Post on 19-May-2020
Sherwood House Telephone +353 91 5871 16 Sherwood Avenue Fax +353 91 5871 10
Taylor’s Hill Email info@ryanhanley.ie
C O N S U L T I N G E N G I N E E R S Galway Web www.ryan hanley. ie
Administration
Environmental Licensing Programme
Office of Climate, Licensing & Resource Use
Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters
P O Box 3000 Johnstown Castle Estate
CO. W E X F O R D
Our Reference
Your Reference
Date
1990/CL
12 November 2008
FAO: Dr Tom McLoughlin/Karen Creed
Re: Ballina Waste Water Discharge Licence
Application Register Number DO01 6-01
Notice in accordance with Regulation 18(3)(b) of the Waste Water Discharge
(Authorisation) Regula ti ons 2007
Dear D r McLoughlin, Ms Creed,
Please find enclosed 2 No. copies of Revision 1 of the Appropriate Assessment for the above, as
discussed.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Yours sincerely,
CLAIRE LYONS End
cc M r Paddy Mahon, f Services, MCC Ballina
DIRECTORS: MICHAEL 1. CANNON. BE. CENG. FIEI. MCIWEM. MlHT, RCONSEI (CHAIRMAN). GERARD F. GIBNEV. BE. CENG. MIEI. RCONSEI (MANAGING) DAMIAN P. HANUY, BE, MSC.(LOND), MEA, CENG, FIEI, MICE, RCONSEI, MICHAEL F. JOVCE, BE, CENG, FIEI, MCIWEM. RCONSEI,
ANITA C. IAVDEN, BE,CENG, MICE, MCIWEM. FIEI. RCONSEI, DERMOT W. LYONS, BSc, CENG. FIEI. MCIWEM. AMINsTCES. DAMIAN RINGWOOD, BSC (MGMT) MBS (NON EXECUTIVE) SECRETARY M C CAHILL
QUbLITy USUBID w PROPRIETORS RYAN HANLEY LTD REGISTERED IN IRELAND BUSINESS NO 3771 18
DUBLIN OFFICE Suite D4. The Cubes Offices, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublln 18 -Telephone +353 1 2973030 Fax +353 1 2973033 Ernall info@ryanhanleyie
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EPA Export 26-07-2013:03:13:24
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballina Waste Water Discharge Licence
Appropriate Assessment
November 2008
Sherwood House, Sherwood Avenue,
Taylor’s Hill, Galway
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EPA Export 26-07-2013:03:13:24
Report Control Sheet Ryan Hanley consulting engineers
FORM 214 Rev 000 IS0 9001 2000 Quality System
Client
Project No.
Project Title
Mayo County Council
1990
Ballina Waste Water Discharge licence Application
Report Title
Rev.
Appropriate Assessment
0
1
Status
Issue to €PA
Revised
following EPA
comment
Author(s)
Claire Lyons
Claire Lyons
Reviewed By
Claire Lyons
Claire Lyons
Approved By I Issue Date
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Ballina Waste Water Discharae Licence Application ADaroariate Assessment
Introduction
A Waste Water Discharge Licence Application for the Ballina agglomeration was lodged with
the EPA in December 2007 in accordance with the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation)
Regulations of 2007. Section F of the Application Guidance Note states that if discharges are
deemed likely to have a significant effect on a European site, an appropriate assessment of
the implications for the site in view of the sites conservation objectives must be carried out.
Following consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, we confirm that
Appropriate Assessment is required for this discharge licence application.
The European Commission publication entitled “Assessment of Plans and Projects significantly
affecting Natura 2000 sites” has generally been followed in the preparation of this
Appropriate Assessment.
Description of Development The Waste Water Discharge Application is for the licensing of 10 No. discharges from the
existing sewerage scheme that serves the Ballina agglomeration. Nine of these discharges are
directly to the River MOY/MOY Estuary and one of the discharges is to the River Brusna,
immediately upstream of its confluence with the River Moy.
These discharges are located as shown on Drawing 31 entitled “Overview of Discharge Points”
which formed part of the Waste Water Discharge Licence Application. It is included again in
Appendix 1 here for convenience. Discharge Point S W 1 is the primary discharge point and is
the treated effluent outfall from the Ballina Wastewater Treatment Plant. Discharge Points
SW2 and 3 are emergency overflows from the two principal pumping stations on the network,
and only come into operation in the event of a power failure. Discharge Points SW4 to S W 1 0
inclusive are the discharge points from combined storm overflows on the collection network.
