DRAWING NO. 06: For inspection purposes only. WWTP LAYOUT ...

ATTACHMENT NO: B.4.(i)

DRAWING NO. 06: WWTP LAYOUT PLAN

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SW001

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DESCRIPTIONDATE CDREV A

NOTES

DRAWN

CAD REFERENCE

SCALES

DATE

TITLE

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CLIENT

DRAWING No.SECTION

BLESSINGTON

WASTEWATER

DISCHARGE LICENSE APPLICATION

WWTP LAYOUT PLAN

1:1,000

D. Smithers

13.11.2020

B.4 -

DISCHARGE LICENSE

B.4 20647-DL-06

06

SIGNED :

PRINT NAME :

POSITION :

DATE :

FOR IRISH WATER

Colvill House,24-26 Talbot Street,Dublin 1.Tel. 1890 278 278 Web. www.water.ie

IRISH WATER

PRIMARY DISCHARGE POINT

SW001

WWTP BOUNDARY LINE

OUTFALL LINE

BLESSINGTON WASTEWATER

TREATMENT PLANT

LEGEND

Includes Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under O.S.i.

licence number 3-3-34. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Ordnance

Survey Ireland and the Government of Ireland copyright.N

OUTFALL PIPELINE PLAN

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WASTEWATER TREATMENT SITE LAYOUT PLAN

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TREATMENT PLANT

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06PRIMARY TREATMENT LIFT SUMP

07 AIR BLOWERS

08CHEMICAL DOSING

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10PRIMARY SCUM SUMP

11 FLOW SPLIT CHAMBER

12 ODOUR UNIT

13 ANOXIC TANK

14 ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

15 FILTRATE / SCUM P.S.

16 W.A.S. R.A.S. P.S.

17 CLARIFIER No.1

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19TERTIARY TREATMENT

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ATTACHMENT NO: B.4.(ii)

DRAWING NO. 07: WwTP PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM

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INLET SCREENS INLET WORKS

STORM TANK

STORM LAGOON

PRIMARY

TREATMENT

LIFT SUMP

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SETTLEMENT

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CLARIFIER No.1

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TERTIARY

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TREATMENT UNITS

FILTRATE

/ SCUM

PUMP

STATION

PICKET FENCE

THICKENER

SLUDGE

BUILDING

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EFFLUENT P.S.


NOTES

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DRAWING No.SECTION

BLESSINGTON

WASTEWATER


WWTP

PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM

NTS

D. Smithers

13.11.2020

B.4 -

DISCHARGE LICENSE

B.4 20647-DL-07

07

SIGNED :

PRINT NAME :

POSITION :

DATE :

FOR IRISH WATER


IRISH WATER



Survey Ireland and the Government of Ireland copyright.

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AN BORD PLEANALA INSPECTORS REPORT

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ABP-302721-18 Inspector’s Report Page 1 of 18

Inspector’s Report ABP-302732-18.

Development

Upgrade to Blessington Wastewater

Treatment Plan.

Location Burgage More, Blessington, County

Wicklow.

Planning Authority Wicklow County Council.

Planning Authority Reg. Ref. 18/255.

Applicant Irish Water.

Type of Application Permission.

Planning Authority Decision Grant with conditions

Type of Appeal Third Party against grant

Appellants Ballymore Eustace T&S Anglers Ass.

Observers Clane Trout & Salmon Anglers Assoc.

North Kildare Anglers Assoc.

Ballymore Eustace CDA

Windlynn Ltd

Date of Site Inspection

14th January 2019.

Inspector Philip Davis.

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Contents

1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3

2.0 Site Location and Description .............................................................................. 3

3.0 Proposed Development ....................................................................................... 4

4.0 Planning Authority Decision ................................................................................. 4

4.1. Decision ........................................................................................................ 4

4.2. Planning Authority Reports ........................................................................... 4

4.3. Prescribed Bodies ......................................................................................... 5

4.4. Third Party Observations .............................................................................. 5

5.0 Policy Context ...................................................................................................... 6

5.1. Development Plan ......................................................................................... 6

5.2. Natural Heritage Designations ...................................................................... 6

6.0 The Appeal .......................................................................................................... 7

6.1. Grounds of Appeal ........................................................................................ 7

6.2. Applicant Response ...................................................................................... 7

6.3. Planning Authority Response ........................................................................ 8

6.4. Observations ................................................................................................. 9

6.5. Further Responses ...................................................................................... 10

7.0 Assessment ....................................................................................................... 11

8.0 Recommendation ............................................................................................... 17

9.0 Reasons and Considerations ............................................................................. 17

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1.0 Introduction

This appeal is against the decision of the planning authority to grant permission

subject to conditions for alterations to the existing wastewater treatment plant

serving the town of Blessington in Wicklow. The grounds of appeal relate mostly to

pollution issues in the upper Liffey river.

2.0 Site Location and Description

2.1. Burgage More

Burgage More townland is located in a shallow valley approximately 1km south-

south-west of the centre of the town of Blessington in west Wicklow, close to the

border with Kildare. The townland is characterised by farmland and a scattering of

suburban and commercial developments extending south along the N81 as it enters

Blessington. A country road, Kilmalum Road, runs west and parallel to the N81. A

minor watercourse runs south between these two roads. This watercourse forms

the boundary between Kildare County Council and Wicklow County Council and

drains into the Poulaphouca Reservoir.

2.2. Appeal site

The appeal site is an Irish Water wastewater treatment facility located in farmland

within the townland, linked to the N81 via a private road. It has no link to the

KiIlmalum Road to the west. The site is rectangular and has an area given as 3

hectares in the application documentation, with a number of buildings totalling 266

square metres. The site is mostly occupied with a series of tanks, filters and other

plant associated with wastewater treatment. It is surrounded by a palisade fence

and is entirely surrounded by farmland, apparently used for sheep grazing. A

number of houses on Kilmalum Road are within approximately 200 metres of the

facility, with a housing estate directly north some 150 metres to the north. The site

is connected via an underground pipe to a discharge point some 5.5 km to the south

into the Liffey in a ravine between the Poulaphouca dam and the Golden Falls

Lake/reservoir. The latter is part of the original hydroelectric scheme and is not

used for the storage of drinking water. The western boundary of the site runs next

to the stream forming the Kildare/Wicklow boundary.

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3.0 Proposed Development

The proposed development is described on the site notice as the construction of two

new primary treatment tanks, one new anoxic tank, associated pump sumps, tertiary

treatment infrastructure and all associated site works. It is stated that it will increase

capacity from 6,000 PE (persons equivalent) to ‘up to’ 9,000 PE.

4.0 Planning Authority Decision

4.1. Decision

The planning authority decided to grant permission subject to 3 no. conditions.

Condition 2 related to odour controls, condition 3 to construction details.

4.2. Planning Authority Reports

4.2.1. Planning Reports

• Notes that the use is established and on lands zoned Community, Education

and Institutional in the Blessington LAP 2013-2019.

• It is noted that there is a road reservation for the N81 very close to the site,

but it is considered that it does not interfere with it. No objection from Roads

Office.

• Notes submission from Kildare County Council requesting additional

information on the assimilative capacity of the Liffey.

• Notes Inland Fisheries Ireland does not agree with the submitted

calculations for ammonia discharges.

• Notes proximity of Poulaphouca Reservoir SPA.

• Confirms that upgrade is required because of non-compliance with emission

standards (the discharge license at Golden Falls Reservoir), not with future

growth needs of the town.

• Further information was requested with regard to discharges to the Liffey.

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• Following the submission of additional information the planners report noted

comments by the Environment Section and that the golden Falls lake currently

meets quality standards. It is considered that the discharges will meet the

emission Limit values (ELV’s) of the Discharge license. It is not considered

reasonable to refuse on the basis of previous problems, and notes that the

responsibility for monitoring the discharge lies with the EPA.

Recommendation to grant permission.

4.2.2. Other Technical Reports

Executive Scientist (Environment Section). Notes a number of concerns and

historic algal blooms in Golden Falls Lake. Notes that the proposed discharge would

increase loadings of ammonia and orthophosphate to Golden Falls and the Liffey,

because while the discharge concentration remains the same, the volume of

discharge could increase by 3000PE. It is considered that there is sufficient

assimilative capacity for this.

Roads: No objection.

Roads Office Design/TII – notes N81 Tallaght to Hollywood realignment proposal

but states no impact likely.

Kildare County Council: Notes concern on impact of discharges on the Liffey.

4.3. Prescribed Bodies

Inland Fisheries Ireland: Concerns expressed at some of the figures in the

submission. And notes requirements under Water Framework Directive and known

issues with algal growth in the Golden Falls lake.

4.4. Third Party Observations

Ballymore Eustace Anglers Association submitted detailed objections to both the

original application and the revised details.

4.4.1. Planning History

None on file, the planners report refers to a Part 8 passed for an extension in 2006

bringing capacity to 6000 PE (06/5001). Prior to that another Part 8 for upgrading

was approved in 1999 (99/1331).

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5.0 Policy Context

5.1. Development Plan

The site is on land zoned ‘Community, Education and Institutional’ in the

Blessington LAP 2013-2019 (Map 1) and is in existing use as a wastewater

treatment facility. Policy objective S2 ‘To improve and expand wastewater treatment

facilities sufficiently to ensure that no barriers exist in Blessington fulfilling its role as

a moderate growth town as set out in the Wicklow ‘Core Strategy’ and Regional

Planning Guidelines for the GDA 2010-2022’.

Blessington is indicated as a Level 4 ‘Moderate Growth Town’ in the Wicklow County Development Plan 2012-2022 (chapter 3). It is policy to facilitate the

delivery of Irish Waters ‘Water Services Investment Programme’ (policy W16 of the

CDP).

5.2. Natural Heritage Designations

The site is within 1 km of the Poulaphouca Lakes SPA and within 10 km of the SAC

and SPA covering much of the Wicklow Mountains. The proposed works discharge

treated effluent to the short stretch of the Liffey between Poulaphouca and the

Golden Falls Lake (a small reservoir), which discharges ultimately to SAC’s and

SPA’s in Dublin Bay.

5.3. EIA

The applicants submitted an EIA Screening Report with the original application

which concluded that EIA was not required. It is noted that in Part 1 of Schedule 5

of the 2001 Regulations mandatory EIA is required for waste water treatment plans

with a capacity exceeding 150000 population. Under Part 2 (11), the threshold is

defined as wastewater treatment plants greater than 10,000 population (PE). As the

proposed expansion is for 9,000 pe (persons equivalent) it is considered that it is

sub-threshold. It is then submitted that there are no characteristics or cumulative

impacts that would lead to significant effects on the environment.

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6.0 The Appeal

6.1. Grounds of Appeal

Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers Association

• It is argued that Golden Falls Lake is unsuitable for discharge from

Blessington WWTP.

• There is insufficient and inaccurate information in the submission with regard

to the potential impacts on the Lake.

• In this regard the submission highlights a number of issues including that the

discharge is to the Lake, not the river (as stated in the documents). It is also

noted that in Appendix 3 of the further information it is stated that there is no

water flow into the Lake from Poulaphouca Lake at recorded times in 2017. It

is further noted that the EPA did not respond to a request for information from

the County Council. It is also highlighted that little regard was given to

cumulative impacts from other Irish Water discharges, notably those from the

drinking water treatment adjoining the lake. Photos are attached with regard

to discharges from the Ballymore Eustace water treatment works. It is further

argued that the proposed works do not address the future growth of

Blessington Village.

6.2. Applicant Response

• Irish Water submitted a response incorporating copious data on water quality

and flow rates. The key arguments in response to the appeals are as follows:

• It is submitted that even on the minimum flow conditions the concentrations of

Ammonia in the receiving water would be considerably below the 0.14 mg/L

limit for ‘good’ status waters as outlined in the Environmental Objectives

(Surface Water) Regulations and below the 0.17 value quoted in the appeal.

It is submitted that regardless of the flow from the Poulaphouca Reservoir into

Golden Falls, there is a constant discharge of 1.5 cubic metres per second

from the Gold Falls reservoir.

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• With regard to the submission that the discharge is to a lake, it is stated that

the EPA confirms that the receiving water ‘is currently defined as river water

body channel and falls between Pollaphuca and Golden Falls’.

• With regard to the above, it is stated that there would be no breach of the

waterbodies ‘Good’ status.

• With regard to the argument that discharges from the Ballymore Eustace

water treatment works were not included in the net emissions to the water

system, it is argued that as this is a drinking water treatment plant, not a

wastewater plant, and is not subject to EPA discharge license conditions, it

was appropriate not to include it in the original submission. It is also stated

that the pollution incident referred to by the appellant was a one-off isolated

incident in 2013.

• With regard to the argument that there is insufficient flow to the site, it is

argued that even the projected impacts are based on the minimum 1.5 cubic

metre per second flow – refers to Part 6 of the Schedule to the Liffey

Reservoir Act 1936, which sets a minimum flow. Figures are provided in the

Appendix to this submission for the very low flow conditions during the

summer 2018 drought.

