. – Planning & Environmental Consultants

Appendix Page

Small Streams Risk Score Data Sheet

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