It is noted that these discharges have been in place since at least the early 1980’s.
location of Development in relation to Designated Sites
The discharges from the Ballina agglomeration take place to the River Moy SAC 002298 and further downstream the Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC 000458. SWl is the only discharge to
the Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC, the remainder are discharged to the River Moy SAC.
The River Moy SAC comprises almost the entire freshwater element of the Moy and its
tributaries including both Loughs Conn and Cullin. The system drains a catchment area of 805 square kilometres. Most of the site is in County Mayo with some parts located in Counties Sligo
and Roscommon. The underlying geology consists mainly of Carboniferous Limestone, with
some Carboniferous Sandstone in the extreme west of the site and Dalradian Quartzites and
Schists in the southwest. The site contains a wide range of habitats, including five that are
listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats. Directive, of which two are given priority status, i.e.
alluvial wet woodlands and raised bog. The remaining three Annex I habitats are Old oak
Woodlands, Degraded Raised Bog and Rhycosporion. The site supports populations of rare
and threatened mosses, liverworts, stoneworts, ferns and flowering plants including Narrow-
leaved Helleborine (Cephalanfhera longifolia), Intermediate Wintergreen (Pyrola media) and
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P
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Ballina Waste Water Discharae Licence Aodication Amrowiate Assessment
Lesser Twayblade (listera cordata), Heath Cudweed (Omalotheca sylvatica), Great Burnet
(Sanguisorba officinalis) and Irish Lady’s-Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) and invertebrates
(White-clawed Crayfish, and the rare snail Acanthinula lamellata), fish (Sea Lamprey, Artic
Charr and Atlantic Salmon), birds (Greenland White-fronted Geese) and mammals (Otters).
The Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC possesses an excellent range of good quality coastal
habitats, including a number listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. It consists of the
long, narrow estuarine channel of the Moy, a north-facing triangular bay and dune systems.
Much of the inner part of the bay is intertidal with extensive sandflats and mudflats. For the
most part, these flats are unvegetated, but mats of Eelgrass (Zostera spp.), Beaked
Tasselweed (Ruppia maritima) and green algae (Enteromorpha spp.) occur which provide
important feeding material for birds. The dune systems at Bartragh Island, lnishcrone and Ross
are well-developed with a rich and diverse flora. Shifting dunes dominated b y Marram
(Ammophila arenaria) are located at all three sub-sites. Associated with these are embryonic
foredunes. The site still contains a relatively large area of intact fixed dunes, a priority habitat
listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. Humid dune slacks occur at Ross and Bartragh.
Salt marshes are present in sheltered areas with species typical of Atlantic salt meadows such
a s Sea Plantain (P uccinellia maritima), Thrift (Armeria maritima), Sea Aster (Aster tripolium) and
Red Fescue (Festuca rubra). Lax-flowered Sealavender (limonium humile), Saltmarsh Flat-sedge
(Blysmus rufus) and Sea Rush (luncus maritimus) are also present. O n the lower marshes, and
sheltered parts of the open mud flat:;, pioneering species such as Glasswort (Salicornia spp.)
and Seablite (Suaeda maritima) occur.
Elsewhere along the coastline are sandy beaches, shingle beaches and some bedrock shores
occasionally backed b y clay sea-cliffs. Lough Meelick is significant for the presence of the
Thinlipped Mullet, a fish, which is only occasionally found in the region. A number of rare
plants have been found in the site. The Opposite-leaved Pondweed (Groenlandia densa),
protected under the Flora (Protection) Order, 1999, has been recorded in the Moy Estuary
and Hoary Whitlowgrass (Draba incana), a Red Data Book species has been recorded from
sand dunes along the coast east of Killala town. The rare snail Vertigo angustior occurs in an
area of wet marsh and this site represents one of the few remaining examples of Vertigo
angustior in its marsh “phase”. This species is listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive as it
is considered vulnerable in Europe and has being declining throughout much of its range due to loss of habitat, in particular, drainage of wetlands. The site is very important for wintering
waterfowl, with eight species having populations of national importance. These are a s follows:
Red-breasted Merganser, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Bar-tailed
Godwit and Greenshank. Other notable populations include Golden Plover and Brent Goose.