• It is noted that there are additional streams entering the waterbody (Golden

Falls) which were not included in the submission, but these add further

dilution.

• It is submitted that all figures are based on worst case analyses, and these all

indicate there is sufficient assimilative capacity for the proposed discharges.

Significant quantities of technical data are attached to the submission in support of

the argument that there is sufficient assimilative capacity within the Liffey for the

proposed discharge.

6.3. Planning Authority Response

No response to the grounds of appeal.

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6.4. Observations

Windlynn Limited

• Applicants for a SHD in Blessington for 340 units – in pre-planning with ABP

they state that they were informed that the proposed development could not

be considered favourably in the absence of consent for the upgrade of the

waste water treatment facility (this pre-planning did not proceed to planning

application stage and as such the information is not on the public file).

• It is argued that the facility is essential for the provision of additional housing

in the Greater Dublin Area.

• Supports the proposed development for the above reasons.

Ballymore Eustace Community Development Association

• Supports the appeal of the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers

Association.

• Argues that the original application was flawed as locals were not aware of

the application (hence no submission during the application).

• Refers to a report on the Leixlip Treatment Plant dated April 2005 and data on

water quantities permitted through Poulaphouca. It is argued in the light of

the data that the applicant is failing to take account of the cumulative effects

of various Water Services discharges to the Liffey. It is argued that the

application should assess the cumulative impact of all Irish Water discharges

from the upper Liffey to Dublin Bay.

• It is argued with regard to the proposed increase to 9,000pe that the

cumulative impacts on the amenities of the Golden Falls Reservoir and the

Liffey should be fully assessed.

• It is noted that the Water Quality Management Plan for the Liffey Catchment

indicates that there have been breaches of total Phosphate levels and faecal

Coliforms. It is stated that trout caught in the reservoir are used for human

consumption.

• It is argued that the Golden Falls is a very significant amenity for the area.

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• It is argued that the planning authority failed to take account of potential

alternative options for the proposed works. In this regard, it is submitted that

the possibility of connecting to the main Dublin treatment system at Leixlip

has not been assessed.

North Kildare Trout & Salmon Anglers Association

• Supports the objection by the Ballymore Eustace Anglers Association.

• Refers to the Irish Water Report ‘River Liffey at Ballymore Eustace: An

Investigative Assessment which indicates that there is an ongoing pollution

problem associated with water treatment plant chemicals in the Liffey.

• The submission by Inland Fisheries Ireland is noted with regard to the status

of the river for trout and salmon.

Clane Trout and Salmon Anglers Association

• Supports the objection by the Ballymore Eustace Anglers Association.

• Notes issue of ongoing pollution from Irish Water facility at Ballymore

Eustace.

• Notes letter from Inland Fisheries Ireland to the planning authority

concerning the water status of the Liffey with regard to salmon and trout

breeding and production.

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

• Notes proximity to the Poulaphouca Reservoir SPA and pNHA. The

Department accepts the findings of the AA Screening Report.

6.5. Further Responses

None on file.

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7.0 Assessment

Having inspected the site and reviewed the file documents, I consider the

application can be addressed under the following general headings:

• Principle of development

• Road issues

• Traffic

• Visual impact

• Traffic

• Appropriate Assessment

• Other issues

7.1. Principle of development

Overview of the proposed development

The proposed development involves works within the existing boundary of a long

established wastewater treatment plant for the town of Blessington. There are

records of two previous upgrades, both approved under Part 8 - in 1999, and the

more recent one in 2006. The current capacity is 6,000 pe, which is apparently now

exceeded (it is described by Wicklow Council as ‘biologically overloaded’ and it is

not meeting required Ammonia levels), with the proposed capacity of ‘up to’ 9,000

pe. The plant treats the towns effluent to a tertiary stage, with the wastewater

pumped due south to the Liffey. It is submitted that the plant is required as the town

of Blessington is now at capacity with the plant overloaded – it is implied in the

submission documents and the planners report that the primary purpose of the

works is to meet licensing requirements for emissions, with the extra capacity to

allow for future population growth a secondary consideration. The discharge point

for the treated effluent is in a gorge between the Poulaphouca dam and the lower

secondary reservoir, at Golden Falls. The discharge is to a fast flowing river

(essentially the overflow from the Poulaphouca dam), but is a short distance from

the Golden Falls reservoir. The discharge point is close to the Ballymore Eustace

treatment centre where most of the drinking water for Dublin is treated and is 5.5 km

from the Blessington plant. It is stated in the application documents that the

proposed works will lead to an increase in treated effluent volumes at the discharge,

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but that capacity calculations have indicated that the receiving water has sufficient

assimilative capacity to maintain ‘Good’ status. There have been previous appeals

relating to the Ballymore Eustace plant with arguments submitted relating to the

discharge of waste from the water treatment process (the most recent one is

PL09.246476 – the Board upheld the decision of the planning authority to grant

permission for an upgrade to the treatment works). The EPA has not commented

on the application or appeal.

I note that the treatment plant is in open countryside, albeit quite close to a number

of dwellings and one housing estate and is on lands zoned with a designation

consistent with such infrastructure. The plant is some distant from both nearest

roads and is not particularly visible from public areas. I note that there are no

objections or comments on file with regard to complaints about odour or other

related issues from local residents.

Key issues with regard to the objections

The key issue in this appeal, raised by all the appellants and the submissions with

the original application, relate to the discharge of treated effluent to the Liffey River,

and hence to the Golden Falls reservoir. The proposed development is subject to a

discharge license from the EPA and as such the issues of the type and quantity of

discharge is within the competence of the licensing regime of the EPA, not the

planning system. Notwithstanding this, there are a number of planning issues raised

by the discharge at this point of the Liffey, most notably I consider to be the

suitability of the location for discharging an increased quantity of treated wastewater

into the Liffey catchment upstream of the reservoir.

Blessington town capacity issues

The Blessington Local Area Plan 2013-2019 designates the town as a ‘Moderate

Growth Town’ with a projected 2022 population target of 7,500 people. It is part of

the core strategy (Table 1.2 of the LAP) that the area is served with sufficient

wastewater treatment capacity to cater for the projected population growth. It is

indicated that the existing plant (6,000 pe) is insufficient and is already at capacity. I

note in this regard that there is a significant part of the Blessington population

catchment in County Kildare and it appears there has not always been a consistent

approach in planning between the two counties.

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The population (Table 2.2 of the LAP) is given as 6,000 in 2016, and projected to be

6,750 by 2019 and 7,500 by 2022. It is indicated that the long term growth of the

village is considered to be around 4% per annum (Appendix A to the LAP). I note

however, that the Wicklow County Development Plan 2016-2022 states that there

is a target 7,500 population to 2028 (Chapter 3, section on Blessington). The

National Planning Framework (Appendix 2) gives the 2016 population as 5,520

permanent residents with 2400 resident workers. Significant areas of land have

been zoned for residential development within the envelope of the village (I note that

this is stated in the planners report to be additional to extant, but not yet built,

permissions). It has also been raised by the appellants that if these lands are

developed to the densities required in the most recent national guidance it the

population growth could be higher, subject to planning permission. It is not clear

from available information if the Blessington area as designated in the Plans is

effectively the catchment of the wastewater plant, or if it the plant also serves

housing or commercial units from a wider catchment, including in Kildare. I note in

this regard that the existing 6,000 pe treatment system seems to have become

biologically overloaded before the town has reached an official population of 6,000,

which may be because of differing catchments or because of additional pressure

from commercial developments in the town. If this is the case, then I would infer

that the proposed development may become overloaded in turn before the

population of the town officially reaches 9,000.

There are no indications on the file as to whether it is projected that the proposed

plant is required simply for growth within the immediate future (i.e. the lifetime of the

current Plan, or is to provide a longer term capacity. As it is clear that the plant is

already over capacity, it seems reasonable to conclude that an increase in scale to

9,000 pe will provide little more than capacity for the existing quantum of zoned land

if it is developed within the current plan period, so if growth continues at the current

rate a further expansion in the near future may well be required.

This raises the overall question of whether it is appropriate to facilitate incremental

increases to what appears to be a less than satisfactory arrangement for final

disposal of the effluent. While the location of the treatment plant is uncontroversial,

discharging to the Liffey directly upstream of a lake seems questionable in the light

of known issues with maintaining water quality in both the lake and the overall

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catchment. An obvious solution would be to direct the discharge to downstream of

Golden Falls dam where there would be greater assimilative capacity, although

there is no information on file to indicate if this would address all the known issues,

in particular due to problems known from apparent discharges from the other Irish

Water treatment plant at Ballymore Eustace.

The appellant also raised the issue of connecting to the greater Dublin scheme, but

there is no information available to state whether this is practical or appropriate.

I note with regard to the assimilative capacity of the Liffey between the two dams

that flow rates are subject to statutory levels set out in the original enabling act for

the ESB works at Poulaphouca. But it seems that this is difficult to achieve these

levels during times of water stress and may result in problems up to at least the

implementation of a future additional drinking water supply scheme for the region.

I also note the sensitivity of the local environment. The reservoir is a significant

local amenity, as is the Liffey. The Poulaphouca Reservoir is an SPA. The ravine

between the two does not however appear to be easily accessible to the public,

although it was once a well-known tourist attraction prior to the construction of the

two dams.

Conclusions

I have very strong concerns that the proposed development represents a short term

iterative response to an ongoing and serious issue, with local under-capacity in

wastewater treatment leading to the increased use of an outfall which seems

suboptimal in terms of modern requirements. It is a matter for the EPA to decide if

the discharge would meet statutory requirements, but having regard to the

cumulative impact of other developments in the area and the uncertainty over

whether the capacity is enough for more than short term needs for Blessington, I

would consider the approach of the applicants to be questionable. It is my opinion

that granting permission for this development is not addressing the need to satisfy

the broader policy objectives for Blessington as set out in the LAP and Development

Plan. I would note that a somewhat larger development would result in the

development being in excess of 10,000 pe, which would bring it within Schedule 2 of

the EIA regulations, and as part of this a full assessment of cumulative and indirect

impacts would be required, in addition to an assessment of alternatives.

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There are very significant areas of ambiguity in the stated aim of the proposed

works and how it fits in with projected future growth for Blessington in the context of

the National Planning Framework and CDP and LAP objectives. The proposed

works seem primarily intended to address existing overloading and to provide scope

for relatively short term future growth in the town. I would be concerned that this

represents an inappropriate approach to ongoing problems with what I would

consider to be a suboptimal solution to disposing of the effluent to allow for both the

protection of the water catchment and allow for reasonable projections of future

growth for Blessington.

If the proposed development was for a short term upgrade pending a full review, I

would consider it possibly justified, but in the absence of a clear technical case that

the ongoing use of the discharge to above the Golden Falls reservoir is the best

available solution, I would recommend a refusal of permission for the proposed

development. I conclude that there is sufficient uncertainty about the

appropriateness of the scale and design of the proposed development with regard to

the amenities of Golden Falls lake to refuse permission.

If the Board is minded to grant permission, I would recommend that it seeks

clarification from the applicant as to when it is anticipated a further upgrade would

be required having regard to proposed planned increases in population for the

Blessington catchment, and to address other possible alternatives for discharge

including to below the Golden Falls reservoir; connection with other systems in the

region; or other technical solutions such as the use of reedbeds for further treatment

of effluent prior to discharge.

7.2. Road issues

It is noted that the proposed upgrade to the N81 goes past the appeal site. The

planning authority are satisfied that the proposed works do not interfere with any

likely alignment.

7.3. Traffic

The construction works would raise local traffic levels on the N81 but the existing

site is wide with reasonably good sight lines so I do not consider that either

construction or operational traffic would result in congestion or a hazard.

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7.4. Visual impacts

The proposed development would increase the size and scale of the existing plant

generally within the envelope of the existing site. The site is largely screened from

views from the road to the west by vegetation, both along the road and around the

site. Hedges and walls block most views from the N81. There are no views of the

site from any particularly sensitive locations around the village or from protected

structures or other historic features.

7.5. Appropriate Assessment

The applicants submitted a screening assessment. It notes the proximity of the

processing site and outfall to the Poulaphouca SPA, site code 4063. It is also within

10km of Red Bog SAC (north of Blessington) and the Wicklow Mountains SAC and

SPA. But the only site very close or in hydraulic continuity is potentially

Poulaphouca, which at its closest is 400 metres from the plant. The stream running

along the western boundary of the site enters the SPA (Poulaphouca Reservoir)

directly after a few hundred metres. The effluent discharge is 850 metres south of

the SPA and the flows from the discharge point run away (west) from the designated

habitat area. The Screening does not address it, but I note that the Liffey ultimately

drains to a number of Natura 2000 designated sites in Dublin Bay.

The Screening concludes that neither the construction works nor operations will

impact on the conservation objectives of the qualifying interests – which in the case

of Poulaphouca Reservoir are two bird species, the greylag goose and the lesser black-backed gull. It states that neither species are sensitive to the types of work

proposed. It also states that the area around the site is not suitable for foraging

habitat for merlin or peregrine falcon, which are the qualifying interests for the

Wicklow Mountains SPA.

Notwithstanding my comments in the sections above about my concerns regarding

cumulative impacts on the Golden Falls Lake, I do not consider that this would have

an impact on the qualifying interests of the Poulaphouca or Wicklow Mountains

SPA’s or of any other Natura 2000 sites. I note the comments by Inland Fisheries Ireland on the presence of Annex II species (salmonids) in the Liffey, but I note that

these are not qualifying interests for any of the designated sites.

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I would therefore consider it reasonable to conclude on the basis of the information

on the file, which I consider adequate in order to carry out a Stage 2 Appropriate

Assessment, that the proposed development, individually or in combination with

other plans or projects would not adversely affect the integrity of the European site

No 4063, or any other European site, in view of the site’s Conservation Objectives.

7.6. Other issues

I do not consider that there are other issues raised in this appeal. The proposed

works are not subject to development contributions under the Section 48 adopted

Scheme.

8.0 Recommendation

I recommend that the proposed development is refused planning permission for the

following reasons and considerations.

9.0 Reasons and Considerations

Having regard to:

• Stated housing targets within the Blessington Local Area Plan 2013-2019 and

the Wicklow County Development Plan 2016-2022 and the quantum of lands

zoned within the town,

• Policy objective S2 of the Blessington LAP which states that it is policy to

improve and expand wastewater treatment facilities sufficiently to ensure that

no barriers exist in Blessington fulfilling its role as a moderate growth town as

set out in the Wicklow Core Strategy and Regional Planning Guidelines for the

GDA 2010-2022, and

• The amenity value and sensitivity to pollution of the Golden Falls Reservoir

and the location of the outfall for the Blessington wastewater treatment works

upstream of this waterbody,

the Board is not satisfied, having regard to future projections for growth in the

Blessington area, that the proposed increase in treated effluent to a section of river

upstream from the Golden Falls Reservoir would not, by way of cumulative impacts

with other developments in the area, result in an unacceptable pollution impact on a

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waterbody of significant amenity use. It is considered that a facility with a capacity of

‘up to’ 9,000 PE has not been demonstrated to be adequate for foreseeable future

growth of Blessington and the proposed development has not been demonstrated to

be the most environmentally appropriate approach to addressing the disposal of

treated effluent. It is considered that in the absence of a full assessment of future

needs for Blessington and appropriate alternative strategies for wastewater disposal,

the proposed development would be contrary to policy objective S2 of the

Blessington Local Area plan and may result in pollution to a watercourse. The

proposed development would therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and

sustainable development of the area.

Philip Davis

Planning Inspector 25th January 2019

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AN BORD PLEANALA BOARD ORDER

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______________________________________________________________

ABP-302732-18 An Bord Pleanála Page 1 of 5

Board Order ABP-302732-18

Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2018

Planning Authority: Wicklow County Council

Planning Register Reference Number: 18/255

Appeal by the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association

care of Thomas Deegan of Broadleas, Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare

against the decision made on the 25th day of September, 2018 by Wicklow

County Council to grant subject to conditions a permission to Irish Water of

Colvill House, 24-26 Talbot Street, Dublin in accordance with plans and

particulars lodged with the said Council:

Proposed Development: Upgrade of the Blessington Wastewater Treatment

Plant. The works will include the construction of two new primary treatment

units, one new anoxic tank, associated pump sumps, tertiary treatment

infrastructure and all associated site works at Burgage More, Blessington,

County Wicklow.

Decision GRANT permission for the above proposed development in accordance with the said plans and particulars based on the reasons and considerations under and subject to the conditions set out below.

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______________________________________________________________


Matters Considered In making its decision, the Board had regard to those matters to which, by

virtue of the Planning and Development Acts and Regulations made

thereunder, it was required to have regard. Such matters included any

submissions and observations received by it in accordance with statutory

provisions.

Reasons and Considerations

Having regard to the proposed upgrade of the Blessington Waste Water

Treatment Plant which is necessary to address current capacity constraints

and to improve compliance with discharge requirements, and to the relevant

policies and objectives of the Wicklow County Development Plan 2016-2022

and the Blessington Town Plan 2013-2019, which seek to improve and

expand waste water treatment facilities, it is considered that the proposed

development, subject to compliance with the conditions set out below, would

not seriously injure the amenity of the area or of property in the area and

would not be prejudicial to public health. The proposed development would,

therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable

development of the area.

In deciding not to accept the Inspector's recommendation to refuse

permission, the Board considered that the proposed development would help

to meet the current licensing requirements for discharges and, based on

information provided by the applicant and assessed by the local authority’s

Environment Section regarding the assimilative capacity in the receiving

environment, would not seriously injure public health or the environment.

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______________________________________________________________


Appropriate Assessment Screening

Having regard to the Appropriate Assessment Screening Report submitted

with the application, the report of the Inspector and the nature, scale and

location of the proposed development, the Board is satisfied that the proposed

development, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects,

would not be likely to have significant effects on the Poulaphouca Reservoir

Special Protection Area (Site Code 004063), or any other European site, in

view of the conservation objectives of those sites.

Environmental Impact Assessment Screening

The Board notes that the proposed development, which is of a class of

development specified in Schedule 5 of the Planning and Development

Regulations, 2001, as amended, is sub-threshold development. The Board

hereby determines that the proposed development would not be likely to have

significant effects on the environment having regard to the criteria as set out in

Schedule 7 of the 2001 Regulations, as amended. Accordingly, an

Environmental Impact Assessment is not required for the proposed

development.

Conditions

1. The development shall be carried out and completed in accordance with

the plans and particulars lodged with the application, as amended by the

further plans and particulars submitted on the 31st day of August, 2018,

except as may otherwise be required in order to comply with the

following conditions. Where such conditions require details to be agreed

with the planning authority, the developer shall agree such details in

writing with the planning authority prior to commencement of

development and the development shall be carried out and completed in

accordance with the agreed particulars.

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______________________________________________________________


Reason: In the interest of clarity.

2. Odour levels at the site boundary shall comply with the odour

concentration limit of 3 odour units per cubic metre on the 98th percentile

basis of hourly averages. As and when required by the planning

authority, the developer shall submit a report carried out by a suitably

qualified professional, detailing compliance with the requirements of this

condition.

Reason: In the interest of protecting residential amenity of properties in

the vicinity.

3. (a) The construction of the development shall be managed in

accordance with a Construction Management Plan, which shall be

submitted to, and agreed in writing with, the planning authority prior

to commencement of development. This plan shall provide details

of intended construction practice for the development to accord

with the details identified in the Appropriate Assessment Screening

Report submitted on the 13th day of March 2018. The Plan shall

also identify the hours of working and noise management

measures.

(b) The developer shall retain the services of a suitably qualified Clerk

of Works to monitor and record the implementation of the mitigation

measures. Such records shall be kept on site and made available

for inspection by the planning authority upon request.

Reason: In the interests of public safety, residential amenity and

pollution prevention.

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______________________________________________________________


4. Details of the materials, colours and textures of all the external finishes

and boundary treatments shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing

with, the planning authority prior to commencement of development.

Reason: In the interest of visual amenity.

Dave Walsh Member of An Bord Pleanála duly authorised to authenticate the seal of the Board. Dated this day of 2019.

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DRAWING NO. 08: LOCATION OF SITE NOTICE

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:16

E 297061

N 213397

SITE NOTICE LOCATION

N


NOTES

DRAWN

CAD REFERENCE

SCALES

DATE

TITLE

REV

PROJECT

CLIENT

DRAWING No.SECTION

BLESSINGTON

WASTEWATER


LOCATION OF SITE NOTICE

1:500

D. Smithers

13.11.2020

B.14 -

DISCHARGE LICENSE

B.14 20647-DL-08

08

SIGNED :

PRINT NAME :

POSITION :

DATE :

FOR IRISH WATER


IRISH WATER

WWTP BOUNDARY LINE

SITE NOTICE LOCATION

LEGEND



Survey Ireland and the Government of Ireland copyright.


TREATMENT PLANT

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COPY OF SITE NOTICE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

APPLICATION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR THE REVIEW OF A WASTE WATER DISCHARGE LICENCE

Pursuant to Regulation 9 of the European Union (Waste Water Discharge) Regulations 2007 to 2020, Irish Water, Colvill House, 24-26 Talbot Street, Dublin 1, intend to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency for the review of a Waste Water Discharge Licence (D0063-01) for the Blessington Waste Water Works. The waste water works consists of an existing waste water treatment plant at 297061E, 213397N and an existing primary discharge into the River Liffey. Details of the location of these works are as follows: -

Waste Water Works Item Location (townland) Location of Discharge - National Grid Reference

Blessington Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Primary Discharge Point (SW001)

Burgage More (WWTP) Bishopsland (SW001)

294246E 208328N

A copy of – (i) the review application for a waste water discharge licence and (ii) such further information relating to the application as may be furnished to the Agency in the

course of the Agency's consideration of the application shall, as soon as is practicable after receipt by the Agency, be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency, P.O. Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford; at Irish Water, Colvill House, 24-26 Talbot Street, Dublin 1, and at Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Whitegates, Wicklow Town, A67 FW96: Submissions in relation to the review application may be made to the Environmental Protection Agency at its headquarters at P.O. Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, in writing within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Agency of the application.

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ATTACHMENT NO: B.14.(iii)

NEWSPAPER NOTICE

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:16

75WICKLOWPEOPLE IWednesday, March 3, 2021

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:16

ATTACHMENT NO: C.1 (i) a)

EFFLUENT MONITORING

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Attachment C.1 (i) a) Blessington WwTP - Effluent Data

Parameter Biological Oxygen Demand COD Chemical Oxygen Demand Suspended Solids Ammonia-Total (as N) ortho-Phosphate (as P) pH Total Nitrogen Total Phosphorus (as P)

ELV 20mg/l 125mg/l 30mg/l 5mg/l 1mg/l 6 to 9 n/a n/a

Sample Date mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l

10/01/2019 <18 62 13.3 2.1 0.24 7.71 16.7 1.73

07/02/2019 <2 24 11.3 2.6 0.23 7.5 18.2 0.85

13/03/2019 5 51 12.9 8.5 0.21 7.58 27.7 0.52

04/04/2019 1 48 34.1 5.5 0.22 7.67 22.4 0.52

01/05/2019 3.89 58 21 2.86 0.41 7.91 11.8 1.1

05/06/2019 41.5 45 33 4 0.23 7.76 20.4 1.04

11/07/2019 <2 36 37.8 1.68 0.41 7.78 23.1 1.04

02/08/2019 7 46 24.2 0.36 0.77 7.6 18.5 1.29

10/09/2019 <2 45 20 0.43 0.65 7.83 18 1.02

08/10/2019 3 28 <3 0.41 0.21 7.87 21.4 0.34

13/11/2019 <2 47 26.7 0.63 0.56 7.61 23.5 1.27

04/12/2019 4.7 38 38.7 <0.02 0.37 7.79 26.4 0.43

Min 1.00 24.00 1.50 0.01 0.21 7.50 11.80 0.34

Average 2.60 44.00 22.88 2.42 0.38 7.72 20.68 0.93

Max 9.00 62.00 38.70 8.50 0.77 7.91 27.70 1.73

95%ile 7.40 59.80 38.21 6.85 0.70 7.89 26.99 1.49

09/01/2020 3 34 4.9 12.8 0.11 8.02 27.2 0.44

11/02/2020 10 55 18.1 11 0.19 7.4 21.5 0.93

10/03/2020 4.29 45 20.6 1.31 0.2 7.94 18.6 0.57

13/05/2020 5 43 11.8 4 0.45 7.69 17.4 0.76

10/06/2020 <2 38 4.1 4 0.75 7.74 16.3 0.94

17/06/2020 2.37 57 8.5 4 0.57 7.59 20 0.79

11/08/2020 1.4 55 21.1 1.04 0.38 7.57 42.1 0.83

08/09/2020 3.2 68 3.8 2.5 0.18 7.65 13.7 0.41

13/10/2020 11 65 34.2 6.8 0.06 7.64 18.9 0.74

20/10/2020 8 52 21.2 3.2 0.11 7.58 19.4 0.33

10/11/2020 7.6 64 25.9 6.75 <0.02 7.67 15 0.43

08/12/2020 9 61 14 6.02 0.23 7.65 18.6 6.34

Min 1.0 34.0 3.8 1.0 0.0 7.4 13.7 0.3

Average 5.5 53.1 15.7 5.3 0.3 7.7 20.7 1.1

Max 11.0 68.0 34.2 12.8 0.8 8.0 42.1 6.3

95%ile 10.5 66.4 29.6 11.8 0.7 8.0 33.9 3.4

Note: Where the concentration in the result is less than the limit of detection (LOD), a value of 50% of the LOD was used in calculating the mean, max & 95%ile concentrations.