At times Brent Geese occur in numbers of International Importance. The presence of Golden
Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit is of particular note as these species are listed on Annex I of the
EU Birds Directive.
Screening
Circular L8/08 “Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes - Protection of Natural
Heritage and National Monuments” issued by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local
Government (DEHLG) advises that initial screening be carried out for all water services projects in
order to identify potential ecological constraints. In this regard, a checklist has been drawn up by
the DEHLG. Where initial screening reveals, or cannot exclude with certainty, a likely significant
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Q
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Ballina Waste Water Dischorae Licence Amlication ADDroDriate Assessment
ecological impact, an assessment of impacts will need to be undertaken. In the case of a potential
impact on a Natura 2000 or European site (SAC‘S and SPA’S, including any candidate sites),
appropriate assessment (AA) is required under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive.
In accordance with the above, the site has been screened in accordance with Appendix I of L8/08 b y addressing the following issues;
I . Is the development in a nature conservation site?
Answer: Yes, the receiving waters for the discharges are part of the River Moy
Special Area of Conservation and the Killala Bay/Moy Estuary Special Area of
Conservation
2. Is the development in the surface water catchment of a nature conservation site (or part
of such a site)?
Answer: Yes, as above.
3. Are the qualifying habitats and species of the site water dependent?
Answer: Yes, some of them are - see site descriptions above.
4. Is the development in the surface or groundwater catchment of other water dependent Annex I1 species, other rare or protected species or salmonid waters?
Answer: Yes, the River Moy is a designated Salmonid river in accordance with SI 293
of 1988. There are also water dependent Annex II species present as noted in site
descriptions above.
5. Answer: No
Is there a WFD sub-basin plan for the site or its protected habitatslspecies?
Conclusion: Assess Impacts
L8/08 states that if the conclusion of the screening process above is to “Assess Impacts” then the
project must be referred to the DEHLG Developments Application Unit. This has been done via the Western Region office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, where it has been confirmed
that an Appropriate Assessment is required.
Appropriate Assessment
At Appropriate Assessment stage, the impact of the project or plan (either alone or in
combination with other projects or plans) on the integrity of the site is considered with respect
to the conservation objectives of the site and to its structure and function. In this case, the
project or plan is considered to be the existing sewage effluent discharges.
. Description of the plan likely to give rise to significant effects on the site
The description of the plan is given above. The likely significant effects on the site are
deterioration in water quality which could have an impact on the water dependent habitats
and species described above.
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Conservation Objectives of the Sites
There are currently no conservation management plans in place for either the River Moy
SAC or the Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC. However, it is expected that any conservation
management plan would aim to maintain the Annex I habitats for which the SAC’S have
been selected at favorable conservation status, such as alluvial wet woodlands and raised
bog, old oak woodlands, degraded raised bog, rhycosporion and intact fixed dunes. It is
also expected that any future conservation management plan would aim to maintain the
Annex II species such as white-clawed crayfish, sea lamprey, Atlantic salmon and otter, at
favourable conservation status. Other conservation objectives are likely to include
maintenance of the extent, species richness and biodiversity of the entire site and to
establish effective liaison and co-operation with landowners, legal users and relevant
authorities.
How plan will affect key species and habitats
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared prior to construction of an industrial
effluent stream at the wastewater treatment works in 1998. As part of the EIS, a water
quality modelling exercise was carried out. In terms of water quality, the EIS concluded that
“the impact on proposed waters can be described as imperceptible” and that “given the
characteristics of the treated water and the dilution capacity of the river, there will be no
significant impact on the aquatic flora and fauna”. It can be concluded that if the water
quality is not affected by the plan, then the key species and habitats will not be affected.
It is noted that analysis of the secondary discharge points (emergency overflows from
pumping stations) and storm overflows are not specifically addressed in this EIS; however
all of these types of discharges are upstream of the primary discharge point which was the
subject of the EIS, and are therefore included in the background or baseline water quality
data.
It is acknowledged that this study was carried out ten years ago and that development has
taken place in the catchment in the meantime. However, while the actual PE of the
agglomeration has increased, the modelling was carried out for the future scenario. Also,
substantial surface water separation works have been carried out in the intervening period,
thereby reducing the volume of effluent in the combined collection network, hence reducing
the volume and frequency of combined storm overflow and volume to be treated at the
wastewater treatment plant.