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:16

ATTACHMENT NO: C.1 (i) b)

INFLUENT MONITORING DATA

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:16

Attachment C.1 (i) b) Blessington WwTP - Influent Data

Parameter Biological Oxygen Demand COD Chemical Oxygen Demand Suspended Solids Total Nitrogen Total Phosphorus (as P)

Sample Date mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l

10/01/2019 251 713 95.3 68.5 11

07/02/2019 143 834 95.3 64.7 8.58

13/03/2019 226 466 237 57.6 9.14

04/04/2019 215 438 257 51.9 6.65

01/05/2019 284 631 488 60.2 10.8

05/06/2019 70 135 203 18.5 4.14

11/07/2019 363 754 437 64 9.17

02/08/2019 153 949 234 54.5 7.46

10/09/2019 160 567 126 71.9 12.2

08/10/2019 396 384 84.6 58.9 8.49

13/11/2019 180.1 579 122 55.9 8.72

04/12/2019 253 855 362.3 61.6 7.34

09/01/2020 216 593 117 47.3 7.43

11/02/2020 263 402 119 41.7 5.94

10/03/2020 94 192 37.8 26.8 3.87

13/05/2020 406 453 459 74 13.4

10/06/2020 184 455 86.3 72.2 9.52

17/06/2020 197 683 392 27.7 6.16

11/08/2020 184 582 330 76.7 11.2

17/08/2020 409 1128 614 71.8 13.3

08/09/2020 285 643 162.9 83.4 11.5

13/10/2020 421 707 180 40 6.46

20/10/2020 415 710 298 54.3 6.66

10/11/2020 277 855 333 23.9 5.53

08/12/2020 358 955 313 15.6 5.75

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

ATTACHMENT NO: C.1(ii)

AMBIENT MONITORING DATA

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

Attachment C.1 (ii) (a) Blessington WwTP - Ambient Monitoring Data - Jan 2020 to December 2020

Parameter Ammonium NH4-N BOD Chlorophyll ortho-Phosphate (as P) pH Total Nitrogen Total Phosphorus (as P)

Sample Date Station Grid Ref mg/l mg/l mg/m3mg/l mg/l mg/l

09/01/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N <0.02 < 1 4.98 < 0.03 7.83 0.7 0.0312/02/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.03 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.6 0.9 < 0.0105/03/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N <0.02 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.7 0.7 0.0214/05/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.03 < 2 53 < 0.02 7.6 0.8 < 0.0205/06/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N <0.02 < 2 10.5 < 0.02 7.6 0.7 0.0207/07/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N <0.02 < 2 5.11 0.03 7.93 0.7 0.0314/08/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N <0.02 < 2 7.77 <0.02 7.3508/09/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.04 < 2 5.06 <0.02 7.07 0.82 <0.0225/09/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.02 2.4 25.5 <0.02 6.9 1.07 <0.0213/10/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.02 < 2 14.9 0.02 7 0.84 <0.02

10/11/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N <0.02 2.1 66.15 <0.02 7.68 0.84 <0.0208/12/2020 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N <0.02 < 2 <4.0 <0.02 7.58 <1 <0.02

Mean 0.02 1.08 0.01

95%ile 0.03 2.24 0.02



09/01/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.03 < 1 < 4 < 0.03 7.79 0.8 0.01

12/02/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.07 < 1 < 4 0.1 7.7 0.9 0.02

05/03/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N < 0.02 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.6 0.7 < 0.01

14/05/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.08 < 2 < 4 < 0.02 7.5 0.6 < 0.02

05/06/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.02 < 2 25.5 < 0.02 7.8 0.9 < 0.01

07/07/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.04 <2 9.37 0.03 7.99 0.7 0.03

14/08/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N <0.02 <2 5.8 <0.02 7.47 0.56

08/09/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.02 <2 4.01 0.03 7.22 0.6 <0.02

25/09/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.03 <2 <7.0 <0.02 6.8 1.1 <0.02

13/10/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.04 <2 <4.0 <0.02 6.9 0.79 <0.02

10/11/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N <0.02 <2 <4.0 <0.02 7.56 0.17 <0.02

08/12/2020 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N <0.02 <2 <4.0 <0.02 7.5 <1 <0.02

Mean 0.03 0.74 0.02

95%ile 0.08 1.00 0.07



09/01/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.04 < 1 < 4 < 0.03 7.79 0.9 0.02

12/02/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.03 < 1 < 4 0.03 7.6 0.9 0.02

05/03/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N < 0.02 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.6 0.8 < 0.01

14/05/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.06 < 2 < 4 < 0.02 7.7 0.6 < 0.02

05/06/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.03 < 2 25.1 < 0.02 7.7 0.8 0.01

07/07/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N <0.02 <2 9.96 < 0.02 7.98 0.8 < 0.02

14/08/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.02 <2 4.53 <0.02 7.51

08/09/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.02 <2 < 4 0.02 7.23 0.82 < 0.02

25/09/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.05 2.4 13.2 <0.02 6.9 1.37 <0.02

13/10/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.03 <2 <4.0 0.02 7 0.74 <0.02

10/11/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N 0.04 <2 <4.0 <0.02 7.51 0.22 <0.02

08/12/2020 Golden Falls Mid Lake 293554E, 208642N <0.02 <2 <4.0 <0.02 7.43 <1 <0.02

Mean 0.03 1.03 0.01

95%ile 0.06 1.63 0.02



09/01/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.04 < 1 < 4 < 0.03 7.93 0.9 0.01

12/02/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.03 < 1 < 4 0.02 7.6 0.9 0.01

05/03/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N < 0.02 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.6 0.9 < 0.01

14/05/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.03 < 2 6 < 0.02 7.8 0.8 < 0.02

05/06/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.03 < 2 < 4 < 0.02 7.5 0.9 < 0.01

07/07/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.03 < 2 7.87 < 0.02 7.9 0.7 < 0.02

14/08/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.07 < 2 < 4 < 0.02 7.44

08/09/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.03 <2 < 4 0.02 7.3 0.54 < 0.02

25/09/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.02 <2 <7.0 <0.02 6.9 0.99 <0.0213/10/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.03 <2 <4.0 0.02 7.1 0.75 <0.0210/11/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.03 <2 <4.0 <0.02 7.63 0.24 <0.0201/12/2020 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N <0.02 <2 <4.0 <0.02 7.48 <1 <0.02

Mean 0.03 0.81 0.01

95%ile 0.05 1.00 0.02

Note: Where the concentration in the result is less than the limit of detection (LOD), a value of 50% of the LOD was used in calculating the mean and 95%ile concentrations.

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

WwTP Station ReferenceStation

Easting

Station

NorthingMonitoring Source/Station

Sampling

MethodSample Date Alkalinity

Ammonium

NH4-N

BOD Calcium -

FilteredChloride Chlorophyll

Coliform

BacteriaColour Conductivity

DepthDissolved

Organic

Carbon

DO DO % sat E. coli Intestinal

enterococci

Magnesium -

FilteredNitrate as N Nitrite as N

Ortho-

Phosphate as

P

pH Pheophytin a Potassium -

Filtered

Silica

Sodium -

FilteredSulphate Temperature

Total

Nitrogen as N TON as N

Total

Phosphorus

as P

Trans-parency

mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/m3 no./100mls Hazen µS/m m mg/l mg/l % Sat. MPN/100mls cfu/100mls mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l pH units mg/m3 mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l Degrees C mg/l mg/l mg/l m

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 09/01/2020 34 <0.02 <1 14.1 9 4.98 2420 125 103 13 10.2 102 3 4 1.6 0.28 0.045 <0.03 7.83 < 6 0.85 4.6 4.72 4.01 7.2 0.7 0.21 0.03

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 12/02/2020 38 0.03 <1 15.8 10.5 <4.0 3 130 102.1 11.1 12.25 95.9 1 0 1.7 1.47 0.019 <0.02 7.6 < 6 0.51 4.9 4.7 3.5 5.0 0.9 1.49 <0.01

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 05/03/2020 <0.02 <1 <4.0 11.6 106.7 <0.02 7.72 0.7 0.02

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 14/05/2020 0.03 <2 53.14 10.46 102.7 <0.02 7.63 0.8 <0.02

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 05/06/2020 <0.02 <2 10.48 9.85 100.7 <0.02 7.64 0.7 0.02

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 07/07/2020 <0.02 <2 5.11 9.69 95.9 0.03 7.93 0.7 0.03

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 14/08/2020 <0.02 <2 7.77 9.12 99 <0.02 7.35 0.87 <0.02

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 08/09/2020 0.04 <2 5.06 9.13 92.9 <0.02 7.06 0.82 <0.02

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 25/09/2020 0.02 2.4 25.5 9.7 94 <0.02 6.9 1.07 <0.02

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 13/10/2020 0.02 <2 14.9 10.3 95 0.02 7 0.84 <0.02

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 10/11/2020 <0.02 2.1 66.15 9.58 93.6 <0.02 7.68 0.84 <0.02

Blessington LS090016802200160 294847 208679 Site A8 (U/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 08/12/2020 <0.02 <2 <4.0 11.81 96.8 <0.02 7.58 <1 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 09/01/2020 35 0.03 <1 13.8 8 <4.0 108 146 98.4 5.3 9.9 11.32 101.3 55 8 1.5 0.34 0.038 <0.03 7.79 < 6 0.46 4.7 4.47 3.19 6.5 0.8 0.20 0.01 0.8

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 12/02/2020 51 0.07 <1 19 11 <4.0 1120 131 114.2 5.1 12.3 12.69 98.7 488 83 1.9 1.53 0.08 0.1 7.74 < 6 0.66 5.0 5.91 4.34 4.7 0.9 1.61 0.02 0.7

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 05/03/2020 <0.02 <1 <4.0 11.5 105.6 <0.02 7.58 0.7 <0.01

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 14/05/2020 0.03 <2 <4 10.02 97.8 <0.02 7.52 0.6 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 05/06/2020 0.02 <2 25.54 9.97 99.6 <0.02 7.79 0.9 <0.01

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 07/07/2020 0.04 <2 9.37 9.9 99.2 0.03 7.99 0.7 0.03

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 14/08/2020 <0.02 <2 5.8 9.24 100.7 <0.02 7.47 0.56 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 08/09/2020 0.02 <2 4.01 10.23 102.9 0.03 7.22 0.6 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 25/09/2020 0.03 <2 <7.0 9.1 90 <0.02 6.8 1.1 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 13/10/2020 0.04 <2 <4.0 9.8 89 <0.02 6.9 0.79 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 10/11/2020 <0.02 <2 <4.0 9.5 92.8 <0.02 7.56 0.17 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010390 294164 208291 ASW1D (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 08/12/2020 <0.02 <2 <4.0 11.84 98.3 <0.02 7.5 <1 <0.02

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 09/01/2020 37 0.04 <1 14 8 <4.0 33 132 97.6 3.6 11.1 11.23 100.9 16 4 1.5 0.3 0.037 <0.03 7.79 < 6 0.45 4.7 4.47 3.56 6.3 0.9 0.19 0.02 0.9

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 12/02/2020 41 0.03 <1 16.3 9.25 <4 248 134 111.2 3.4 11.6 12.26 96 91 24 1.7 2.03 0.022 0.03 7.64 < 6 0.5 4.9 4.83 8 5 0.9 2.05 0.02 0.9

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 05/03/2020 <0.02 1 <4 11.7 107.4 <0.02 7.57 0.8 <0.01

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 14/05/2020 0.06 <2 <4 10.07 97.9 <0.02 7.65 0.6 <0.02

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 05/06/2020 0.03 <2 25.07 9.91 99.5 <0.02 7.74 0.8 0.01

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 07/07/2020 <0.02 <2 9.96 9.94 99.4 <0.02 7.98 0.8 <0.02

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 14/08/2020 0.02 <2 4.53 9.17 99.8 <0.02 7.51 0.57 <0.02

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 08/09/2020 0.02 <2 <4 9.91 100.2 0.02 7.23 0.82 <0.02

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 25/09/2020 0.05 2.4 13.2 9.3 90 <0.02 6.9 1.37 <0.02

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 13/10/2020 0.03 <2 <4.0 10 91 0.02 7 0.74 <0.02

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 10/11/2020 0.04 <2 <4.0 9.48 92.7 <0.02 7.51 0.22 <0.02

Blessington LS090016804400010 293550 208500 Mid Lake (D/S Blessington WWTP) Grab 08/12/2020 <0.02 <2 <4.0 11.86 98.7 <0.02 7.43 <1 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 09/01/2020 37 0.04 <1 15 7.3 <4.0 55 118 107 11.4 12.1 101 5 0 1.6 0.3 0.05 <0.03 7.93 < 6 0.51 4.7 4.67 3.19 7.0 0.9 0.23 0.01

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 12/02/2020 40 0.03 <1 16.3 9.0 <4.0 201 122 109.3 13.2 12.22 95.8 83 29 1.7 1.45 0.015 0.02 7.61 < 6 0.5 5.0 4.86 4.74 5.0 0.9 1.47 0.01

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 05/03/2020 <0.02 <1 <4.0 11.6 106.8 <0.02 7.64 0.9 <0.01

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 14/05/2020 0.08 <2 5.95 10.69 102.1 <0.02 7.78 0.8 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 05/06/2020 0.03 <2 <4 9.81 96.6 <0.02 7.47 0.9 <0.01

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 07/07/2020 0.03 <2 7.87 9.57 95.1 <0.02 7.9 0.7 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 14/08/2020 0.07 <2 <4 9.17 97.8 <0.02 7.44 0.69 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 08/09/2020 0.03 <2 <4 9.72 102.1 0.02 7.3 0.54 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 25/09/2020 0.02 <2 <7.0 10.4 98 <0.02 6.9 0.99 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 13/10/2020 0.03 <2 <4.0 10.4 96 0.02 7.1 0.75 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 10/11/2020 0.03 <2 <4.0 9.61 94.4 <0.02 7.63 0.24 <0.02

Blessington RS09L010392 292861 209025 D/S Golden Falls Grab 01/02/2020 <0.02 <2 <4.0 12.02 98.5 <0.02 7.48 <1 <0.02

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

Attachment C.1 (ii) (b) Blessington WwTP - Ambient Monitoring Data - Jan 2019 to Dec 2019

Parameter Ammonium NH4-N BOD Chlorophyll ortho-Phosphate (as P) pH Total Nitrogen Total Phosphorus (as P)Sample Date Station Grid Ref mg/l mg/l mg/m3 mg/l mg/l mg/l11-Jan-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N < 0.02 1 < 4 < 0.02 6.82 0.8 < 0.0227-Feb-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.03 < 1 < 7 0.03 6.03 0.9 < 0.0119-Mar-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.02 < 1 < 4 0.06 7.25 0.8 < 0.015-Apr-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N < 0.02 < 1 < 4 0.03 7.29 1 0.011-May-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N < 0.02 2.14 < 4 < 0.02 7.85 0.9 < 0.014-June-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.02 2 < 0.03 7.58 0.7 0.032-July-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N < 0.02 < 1 5.71 < 0.02 7.88 0.8 < 0.012-Aug-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.02 2 10.29 < 0.02 7.57 0.8 0.0210-Sep-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.11 < 1 5.77 < 0.02 7.76 0.7 0.068-Oct-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.06 < 1 5.24 < 0.02 7.71 0.9 0.025-Nov-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.06 < 2 5.35 < 0.02 7.6 1 < 0.016-Dec-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N < 0.02 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.76 0.9 < 0.0110-Dec-2019 aSW1u (u/s Blessington WwTP) 294714E, 208463N 0.06 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.78 0.9 < 0.01

Mean 0.033 0.934 0.017

95%ile 0.078 2.049 0.041



11-Jan-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N < 0.02 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.18 0.8 < 0.02

27-Feb-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.06 1 < 7 0.02 5.84 1.1 0.01

19-Mar-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.04 < 1 < 4 0.04 7.1 0.8 0.02

5-Apr-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.08 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.65 0.9 0.02

1-May-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.12 2.52 < 4 0.02 7.76 0.9 0.02

4-June-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.02 3 < 0.02 7.61 0.8 0.02

2-July-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N < 0.02 1 5.99 < 0.02 7.82 0.7 < 0.01

2-Aug-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.02 2 5.89 < 0.02 7.62 0.9 0.02

10-Sep-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.03 < 1 6.32 < 0.02 7.49 1.2 0.02

8-Oct-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.05 < 1 4.04 < 0.02 7.69 1 0.015-Nov-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.07 < 2 < 4 0.02 7.6 0.8 0.026-Dec-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N < 0.02 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.77 1.1 0.01

10-Dec-2019 aSW1d (Golden Falls d/s WWDL) 294165E, 208292N 0.06 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.84 1 0.01

Mean 0.045 1.078 0.015

95%ile 0.094 2.688 0.027



11-Jan-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N < 0.02 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.02 0.9 < 0.02

27-Feb-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.04 < 1 < 7 0.05 6.14 1.1 0.01

19-Mar-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.05 < 1 < 4 0.04 7.52 0.8 < 0.01

5-Apr-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.05 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.72 0.9 0.01

1-May-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.06 2.04 4.36 < 0.02 7.92 0.9 < 0.01

4-June-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N < 0.02 1 < 0.02 7.61 0.9 0.02

2-July-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N < 0.02 < 1 4.56 < 0.02 7.68 1 < 0.01

2-Aug-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.02 < 1 5.52 < 0.02 7.56 0.8 0.02

10-Sep-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N < 0.02 < 1 4.74 < 0.02 7.56 0.7 0.03

8-Oct-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.03 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.48 0.9 0.01

5-Nov-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.02 < 2 < 4 < 0.02 7.6 0.9 0.02

6-Dec-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N < 0.02 < 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.76 1.2 0.01

10-Dec-2019 d/s Golden Falls Reservoir 292932, 209006N 0.06 1 < 4 < 0.02 7.72 1 0.01

Mean 0.029 0.734 0.015

95%ile 0.060 1.364 0.044


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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

Attachment C.1(ii) c) WFD Ambient Data for Ballymore Eustace Br. (Station -RS09L010400) - March 2019 to June 2020

ParameterAlkalinity (Total as CaCO3)

Ammonia (Total as N) BOD Chloride Conductivity Dissolved

Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen

Nitrate (As N)

Sample Date Station Grid Ref mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l ÂµS/cm % Saturation mg/l mg/l01/03/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 54 0.01 <1 9 165 111 12.7 0.7412/04/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 31 0.02 1 10 175 104 12.3 0.6519/06/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 60 0.02 1 10 176 102 10.1 0.5607/08/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 56 0.02 1 10 163 89 8.4 0.5414/11/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 40 0.01 <1 8 N/A 95 11.1 0.7811/02/2020 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 51 0.052 <1 10.6 147 104 13.2 0.8321/04/2020 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 65 0.024 <1 10.9 186 104 11.4 0.8310/06/2020 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 63 0.034 1.1 10.9 177 94 9.5 0.69

Mean 52.5 0.0238 1.03 9.93 169.9 100.4 11.1 0.70

95%ile 64.3 0.0457 1.09 10.90 183.3 108.55 13.03 0.83

Parameter Nitrite (as N)

ortho-Phosphate (as

P) pH Sulphate Temperature Total

Hardness

Total Oxidised Nitrogen (as N)

True Colour

Sample Date Station Grid Ref mg/l mg/l mg/l 0C mg/l mg/l Hazen01/03/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N <0.005 <0.01 7.8 8 9.5 65 0.74 7412/04/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N <0.005 0.01 7.9 6 8.4 65 0.65 7619/06/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N <0.005 0.01 7.8 7 15.2 68 0.57 5907/08/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 0.006 0.03 7.7 6 16.8 65 0.54 5414/11/2019 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N <0.005 <0.01 7.6 <5 8 49 0.78 10911/02/2020 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 0.00766 0.013 7.5 N/A 4.9 56 0.83 9221/04/2020 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 0.002 <0.01 7.9 N/A 11.2 79 0.84 4410/06/2020 Ballymore Eustace Br 292660E, 209723N 0.00406 <0.01 7.8 N/A 14.2 76 0.7 41

Mean 0.0049 0.0 7.8 6.8 11.0 65.4 0.7 68.6

95%ile 0.01 0.03 7.90 7.85 16.24 77.95 0.84 103.05

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

Attachment C.1(ii) c) WFD Ambient Data for Station 3 B Surrogate of DS Blessington UWW (Station: LS090016804400020) - Jan 2019 to December 2019

ParameterAlkalinity

(Total as CaCO3)Ammonia

(Total as N) BOD Calcium Chloride Chlorophyll Coliform Bacteria Conductivity Depth Dissolved

Organic CarbonDissolved Oxygen

Dissolved Oxygen E. Coli Enterococci

(Intestinal)Magnesium -

filtered

Sample Date Station Grid Ref mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/m3 no./100ml ÂµS/cm Metres mg/l % Saturation mg/l MPN/100ml cfu/100ml mg/l11/01/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 33 <0.02 <1 12.9 11 <4 150 111 4.3 4 96.3 11.63 33 21 1.527/02/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 41 0.06 1 16.2 12.5 <7 579 117 5.7 <0.03 97 11.47 129 22 1.719/03/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 40 0.04 <1 15.7 11.5 <4 30 128 4.1 7.2 99.3 11.29 10 11 1.805/04/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 40 0.08 <1 15.5 20.49 <4 435 110 3.9 7.5 97.5 11.8 70 37 1.701/05/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 41 0.12 2.52 16.2 15 <4 96 115 3.2 8.1 9.35 100.4 24 10 1.704/06/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 15 0.02 3 17.3 12 N/A 199 75.6 3.2 2.4 97.2 9.68 8 3 1.802/07/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 88 <0.02 1 18.4 13.5 5.99 99 126 5.2 4.9 9.49 100 17 0 1.902/08/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 39 0.02 2 17.4 11.5 5.89 135 120 5.1 5 123.1 9.92 12 3 1.802/09/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 52 0.03 <1 15.8 14 6.32 291 116 4.5 10.8 79 8 47 35 1.708/10/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 36 0.05 <1 15 21 4.04 210 113 4.7 5 9 92 29 0 1.705/11/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 40 0.07 <2 15.6 8 <4 0 112 3.7 11.1 10.4 91 0 46 1.706/12/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 33 <0.02 <1 13.2 10 <4 42 94.6 3.9 15.2 93.3 11.82 16 3 1.506/12/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 35 0.06 <1 15.3 8.5 <4 82 95.1 N/A 9 11.98 100.9 17 12 1.6

Mean 41.0 0.0 1.1 15.7 13.0 3.3 180.6 110.3 4.3 6.9 64.1 43.8 31.7 15.6 1.7

95%ile 66.4 0.1 2.7 17.8 20.7 6.1 492.6 126.8 5.4 12.7 108.8 100.6 93.6 40.6 1.8

Parameter Nitrate (As N) Nitrite (as N)ortho-

Phosphate (as P)

pH Pheophytin a Potassium - filtered

Silica (as SiO2)

Sodium - filtered Sulphate Temperature Total

Nitrogen

Total Oxidised Nitrogen

(as N)

Total Phosphorus

(as P)Transparency True Colour

Sample Date Station Grid Ref mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/m3 mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l °C mg/l mg/l mg/l m Hazen11/01/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N <0.7 <0.08 <0.02 7.18 <6 0.46 4.6 5.1 4 7.3 0.8 <0.7 <0.02 2.6 14727/02/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 0.77 0.016 0.02 5.84 <6 0.53 5.5 5.32 4 7.9 1.1 0.8 0.01 1.2 12219/03/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N <1 <0.08 0.04 7.1 <6 0.59 5.1 5.74 4 9.9 0.8 0.9 0.02 1.3 11505/04/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N <0.7 0.014 <0.02 7.65 <6 0.5 4.8 4.98 3 7 0.9 <0.7 0.02 1.1 12601/05/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 1.34 0.052 0.02 7.76 <6 0.57 3.9 5.67 <10 11.7 0.9 <0.7 0.02 1.2 10004/06/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N <1 0.028 <0.02 7.61 <6 0.49 3.8 5.7 2 11.5 0.8 <0.7 0.02 1.3 9602/07/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N <1 0.03 <0.02 7.82 <6 0.53 3.1 6.01 0 17.9 0.7 <0.7 <0.01 1.4 6702/08/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N <1 0.02 <0.02 7.62 <6 0.53 3.1 5.36 <2 11 0.9 <0.7 0.02 1.5 5302/09/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N <1 <0.002 <0.02 7.49 <6 0.54 2.8 5.56 1 16.3 1.2 <0.7 0.02 2.2 9808/10/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 0.38 0.038 <0.02 7.69 <6 0.55 3 4.91 3 13.5 1 <0.7 0.01 1.5 11005/11/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 0.33 0.05 0.02 7.6 <6 N/A 3.5 4.86 3 9.3 0.8 <0.7 0.02 1.05 11906/12/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 0.33 0.036 <0.02 7.77 <6 0.54 4.3 3.75 5 6.3 1.1 0.7 0.01 1.1 14106/12/2019 DS Blessington UWW 293548E, 208501N 0.52 0.077 <0.02 7.84 <6 0.58 4.3 4.89 5 8 1 <0.7 0.01 N/A 137

Mean 0.53 0.034 0.015 7.46 3.0 0.53 4.0 5.22 3.0 10.6 0.92 0.45 0.015 1.5 110.1

95%ile 1.00 0.062 0.028 7.83 3.0 0.58 5.3 5.85 4.9 16.9 1.14 0.84 0.020 2.4 143.4

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

ATTACHMENT NO: C.1(iii)

EFFLUENT DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE MONITORING - AUGUST 2012

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

ATTACHMENT NO: C.1(iv)

WWTP PRIORITY SUBSTANCES ASSESSMENT REPORT

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

Priority Substances Assessment

Agglomeration Name: Blessington Licence Register No. D0063-01

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ii | Irish Water

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 1 2 Desktop Study 1 2.1 Assessment of Analysis Required 1 2.2 Review Outcome of Desktop Study 5 3 Assessment of Significance and Recommendations 5

Appendix 1 – Screening of Parameters for Priority Substances

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1 | Irish Water

1 Introduction This report has been prepared for D0063-01, Blessington to inform the review application of the wastewater discharge licence.