The figures below are from the EPA website and represent the latest water quality data
available. The nearest station on the River Moy has a Q value of 4 representing
unpolluted waters. It is noted that this station is just upstream of the discharges, apart from
SWl 0. The EPA Estuarine and Coastal data shows the Moy Estuary to be “unpolluted” as
represented by the blue shading below. The status of both of these water bodies remains
unchanged over the past number of decades. As noted in the description of the works, the
discharges have been taking place since at least the early 1980’s.
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Ballina Waste Water Discharae Licence Auulication Auurouriate Assessment
Figures 1 & 2 Extracts from EPA Mapviewer for River and Estuarine Water Quality Data. The Blue
shading represents “Unpolluted” status
7 November 2008
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Ballina Waste Water Discharae Licence Amlication ADDroDriate Assessment
More detailed testing results for the relevant stretch of the River Moy and Moy Estuary have
also been obtained from the EPA. The! relevant sampling points are located as follows;
I EPA Location I Location
River Moy \ I
1100 I River Moy
River Moy
Moy Estuary
1 Moy Estuary
Moy Estuary
Location relative to ,Discharge Points I r 1
/ I - Upstream of Ballina agglomeration and all discharge
points. Closest discharge point is 1400m downstream of
sampling point.
200m downstream of S W 1 2 and upstream of all other
discharge points
400m downstream of 1 100, and downstream of all
discharge points apart from SWl, SW2, S W 1 1
900m downstream of 1200 and downstream of all
discharge points apart from S W 1
-
-
540m downstream of 10, at SWl , the primary discharge point (WWTP treated effluent outfall)
440m downstream of 15 and downstream of all discharge
points
T ble 1: EPA Sampling Points
All of the discharge point referred to are shown on Drawing 31 in Appendix 1.
A summary of the average measurements for these sampling points from 2005 to 2008 for the
River Moy and for 2007 to 2008 for the Moy Estuary for the measured parameters is given
below;
Table 2: Average Results of EPA Testing on River Moy and Moy Estuary in vicinity of Ballina Agglomeration
8 November 2008
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Ballina Waste Water Discharae Licence Aadication ARRrORriate Assessment
The above results are presented graphically from upstream to downstream sampling points on
the graphs below;
1 BOD +Ammonia +Ortho Phosphate +Total Oxidised Nitrogen
Chart 1 Average Testing Results for Sampling Points in vicinity of Ballina Agglomeration
BOD, Ammonia, Ortho-Phosphate, Total Oxidised Nitrogen
99.00 98.50
v) 98.00 97.50
E 97.00 Q E 96.50 r~ 96.00
95.50 95.00
+ Dissolved Oxygen
Chart 2 Average Testing Results for Sampling Points in vicinity of Ballina Agglomeration
Dissolved Oxygen
The location of the sampling points range from 1400m upstream of all discharge points (EPA Location Code 1000) to 420m downstream of all discharge points (EPA Location Code 20) and at regular intervals between these points. The graphs above illustrate that there is very
little change in the water quality parameters upstream and downstream of the agglomeration.
It is noted that there is a small spike at sampling point 20 which corresponds to the primary
discharge point location. This is to be expected in the immediate vicinity of the discharge
point. However, by sampling point 20, the water quality parameters have returned to similar
values to the parameters recorded at sampling points upstream of point 15. While there is a
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Ballina Waste Water Discharae Licence Adication Amrowiate Assessment
small increase in the average BOO levels recorded upstream and downstream of the
discharge points, in the order of 0.26rng/l, it should be noted that there is actually an increase
in Dissolved Oxygen levels over the same stretch of water, Ortho-phosphate levels remain the
same and Total Oxidised Nitrogen levels decrease.
As noted in the screening process, the River Moy is a Salmonid water as per SI 293 of 1988.
All parameters for which testing has been carried out, namely pH, suspended solids, BOD and
total zinc are in compliance with the water quality standards for salmonid waters.
Ongoing testing is also carried out as Ross Strand and Enniscrone Beach, both designated
bathing water downstream of all of the discharges. These designated bathing waters are
meeting the standards set down in the Bathing Water Directive continuously. Both have Blue
Flag status. Details of the testing results for these bathing waters were contained in the Waste
Water Discharge Licence Application and are also included in Appendix 2 of this report.
It is concluded from all of the above evidence that the impact of the discharges on the water
quality is imperceptible, and that there is therefore no significant impact on the key habitats
and species for which the site has been selected.