Blessington WwTP was designed for 6000 p.e. and is currently biologically overloaded. The discharge is also not meeting the ELV that was set in the current licence for Ammonia of 5mg/l.

The Blessington WwTP upgrade project, which was granted planning post appeal on the 26th February 2019, relates to an upgrade to the current plant to accommodate future loads and ensure that the ELV for Ammonia can be met.

The upgrade works is designed to provide full primary, secondary and tertiary treatment for up to 9,000 p.e. and the treated wastewater, upon completion of the WwTP upgrade, has been designed to meet the emission limit values (ELVs) as specified in the current Discharge Licence.

This desk top study has been undertaken to determine the necessity, if any, for further analysis of the discharge based on the Guidance on the Screening for Priority Substances for Waste Water Discharge Licences, issued by the EPA. Relevant inputs to the Blessington WwTP and emissions from the discharge point (2012 analysis) have been taken into account in the preparation of this report.

Details of emissions data available from August 2012 on the receiving water are included in Appendix 1.

2 Desktop Study

2.1 Assessment of Analysis Required A. Review of all industrial inputs into WWTP

A review of the GeoDirectory and all EPA licensed facilities was undertaken to determine the non-domestic discharge types which are being discharged to the Blessington WwTP. The IW Technical Assessment Manual Sectoral Profile Data was reviewed to determine the potential dangerous substances which could be released to sewer from industrial inputs.

Currently, there is one industrial premises with an IPC licence (i.e. P0197-02) within the agglomeration however there are no process effluent emissions to sewer from this facility which prints and assembles bags and packaging materials for the food industry.

There are 3 trade effluent licences under Section 16 of the Water Pollution Act 1977 (amended 1990) within the agglomeration (i.e. WPL(S16)-15, WPL(S16)-284 & WPL(S16)-81). There are no Priority Substances ELVs associated with any of these S16 licences. It is considered that the Priority Substances which are possibly being emitted to sewer have been well represented in this partial characterisation of the wastewater (Table 2.1).

Upon review of the types of businesses, amenities and educational facilities in Blessington, Table 2.1 provides an indicative list of non-domestic discharge types to the WwTP and details potential dangerous/priority substance.

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2 | Irish Water

Table 2.1 – List of Non-Domestic Discharge Types to WwTP and Details of Potential Dangerous/Priority Substance

Type of Industry within the Agglomeration

Potential Source of Dangerous / Priority Substances (Yes / No)

Dangerous / Priority Substances Monitoring Undertaken (Yes / No)

List of Potential Dangerous Substances Based on Industry Type (Source: Technical Assessment Manual - Sectoral Profile Data)

Launderettes and Dry Cleaners Yes Unknown Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

Hairdressers Yes Unknown Nickel and its compounds Cadmium and its compounds

Dentist Yes Unknown Octylphenols Mercury and its compounds

Garages and filling stations Yes Unknown

Benzene Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) Lead and its compounds Naphthalene Nickel and its compounds Cadmium and its compounds Mercury and its compounds Chromium (III) Copper Toluene Xylenes (Total) Zinc

Manufacture of food products and beverages Yes Unknown

Lead and its compounds Nickel and its compounds Cadmium and its compounds Mercury and its compounds Chromium (III) Copper Zinc

Production, processing and preserving of meat and meat products

Yes Unknown

Naphthalene Trichloroethylene Cadmium and its compounds Hexachlorocylohexane (Lindane)

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List of Potential Dangerous Substances Based on Industry Type (Source: Technical Assessment Manual - Sectoral Profile Data) Chromium (VI) Cypermethrin Toluene Xylenes (Total)

Manufacture of wood and wood products Yes Unknown

Fluoranthene Lead and its compounds Naphthalene Pentachlorophenol Trichlorobenzene (all isomers) Anthracene Cadmium and its compounds Endosulfan Hexachlorocylohexane (Lindane) Mercury and its compounds Pentachloro-benzene Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Tributyltin Arsenic Chromium (III) Chromium (VI) Copper Phenol Toluene Xylenes (Total) Zinc

Manufacture of machinery and equipment Yes Unknown

Dichloromethane Lead and its compounds Nickel and its compounds Chromium (III) Copper

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4 | Irish Water




List of Potential Dangerous Substances Based on Industry Type (Source: Technical Assessment Manual - Sectoral Profile Data) Toluene Xylenes (Total) Zinc

Construction Yes Unknown

Lead and its compounds Nickel and its compounds Mercury and its compounds Arsenic Chromium (III) Copper Zinc

Other supporting transport activities Yes Unknown Benzene

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5 | Irish Water

B. Discharge monitoring

In August 2012, the primary discharge from this agglomeration was analysed for the possible presence of Specific Pollutants, Priority and Priority Hazardous Substances as outlined in Table 10, 11 and 12 of European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009, as amended. This analysis data is included in Appendix 1.

C. Downstream monitoring location’s participation in relevant monitoring programme

There is recent no priority substances monitoring data for the downstream ambient monitoring location.

D. Participation in PRTR reporting

Estimated data from the PRTR reporting tool was not required for this desktop assessment as analysis data from 2012 was available for all parameters in Appendix 1.

2.2 Review Outcome of Desktop Study

Following the desktop study, all parameters in Appendix 1 have been assessed to establish any potential impact on the receiving waters. Priority substance concentrations in the primary discharge were available for all parameters based on 2012 analysis data. This desktop study is considered to provide partial characterisation of the wastewater.

3 Assessment of Significance and Recommendations An assessment of the potential for impacts on receiving waters from priority substances in the primary discharge has been carried out. The assessment considers the primary discharge relevant to Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for priority substances in surface waters, as set out in the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009, as amended.

Based on the 2012 data, no parameters were identified as potentially being higher than the required EQS.

Does the assessment use the Desk Top Study Method or Screening Analysis to determine if the discharge contains the parameters in Appendix 1 of the EPA guidance

Desk Top Study

Does the assessment include a review of licensed / authorised inputs to the works? Yes

Does the assessment include a review of other (unauthorised) inputs to the works? Yes

Does the report include an assessment of the significance of the results where a listed material is present in the discharge? (e.g. impact on the relevant EQS standard for the receiving water)

Yes

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6 | Irish Water

Does the assessment identify that priority substances may be impacting the receiving water? No

Does the Improvement Programme for the agglomeration include the elimination / reduction of all priority substances identified as having an impact on receiving water quality?

N/A

4 Conclusion: Based on the analysis of the final effluent discharged from the existing WwTP taken in August 2012, it is concluded that none of the substances listed in the Specific Pollutants, Priority and Priority Hazardous Substances as outlined in Table 10, 11 and 12 of European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009, as amended (S.I No. 272 of 2009, as amended), were seen to be present in the effluent discharge to the River Liffey, downstream of the Poulaphouca Reservoir and upstream of Golden Falls Lake, at concentrations above the standards in S.I No. 272 of 2009, as amended.

Based on the results of this desk top study, it can be determined that no further analysis of the discharge, based on the Guidance on the Screening for Priority Substances for Waste Water Discharge Licences, issued by the EPA, is required .

It is anticipated that the upgrade works to the existing treatment plant will ensure a high quality of effluent discharge to the River Liffey and therefore it is not anticipated that the discharged effluent from the upgraded plant will impair the receiving environment.

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Appendix 1 – Screening of Parameters for Priority Substances

AA: Annual Average MAC: Maximum Allowable Concentration EQS: Environmental Quality Standards Dilution factor in receiving water: Approx. 1:64 dilutions estimated immediately in the proximity of the discharge point (based on 2,025m3/d DWF & 95%ile flow of 1.5m3/s)

No. Compound Group of compounds

AA-EQS Inland SW (µg/l)

AA-EQS Other SW (µg/l)

Measured /Estimated Conc. (µg/l)1

Data Source

Sample Date (if applicable)

Effluent Concentration above AA concentration (Yes/No)

Effluent Concentration above AA concentration after dilution (Yes/No)

1 Benzene VOCs 10 8 <0.47 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 2 Carbon tetrachloride VOCs 12 12 <5 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 3 1,2-Dichloroethane VOCs 10 10 <0.65 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 4 Dichloromethane VOCs 20 20 <5 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 5 Tetrachloroethylene VOCs 10 10 <1 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 6 Trichloroethylene VOCs 10 10 <1 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 7 Trichlorobenzenes VOCs 0.4 0.4 <0.61 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 8 Trichloromethane VOCs 2.5 2.5 <0.3 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 9 Xylenes (all isomers) VOCs 10 10 <0.7 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

10 Ethyl Benzene VOCs n/a n/a <0.453 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 11 Toluene VOCs 10 10 <0.54 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 12 Naphthlene1 PAHs 2 2 <0.7 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

13 Fluoranthene1 PAHs 0.0063 0.0063 <0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

14 Benzo[k]fluoranthene2 PAHs MAC of 0.017

MAC of 0.017

<0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

1 The EQS for these substances shall take effect from 22 December 2015 2 No indicative parameter is provided for this group of substances

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Data Source




15 Benzo[ghi]perylene2 PAHs MAC of 8.2

x 10-3 MAC of 8.2

x 10-4 <0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

16 Indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene2 PAHs

<0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

17 Benzo[b]fluoranthene2 PAHs MAC of

0.017 MAC of

0.017 <0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

18 Benzo[a]pyrene PAHs 1.7 x 10-4 1.7 x 10-4 <0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

19 Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) Plasticiser 1.3 1.3 <0.001 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

20 Isodrin3 Pesticides ∑=0.01 ∑=0.005

<0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

21 Dieldrin3 Pesticides <0.001 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

22 Diuron Pesticides 0.2 0.2 <0.002 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 23 Isoproturon Pesticides 0.3 0.3 <0.001 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 24 Atrazine Pesticides 0.6 0.6 <0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 25 Simazine Pesticides 1 1 <0.01 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 26 Glyphosate Pesticides 60 - 0.002 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 27 Mecoprop Pesticides n/a n/a 0.003 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 28 2,4-D Pesticides n/a n/a 0.002 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 29 MCPA Pesticides n/a n/a 0.006 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 30 Linuron Pesticides 0.7 0.7 <0.001 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 31 Dichlobenil Pesticides n/a n/a <0.001 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 32 2,6-Dichlorobenzamide Pesticides n/a n/a <0.0001 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a

3 ∑ of Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin and Isodrin.