Attachment F of the Waste Water Discharge Licence Application is included in Appendix 2 as
it contains information of the receiving environment and impact of the discharges.
. The integrity of the site is unlikely to be affected by the plan considering the conclusion above
that neither the Annex I habitats or the Annex II species are likely to be impacted by the plan.
The discharges will not impact on the potential future conservation objectives of the site, in
particular the objective to maintain favourable conservation status in regards to the Annex I and Annex II habitats and species.
Description of how the integrity of the site is likely to be affected by the plan
n . Description of Mitigation Measuues to avoid, reduce or remedy adverse effects on the
integrity of the site
As stated above, the integrity of the site is unlikely to be affected by the plan. The mitigation
measures that are already included in the plan to ensure this are as follows;
Provision of physical, biological and chemical treatment at the primary discharge
point including nutrient reduction
Availability of adequate capacity at the wastewater treatment works ensuring all
effluent from the treatment plant is fully treated to comply with Urban
Wastewater Regulations prior to discharge from plant
sophisticated SCADA system in the event of pump failure
Reduction of volumes and frequency of overflow of the combined storm overflows
as a result of substantial surface water separation works recently undertaken as
part of the main drainage scheme
Provision of screens at the most significant combined storm overflows (to be
completed by 2009)
0
Provision of standby pumps at the pumping stations and text alarms via a
0
0
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Ballina Waste Water Discharae Licence Amlication ADwrowiate Assessment
0 Provision of diffused outfall pipeline at primary discharge point to aid dispersion
and assimilation
Removal of existing septic tank serving Crocketstown area (> 1,000PE) which
historically has overflowed regularly to the River Moy
0
The above mitigation measures have all been undertaken as part of the Ballina Main
Drainage Scheme, Stage 2 which will be completed by the end of 2008 with the exception of
the combined storm overflow screens.
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
APPENDIX 1
LOCATION OF DISCHARGE POINTS
F. 1/12
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0 0 0 4
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
APPENDIX 2 EXTRACT FROM ATTACHMENT F OF DISCHARGE LICENCE APPLICATION
F. 1/13
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
n F.1. Assessment of Impact on Receiving Surface or Ground Water
n
0 Give summary details and an assessment of the impacts of any
existing or proposed emissions on the environment, including
environmental media other than those into which the emissions are to
be made.
The existing water environment is discussed in detail in Chapter Three
of the attached EIS. This EIS was prepared for the extension of the
wastewater treatment plant to provide an industrial effluent treatment
stream on site. The design values used in modelling exercises etc are
for the industrial effluent stream, with the municipal treatment stream
being included by reference to the background river data in the
vicinity. Section 3.4 discusses the existing aquatic environment and
Appendix no. 6 of the EIS contains a report prepared by Aquafact
International Services Ltd which is also relevant to this portion of the
application.
Tables F. 1 (i)(a) & (6) should be completed for the primary discharge
point. Surface water monitoring locations upstream and downstream
of the discharge point shall be screened for those substances listed in
Tables F.I(i)(a) & (b). Monitoring of surface water shall be carried out
at not less than two points, one upstream from the discharge location
and one downstream.
Resu Its pending .
0 For discharges from secondary discharge points Tables F. 1 (ii)(a) & (6)
should be completed. Furthermore, provide summary details and an
assessment of the impacts of any existing or proposed emissions on
the surface water or ground (aquifers, soils, sub-soils and rock
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
environment), including any impact on environmental media other
than those into which the emissions are to be made.
Resu Its pending .
Provide details of the extent and type of ground emissions at the
works. For larger discharges to groundwaters, e.g., from Integrated
Constructed Wetlands, large scale percolation areas, etc., a
comprehensive report must be completed which should include, inter
alia, topography, meteorological data, water quality, geology,
hydrology, and hydrogeology. The latter must in particular present
the aquifer classification and vulnerability. The Geological Survey of
Ireland Groundwater Protection Scheme Dept of the Environment and
Local Government, Geological Survey of Ireland, EPA (1 999)
methodology should be used for any such classification. This report
should also identify all surface water bodies and water wells that may
be at risk as a result of the ground discharge.
Not applicable
0 Describe the existing environment in terms of water quality with
particular reference to environmental quality standards or other
legislative standards. Give details of any designation under any Council
Directive or Regulations that apply in relation to the receiving water.
The existing water environment is discussed in detail in Chapter Three
of the attached EIS. This EIS was prepared for the extension of the
wastewater treatment plant to provide an industrial effluent treatment
stream on site. The design values used in modelling exercises etc are
for the industrial effluent stream, with the municipal treatment stream
being included by reference to the background river data in the
vicinity. Section 3.4 discusses the exist aquatic environment and
F. 1/15
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
Appendix no. 6 of the EIS contains a report prepared by Aquafact
International Services Ltd which is also relevant to this portion of the
application.
The receiving water is a designated Special Area of Conservation,
known as the River M0.y Site Code 002298 and further downstream
Killala Bay/Moy Estuary Site Code 000458. The site synopsis sheets
are included at the end of this attachment. Contact has been made
with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) regarding this
application. See attached correspondence. The NPWS has indicated
that it will not be in a position to comment on this application by the
deadline of 14 December 2007. It is intended that a copy of the
relevant sections of this application form will be copied to the NPWS on
completion and any further comment that they may have will be
forwarded to the EPA as an addendum to this application form as soon
as possible.
0 Provide a statement as to whether or not emissions of main polluting
substances (as defined in the Dangerous Substances Regulations S. I. No. 12 of 2001) to water are likely to impair the environment.
No dangerous substances likely to be present in discharges.
0 In circumstances where water abstraction points exist downstream of
any discharge describe measures to be undertaken to ensure that
discharges from the waste water works will not have a significant effect
on faecal coliform, salmonella and protozoan pathogen numbers, e.g.,
Cryptosporidium and Giardia, in the receiving water environment.
No water abstraction points downstream of discharges.
F.1/16
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
0 Indicate whether or not emissions from the agglomeration or any plant,
methods, processes, operating procedures or other factors which affect
such emissions are likely to have a significant effect on -
a site (until the adoption, in respect of the site, of a decision by
the European Commission under Article 21 of Council Directive
92/43/EEC for the purposes of the third paragraph of Article
4(2) of that Direciive) -
(0
(ii)
(iii)
notified for the purposes of Regulation 4 of the Natural
Habitats Regulations, subject to any amendments made
to it by virtue of Regulation 5 of those Regulations,
details of which have been transmitted to the Commission
in accordance with Regulation 5(4) of the Natural Habitats
Regulations6, or
added by virtue of Regulation 6 of the Natural Habitats
Regulations to the list transmitted to the Commission in
accordance with Regulation 5(4) of those Regulations,
a site adopted by the European Commission as a site of
Community impoi-tance for the purposes of Article 4(2) of
Council Directive SJ2/43/EEC1 in accordance with the procedures
laid down in Article 21 of that Directive,
a special area of conservation within the meaning of the Natural
Habitats Regulations, or
an area classified pursuant to Article 4(1) or 4(2) of Council
Directive 79/409/€EC2;
F. 1/17
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w Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
n
‘Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of
natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ No. L 206,
22.07.1992)
2Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of
wild birds (OJ No. L 103, 25.4.1979)
The receiving waters to which all the discharges take place is a Special
Area of Conservation as described above and a designated salmonid
water.
The EIS concluded that “the impact of the proposed development on
waters can therefore be described as imperceptible”. And “The
predictions of the mathematical models relating to the dissipation of
effluent parameters along the estuary would indicate that the proposed
project would have no irnpact on the Blue flag beach at Enniscrone or
on licensed shell fishing areas in Killala Bay”. It is noted that analysis
of the secondary discharge points (emergency overflows from pumping
stations) and storm overflows was not specifically addressed in the
EIS. However, it is noted that both of these types of discharge are all
upstream of the discharge being assessed in the EIS and hence are
included in the background water quality data.
Describe, where appropriate, measures for minimising pollution over
long distances or in the territory of other states.
Biological and chemical treatment is provided at the wastewater
treatment works, to reduce the number of faecal coliform, salmonella
and protozoan pathogen numbers in the effluent. No treatment is
carried out at the storrri overflow points or the secondary discharge
points (pumping station emergency overflows), but the volume of flow
in the River Moy is such that adequate dilution is available for the
intermittent discharges. The inclusion of phosphorous and nitrogen
F.l/18
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
n
n
removal will mitigate ariy adverse impact which the discharge of an
additional volume of treated effluent might have on the ecology of the
estuary .