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Data Source




33 PCBs PCBs n/a n/a <0.05 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 34 Phenols (as Total C) Phenols 8 8 <0.1 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 35 Lead Metals 1.2 1.3 0.304 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 36 Arsenic Metals 25 20 0.359 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 37 Copper Metals 5 or 302 5 1.942 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

38 Zinc Metals 8 or 50 or 1003 40 35.3 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

39 Cadmium Metals

0.08 or 0.09 or 0.15 or

0.254

0.2

0.126 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

40 Mercury Metals MAC of 0.07

MAC of 0.07

<0.04 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No

41 Chromium VI Metals 3.4 0.6 <0.28 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 42 Selenium Metals n/a n/a <2.12 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 43 Antimony Metals n/a n/a 4.89 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 44 Molybdenum Metals n/a n/a <5 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 45 Tin Metals n/a n/a 26.15 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 46 Barium Metals n/a n/a 8.38 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 47 Boron Metals n/a n/a 96.46 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 48 Cobalt Metals n/a n/a <0.12 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 49 Vanadium Metals n/a n/a 0.146 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 50 Nickel Metals 4 8.6 <2.29 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 51 Fluoride General 500 1,500 230 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No 52 Chloride General n/a n/a 45.29 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a 53 TOC General n/a n/a 11.4mg/l 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a

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10 | Irish Water





Data Source




54 Cyanide General 10 10 <5 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 No No Conductivity General n/a n/a 471 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a Hardness (mg/l CaCO3) General n/a n/a 109 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a pH General n/a n/a 7.4 2012 Analysis 28/08/2012 n/a n/a

Notes:

1. Where measured values are available these should be used instead of estimated values from PRTR tool. 2. In the case of Copper, the value 5 applies where the water hardness measured in mg/l CaCO3 is less than or equal to 100; the value 30 applies where

the water hardness exceeds 100 mg/l CaCO3. Estimated CaCO3 value > 100 where no sampling data available (based on PRTR tool) 3. In the case of Zinc, the standard shall be 8 μg/l for water hardness with annual average values less than or equal to 10 mg/l CaCO3, 50 μg/l for water

hardness greater than 10 mg/l CaCO3 and less than or equal to 100 mg/l CaCO3 and 100 μg/l elsewhere. Estimated CaCO3 value > 100 where no sampling data available

4. For Cadmium and its compounds the EQS values vary dependent upon the hardness of the water as specified in five class categories (Class 1: <40 mg CaCO3/l, Class 2: 40 to <50 mg CaCO3/l, Class 3: 50 to <100 mg CaCO3/l, Class 4: 100 to <200 mg CaCO3/l and Class 5: >200 mg CaCO3/l)

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

ATTACHMENT NO: D.1(i)

WASTE ASSIMILATIVE CAPACITY CALCULATONS

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

Waste Assimilative Capacity (WAC) Calculation Calculation Sheet

Date 24/11/2020

WWTP Blessington

Name of River River Liffey

Data Source m3/d

Dry Weather Flow

95% Flow 1.500

http://www.epa.ie/hydronet/#09007 129,600

Mean Annual Flow 0.00000

Achievable Effluent Standards mg/l

Carbonaceous BOD 20.000

Ammonia 5.000

Ortho Phosphate (OP) 1.000

Average Background Concentration (Actual)

Parameter mg/l Data Source mg/l Data Source

Carbonaceous BOD 0.260 EPA Notionally Clean 0.731

Ammonia 0.008 EPA Notionally Clean 0.035

Ortho Phosphate (OP) 0.005 EPA Notionally Clean 0.012

Allowable Downstream Concentration (Surface Water Regulations)

Parameter 95%ile mg/l Mean mg/l Data Ref

Carbonaceous BOD 2.60 1.50

Ammonia 0.14 0.065

Ortho Phosphate (OP) 0.075 0.035

PE WWTP Daily Flow (DWF)

BOD NH OP BOD NH OP

m³/d mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l

9,000 2,025 152.36 8.59 4.56 122.23 6.88 4.11


BOD NH OP BOD NH OP

m³/d kg/d kg/d kg/d kg/d kg/d kg/d

9,000 2,025 308.53 17.39 9.22 247.52 13.94 8.33


BOD NH OP BOD NH OP

m³/d mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l

9,000 2,025 0.57 0.085 0.020 1.0385 0.112 0.027

Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable

Average Background Concentration (Notional)

(Station: US of Blessington WwTP)

Surface Water Regs

Surface Water Regs

Surface Water Regs

WAC (Notionally Clean) WAC (Actual)

Resultant Concentration (Notionally Clean) Resultant Concentration (Actual)

Sept 2019 to Sept 2020

Allowable effluent conc (Notionally Clean) Allowable effluent conc (Actual)

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

http://www.epa.ie/hydronet/#09007�

http://www.epa.ie/hydronet/#09007�

Date Date10/09/2019 U/S 0.11 < 0.02 < 1 10/09/2019 U/S 0.11 0.01 0.508/10/2019 U/S 0.06 < 0.02 < 1 08/10/2019 U/S 0.06 0.01 0.505/11/2019 U/S 0.06 < 0.02 < 2 05/11/2019 U/S 0.06 0.01 106/12/2019 U/S < 0.02 < 0.02 < 1 06/12/2019 U/S 0.01 0.01 0.510/12/2019 U/S 0.06 < 0.02 < 1 10/12/2019 U/S 0.06 0.01 0.509/01/2020 U/S <0.02 < 0.03 < 1 09/01/2020 U/S 0.01 0.015 0.512/02/2020 U/S 0.03 < 0.02 < 1 12/02/2020 U/S 0.03 0.01 0.505/03/2020 U/S < 0.02 < 0.02 < 1 05/03/2020 U/S 0.01 0.01 0.514/05/2020 U/S 0.03 < 0.02 < 2 14/05/2020 U/S 0.03 0.01 105/06/2020 U/S < 0.02 < 0.02 < 2 05/06/2020 U/S 0.01 0.01 107/07/2020 U/S <0.02 0.03 <2 07/07/2020 U/S 0.01 0.03 114/08/2020 U/S < 0.02 <0.02 <2 14/08/2020 U/S 0.01 0.01 108/09/2020 U/S 0.04 <0.02 <2 08/09/2020 U/S 0.04 0.01 1

Mean 0.035 0.012 0.731 0.035 0.012 0.7310.080 0.021 1.000 0.080 0.021 1.000


95%ile

Upstream Results (u/s Blessington WwTP)Ammonia (mg/l)

*Ortho P (mg/l) *

BOD (mg/l)

Mean95%ile

Upstream Results (u/s Blessington WwTP)Ammonia (mg/l) *

Ortho P (mg/l) *

BOD (mg/l)

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

ATTACHMENT NO: D.1(ii)

BLESSINGTON WWTP WATER QUALITY STUDY

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EPA Export 17-03-2021:03:01:17

Martin McGarrigle

limnos-consultancy.com

28 September 2020 V.4

Blessington WWTP Water Quality Study

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Limnos Consultancy Sep 2020

2

Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3

Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 3

Review of Available Data ........................................................................................................... 4

Flow Data for Golden Falls ..................................................................................................... 4

Ambient Water Chemistry Data ............................................................................................. 5

Assessment of the Likely Current WFD Status/Ecological Potential of Golden Falls ............. 9

Total Phosphorus (mg P/l) .................................................................................................. 9

Total Ammonia (mg N/l) ..................................................................................................... 9

Assessment of Likely Lake Trophic Status ............................................................................ 10

WWTP Discharge Concentrations ........................................................................................ 10

Flow Data for Blessington WWTP Discharge........................................................................ 13

Modelling the Impact of the WWTP on Golden Falls Reservoir .............................................. 14

Treating Golden Falls Reservoir as a Lake ............................................................................ 14

Model Calibration for Golden Falls Total Phosphorus ......................................................... 15

OECD Combined Model Prediction .................................................................................. 15

Shallow Lakes and Reservoirs Model Prediction .............................................................. 15

Adjusted Golden Falls Model ............................................................................................ 15

Predicting the Impact of the expanded Blessington WWTP on Golden Falls ...................... 15

Model Calibration for Golden Falls Total Nitrogen (TN) ...................................................... 17

OECD Models .................................................................................................................... 17

Adjusted Golden Falls Model ............................................................................................ 17

Predicting the Impact of the expanded Blessington WWTP on Golden Falls ...................... 17

Prediction of Chlorophyll Levels in Golden Falls .................................................................. 18

Classification of Golden Falls Reservoir ............................................................................... 18

Classification under WFD EQS based on SI 77 of 2019 and SI 272 of 2009 ...................... 18

Classification of Trophic Status based on OECD 1982 thresholds .................................... 19

Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 19

References ............................................................................................................................... 20

Dataset Appendices ................................................................................................................. 20

Appendix 1 – Golden Falls Chemistry Data .......................................................................... 20

Appendix 2 – Blessington WWTP Discharge and Influent Data ........................................... 20

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Blessington Water Quality Study

3

Introduction The EPA has instructed Irish Water to apply for a licence review for Blessington waste water

treatment plant (WWTP) (authorisation reference D0063). The emission limit values (ELVs)

and licence conditions for Blessington agglomeration were set based on 6,000 population

equivalent (PE). Planning permission has been granted for upgrade works to increase the

plant capacity to 9,000 PE.

The receiving water body is officially a section of the River Liffey which flows into Golden

Falls reservoir. The EPA has confirmed via email on the 30th May 2018 that the Blessington

WWTP primary discharge receiving water “is currently defined as river water body channel

and falls between Pollaphuca and Golden Falls, it is part of the river water body Liffey_040

(IE-EA_09L010400)”.

This study evaluates the current impact of the Blessington WWTP on the receiving water

and predicts the likely future impact on Golden Falls Reservoir with increased capacity

(9,000 PE) at the ELVs set in the current licence for the plant.

The Golden Falls Reservoir (IE_EA_09_53) is defined as a lake water body under the Water

Framework Directive (WFD) but it has not been assigned an ecological status to date. The

Pollaphuca Reservoir immediately upstream has been assigned Good Ecological status in the

2013–2018 assessment. The intervening section of the River Liffey is currently at ‘Moderate’

ecological status.

Methodology For the purposes of this study the impact of the Blessington WWTP will be assessed using a

Vollenweider-type modelling approach (OECD, 1982). These models are relatively simple

and are used to predict in-lake concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN)

and chlorophyll using inflowing concentrations and taking the residence time of the water

body into account.

Monitoring data are available for the chemistry of the inflowing water and the in-lake water

quality (Appendix 1) and detailed daily flow-through volumes are also available for the

Golden Falls Reservoir – these are summarised in Table 1. Monitoring data for the

Blessington WWTP influent and discharge concentrations are also available (Appendix 2).

The available data are reviewed and an estimate of the likely ecological status for the

reservoir is made based on these data.

A Vollenweider-type model is calibrated for Golden Falls and then used to predict the likely

impact on in-lake concentrations and resultant status following an increase from 6,000 PE to

9,000 PE at the WWTP.

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4

Review of Available Data

Flow Data for Golden Falls Daily flows are available for Golden Falls. Its use for hydroelectric generation results in flows

that are episodic. A base flow for protection of fisheries in the River Liffey is maintained at

1.5 m3/s. Table 1 gives minimum, mean and maximum flows for the Pollaphuca Dam, water

flowing into Golden Falls, and the outflow at the Golden Falls Dam.

Table 1. Flow statistics for Pollaphuca (input) and Golden Falls (output).

Month Mean Flow Pollaphuca

(m3/s)

Max Flow Pollaphuca

(m3/s)

Min Flow Pollaphuca

(m3/s)

Mean Flow Golden Falls

(m3/s)

Max Flow Golden Falls

(m3/s)

Min Flow Golden Falls

(m3/s)

Jan 10.36 39.70 0.00 11.56 34.70 1.50

Feb 4.96 39.30 0.00 5.36 33.10 1.50

Mar 11.24 40.90 0.00 12.32 42.10 1.50

Apr 10.95 72.70 0.00 12.41 34.10 1.50

May 1.41 51.60 0.00 1.98 32.60 1.50

Jun 1.17 40.00 0.00 1.78 32.00 1.50

Jul 1.61 40.50 0.00 2.09 31.90 1.60

Aug 1.73 40.00 0.00 1.91 31.70 1.60

Sep 1.88 36.80 0.00 2.30 36.80 1.60

Oct 6.25 37.20 0.00 7.00 33.00 1.50

Nov 6.09 40.00 0.00 6.95 34.10 1.50

Dec 8.25 39.30 0.00 9.37 34.00 1.50

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5

Figure 1. Sample flow regime for November 2017 when hydroelectricity demand is high.

Figure 1 plots daily flows for Pollaphuca and Golden Falls during November 2017 illustrating

the episodic nature of the flows, particularly in winter.

Total flow through Golden Falls is 104,387,400 m3 per annum. The maximum volume of the

Reservoir measured in 2018/2019 was 804,464 m3 with an average of 522,135 m3 and a

minimum of 135,442 m3, the latter occurring in late April 2019. Water residence time is

calculated as total volume divided by the annual throughput flow. This gives turnover times

ranging from 1.8 days to 2.8 days, using maximum and average volumes, respectively. These

values are used in the Vollenweider model in the next section of this report.

Ambient Water Chemistry Data Data are available for Golden Falls for the period 2013 to May 2020 with up to 36 different

parameters measured routinely at one location in the water body, located close to the

discharge point of the Blessington WWTP. Sample data for more than 80 separate sample

dates are available over the period. A selection of parameters is graphed over time below –

including TP, TN, total ammonia, chlorophyll. The full dataset is included separately as

Appendix 1 – Golden Falls Chemistry Data.

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6

The mean TP concentration for Golden Falls over the period 2013 to May 2020 was 0.012

mg P/l. Measured values are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Total phosphorus concentrations in Golden Falls 2013 to 2020

Figure 3. Total nitrogen concentrations in Golden Falls 2013 to 2020.

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7

Figure 4. Total ammonia concentrations in Golden Falls 2013 to 2020.

Figure 5. Chlorophyll concentrations in Golden Falls 2013 to 2020

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8

TP concentrations (Figure 2) are relatively stable over the period averaging just over 0.01

mg/l. (It should be noted that two high values where the limit of detection (LOD) was at 0.12

mg/l are omitted when calculating this mean.)

TN concentrations (Figure 3) are somewhat more variable with a decline especially from

2016 to 2018 although increasing again in 2019. This is, in part at least, possibly related to

changes in total ammonia concentrations which are affected by the Blessington WWTP.