Information from 18 no. tests carried out in the Ross Strand bathing
water quality station, which is downstream of all discharge points was
obtained from the EPA, see Table F1 below. These tests show that the
total number of coliforrns per 100ml was less than ten on seven
occasions and the total number of coliforms only exceeded 100 on three
occasions. This beach also enjoys blue flag status which is an indication
that the water quality is; very good. This beach is downstream of all
discharge points being discussed in the application.
This section should also contain full details of any modelling of
discharges from the agglomeration.
See attached EIS.
e Measures to be undertaken to ensure discharges from the waste water
works will not have a significant effect on faecal coliform, salmonella
and protozoan pathogen numbers, e.g., Cryptosporidium and Giardia,
in the receiving water environment. Particular focus exist downstream
of the waste water discharge points.
Biological and chemical treatment is provided at the wastewater
treatment works, to reduce the number of faecal coliform, salmonella
and protozoan pathogen numbers in the effluent. No treatment is
carried out at the storm overflow points or the secondary discharge
points (pumping station emergency overflows), but the volume of flow
in the River Moy is such that adequate dilution is available for the
intermittent discharges. The inclusion of phosphorous and nitrogen
removal will mitigate any adverse impact which the discharge of an
F. 1/19
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
n
additional volume of treated effluent might have on the ecology of the
estuary.
Information from 18 no. tests carried out in the Ross Strand bathing
water quality station, which is downstream of all discharge points was
obtained from the EPA, see Table F l below. These tests show that the
total number of coliforms per lOOml was less than ten on seven
occasions and the total number of coliforms only exceeded 100 on three
occassions. This beach also enjoys blue flag status which is an indication
that the water quality i!; very good. This beach is downstream of all
discharge points being discussed in the application.
0 The presence of any areas designated for the protection of economically
significant aquatic species (fish, shellfish).
None.
0 The presence of any areas designated as recreational and bathing
waters.
Two such areas are present in the Moy estuary. The closest blue flag
beach is 9 km north of ,the outfall point and is located at Enniscrone.
There is a second blue flag beach at the western side of the estuary at
Ross Strand.
0 The presence of any areas designated as nutrient sensitive areas.
There are no designated nutrient sensitive areas downstream of the
discharge points. However, nitrogen and phosphorous reduction of the
effluent takes place before discharge to the River Moy.
F. 1/20
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B
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Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
0 The presence of any biological species sensitive to any substance in
the emission.
No known species.
0 Sensitive areas of special interest within 2 kilometers of the emission
point which could be affected by the emission.
Discharges are directly to the River Moy SAC and Killala Bay/Moy
Estuary as described above.
F. 1/21
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.. . .. . . . . . . . . .
Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application ' I
0 Flow Data - upstream of discharge points
Summary Statistics Data 0 Daily Mean Flow Data Daily Mean Level Data Annual Maxima Data
Mean Annual Flow (m3/s): 55.37
(Data derived for the period 1969 to 2004.)
Note 1 : Data extracted from the Environmental Protection Agency publication 'Hydrological Data', July
1997
r excee
(Data derived for the period 1969 to 2004)
Dry weather flow, as quoted by the EPA is 3m3/s.
F. 1/22
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P
n
Ballina Waste Water Discharge Application
0
Since the installation of the new outfall point which extends 40m from the
river bank streaming has been prevented down the western side of the
river. Mixing of the effluent with the river water is much more efficient now.
Models of this have been prepared and can be found in Appendix no. 5 of
the EIS.
Mixing Zone or transitional areas of exceedance.
See Section 3 of EIS.
Levels of dilution available within the receiving waterbody.
0 Receiving water and sediment quality, physical, chemical and biological.
See Section 3 of EIS.
Existing or proposed uses and/or designations of receiving waters and
compliance with any applications standards (e.g. salmonoid standards,
bathing water standards, standards specified in Water Quality
(Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2001.
The receiving water is classified as a salmonoid river.
0 Nature of final emission to receiving waters, along with the estimated
volumetric contribution by the site emissions to the Dry Weather Flow to
the receiving waters, expressed as a percentage [YoDWF].
Dry weather flow as quoted by the EPA at the Rahans station as being
10,800m3/hour. The average volume discharge from the treatment works is
125m3/hour. This equates to 1.15 O/O of the DWF of the River Moy.
F. 1/23
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