Total ammonia (Figure 4) shows a significant drop in concentration from 2016 on. This is

apparently due to the introduction of caustic dosing at the WWTP in August 2016 to reduce

the amount of ammonia being discharged from the plant. Table 2 shows an almost threefold

drop in the concentration of total ammonia in the reservoir following the introduction of the

improved process at the plant. While ammonia is a small fraction of the total nitrogen in the

water, there is, as expected, a strong relationship between the two (Figure 6). Total

ammonia dropped from 8% to 4% of the total nitrogen in the reservoir following the

improvement at the WWTP.

Table 2. Change in total ammonia concentrations in Golden Falls following improved ammonia control at Blessington WWTP.

Time Period Mean Total Ammonia (mg N/l) Mean Total Nitrogen (mg N/l)

Jan 2013 to July 2016 0.066 0.86

Aug 2016 to May 2020 0.027 0.77

Figure 6. Total Nitrogen v Total Ammonia in Golden Falls 2013 to 2020.

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9

Assessment of the Likely Current WFD Status/Ecological Potential of Golden Falls Ecological status has not yet been assigned to Golden Falls but there are sufficient data to

attempt such an assignment, at least for nutrient conditions. SI 77 of 2019 set out new

environmental quality standards (EQS) for TP and total ammonia for Irish lakes Table 3.

Total Phosphorus (mg P/l)

– High status if mean concentration is ≤ 0.010 mg P/l

– Good status if mean concentration is ≤ 0.025 mg P/l

Total Ammonia (mg N/l)

– High status ≤ 0.040 (mean) or ≤ 0.090 (95%ile)

– Good status ≤ 0.065 (mean) or ≤ 0.140 (95%ile)

Nutrient

River water body Lake

Transitional water

body (winter and

summer)

Coastal water body

(winter and

summer) conditions

Total Ammonia

High status ≤ 0.040 (mean) and ≤ 0.090 (95%ile)

(mg N/l) Good status ≤ 0.065 (mean) and ≤

0.140 (95%ile)

Dissolved

Inorganic

Nitrogen

(mg N/l)

High status

(0 psu (1))

≤ 1.0

High status (34.5 psu(1))

≤ 0.17

Good

status (0

psu (1))

≤ 2.6

Good status

(34.5 psu(1))

≤ 0.25

Molybdate

Reactive

Phosphorus

(MRP)

(mg P/l)

High status ≤

0.025 (mean) and

≤ 0.045 (95%ile)

Good status ≤

0.035 (mean) and

≤ 0.075 (95%ile)

High

Status (0-

17 psu (1))

≤ 0.030

(median)

(>17-

35psu(1))

≤ 0.030-

0.025

(median)

Good Status

(0-17 psu (1))

≤ 0.060

(median)

(>17-35psu(1))

≤ 0.060-0.040

(median)

Total

Phosphorus

(mg P/l)

High status ≤

0.010 (mean)

Good status

≤ 0.025

(mean)

Table 3. Total phosphorus and total ammonia standards for Irish lakes (SI 77 of 2019).

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10

Table 4 summarises the mean long-term concentrations of TP, TN, Total ammonia and

chlorophyll in Golden Falls.

Table 4. Mean concentrations of TP, TN, total ammonia & chlorophyll in Golden Falls 2013 to 2020.

Total Phosphorus (mg P/l)

Total Nitrogen (mg N/l)


Chlorophyll (↨µg/l)

0.012 0.81 0.046 3.2

The TP and total ammonia concentrations suggest that Golden Falls would achieve “Good

Status” for TP and ammonia as per the EQS set in SI 77 of 2019. The overall mean

chlorophyll concentration of 3.2 µg/l and growing season concentration (March to October)

of 3.92 µg/l would place the reservoir at high status for chlorophyll under SI 272 of 2009

which sets 5.8 or 6 µg/l as the threshold for “High Status” – the precise value depends on

the type of lake and similarly for “Good Status” thresholds of 9 or 10 µg/l are set.

Assessment of Likely Lake Trophic Status

Figure 7. The OECD fixed boundary system for classifying lake trophic status.

Under the OECD fixed boundary system (Figure 7), the TP and chlorophyll concentrations

place Golden Falls in the mesotrophic category. For TN the OECD open boundary system

also places the reservoir in the mesotrophic category with a geometric mean of 789 mg

N/m3 – i.e. in the band 485–1170 mg N/m3 (See Table 7.2 in OECD, (1982)).

A classification of mesotrophic trophic status is not in conflict with a WFD classification of

“Good Ecological Status”.

WWTP Discharge Concentrations Annual mean concentrations for the Blessington WWTP discharge are shown for a range of

parameters in Table 5 and some are plotted in Figure 8. The full dataset is given in Appendix

2 – Blessington WWTP Discharge and Influent Data.

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11

The drop in ammonia concentration in the discharge in the latter half of 2016 is apparent

and an associated drop in TN is also obvious. The peaks in TP, biochemical oxygen demand

(BOD) and suspended solids in 2018 are also obvious. This does not appear to be due to

changes in the loading to the plant.

Figure 8 . Annual mean concentrations for selected parameters measured in the discharge to Golden Falls from the Blessington WWTP – 2011 to 2020.

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12

Table 5. Discharge concentrations, as annual mean concentrations, from Blessington WWTP 2011 to 2020

Parameter

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Ammonia-Total (as N) (mg/l) 18.6 14.3 24.4 25.3 23.4 10.9 3.0 3.6 2.6 6.2

Biochemical Oxygen Demand BOD (mg/l) 17.2 10.6 8.9 2.0 3.0 2.1 10.8 12.6 9.4 4.9

Chemical Oxygen Demand COD-Cr (mg/l) 52 46 60 48 53 50 65 52 44 45

Conductivity @20°C µS/cm 773 666 726 803 769 761 898 1097 908 989 Nitrate (as N) (mg/l) 17.3 11.9 9.2 14.6 15.2 20.6 16.9 13.1

Nitrite (as N) (mg/l) 2.7 0.7 0.5 0.5 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.8 ortho-Phosphate (as P) (mg/l) 0.47 0.31 0.33 0.29 0.36 0.63 0.48 0.56 0.38 0.38

pH 6.8 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.7 7.7 Suspended Solids (mg/l) 9.9 11.8 11.8 12.8 13.8 15.9 33.0 40.8 24.8 11.3 Temperature °C 9.5 8.3 6.6 5.3 6.2 6.0 4.9

Total Nitrogen (mg N/l) 47.0 36.0 40.7 40.1 41.4 29.8 25.1 21.6 20.7 20.2 Total Phosphorus (mg P/l) 1.2 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.2 1.4 2.0 0.9 0.7

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13

Flow Data for Blessington WWTP Discharge Hydraulic load data for the discharge are available for 2018/2019 Figure 9. The mean flow is

915.88 m3/day. This value is used for mass-balancing the effluent into Golden Falls for the

current 6,000 PE level and it is assumed that a pro-rata increase will occur at the proposed

future 9,000 PE – i.e. 1,374 m3/day.

Figure 9. Effluent discharge flow rate from Blessington WWTP – 2018 to 2019.

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14

Modelling the Impact of the WWTP on Golden Falls Reservoir

Treating Golden Falls Reservoir as a Lake Vollenweider input-output models take the form of:

[𝑃]𝜆 = a[[𝑃]𝑗

√(1 + 𝑇𝑤)]^𝑏

Where [𝑃]𝜆 is the in-lake TP, [P]j is the inflowing TP mean concentration expressed as

mg/m3, Tw is the water residence time in years, and a and b are coefficients, multiplier and

exponent, respectively.

The OECD study looked at many lakes and reservoirs around the world and came up with a

series of equations as in Table 6.

Table 6. OECD Equations relating inlake TP to inflowing TP and turnover time

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15

Model Calibration for Golden Falls Total Phosphorus For Golden Falls, the relevant numbers were:

[𝑃]𝑗 = 10.36 mg/m3 (this is the mean value at the inflow at Pollaphuca Dam over 2012 to

2019, n=84) and for water residence time Tw = 0.0050 years (based on the average volume

of the reservoir) or Tw = 0.0077 years (based on maximum volume as discussed above).

The coefficients a and b were selected initially from the Combined OECD data model (1.55

and 0.82) in Table 6 and from the Shallow Lakes and Reservoirs model (1.02 and 0.88,

respectively). In a study of lakes in Northern Ireland, (Foy, 1992) it was concluded that the

OECD models tend to predict TP concentrations that were lower than observed and a

variation of the model was derived based on Northern Ireland lakes. The US EPA use similar

models to predict TP and TN in thousands of Northeastern lakes in the USA with a variety of

model structures and coefficients (Milstead et al., 2013). For Golden Falls, the coefficients

were adjusted to match the observed in-lake TP concentration using the GRG nonlinear

method in Microsoft Excel 16.0 Solver. Once calibrated the additional nutrient inputs from

the expanded WWTP (6,000 to 9,000PE) are introduced to the model and the new in-lake TP

is calculated.

The observed in-lake [TP]𝜆 is 12.16 mg/m3 (mean concentration for 2013 to 2020, n=81).

OECD Combined Model Prediction

[TP]λ = 1.55 X 0.82, where X = [TP]j/(1 + √𝑇𝑤) and Tw = 0.005 years.

This predicts in-lake TP of 9.97 mg P/l compared with the actual 12.16 mg P/l.

Shallow Lakes and Reservoirs Model Prediction


This predicts in-lake TP of 7.51 mg P/m3 which is significantly poorer than the combined

model.

Adjusted Golden Falls Model

The parameters were adjusted using Solver as described above to give an optimised set of

coefficients:

[TP]λ = 1.534 X 0.912, where X = [TP]j/(1 + √𝑇𝑤) and Tw = 0.005 years. (Eqn. 1)

This predicts in-lake TP of 12.16 mg P/m3 – matching the observed value very closely. This

model is then taken as the calibrated model and used to predict future impact on the lake.

Predicting the Impact of the expanded Blessington WWTP on Golden Falls The calibrated model above incorporates the current discharge from the WWTP equivalent

to 6,000 PE.

The increase to 9,000 PE is assumed to result in a pro-rata increase in the hydraulic load

discharged from 916 m3/day to 1,374 m3/day. The discharge concentrations are assumed to

remain steady at the ELVs of 1 mg P/l and 5 mg/l N for ammonia as per ELVs shown in Table

7.

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Table 7. Current ELVs and future predicted compliance with licence conditions.

Parameter Units ELVs in EPA

Licence D0063-01

Final effluent quality standards achieved upon completion of

the upgrade BOD mg/l 20 20

COD mg/l 125 125

Suspended Solids mg/l 30 30

Ammonia mg/l 5.0 5.0

ortho-Phosphate mg/l 1.0 1.0

The increase in input TP is calculated by mass balancing the additional discharge load into

the minimum flow of 1.5 m3/s into the reservoir rather than taking an average flow – this is

a conservative worst-case scenario approach but is warranted in that growth conditions are

optimal in the summer months when hydroelectricity demand is less than in the winter and

flows are generally lower.

The mass-balance equation predicting the new inflowing TP arising from the increased TP

load from the WWTP is:

[P]j = (f*c + F*C)/(f+F)

Where f is the added flow from the WWTP discharge (0.0053 m3/s) and F is the main flow

from the Pollaphuca Dam (1.5 m3/s). TP concentrations are represented by c and C with c =

1.0 mg P/l and C = 10.36 mg P/m3. This gives

[P]j = 13.84 mg P/l.

Thus, the additional 3,000 PE equivalent for TP increases the input TP [P]j to 13.84 mg P/m3

(up from 10.36 mg P/m3).

When this new [P]j concentration is entered into the calibrated Golden Falls model equation

(Eqn. 1) the in-lake TP is given by:


i.e.

[TP]λ = 16.82 mg P/m3.

This represents an increase of 4.66 mg P/m3 in the mean TP concentration of the reservoir

or 0.0047 mg P/l.

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Table 8 . Predicted change in annual mean TP in Golden Falls

TP (mg/l Resulting In-Lake TP (mg/l) Mean Inflowing TP (6,000 PE) 0.01036 0.0126 Mean Inflowing TP (9,000 PE) 0.01384 0.0168 Predicted Increase: 0.0047

Model Calibration for Golden Falls Total Nitrogen (TN) A similar approach to that for TP is taken for predicting the incremental TN concentration in

Golden Falls following the increase from 6,000 to 9,000 PE at Blessington WWTP.

OECD Models

The Combined OECD model has the following form:

[TN]λ = 5.34 X 0.78, where X = [TN]j/(1 + √𝑇𝑤) and Tw = 0.005 years.

The inflowing TN concentration, [TN]j, is 729.55 mg N/m3 (the mean for the period 2013 to

2020, n=84).

The above OECD equation predicts an in-lake [TN]λ of 866 mg/m3 and a slight modification

predicts 832 mg N/m3. Both predictions are greater than the observed mean TN

concentration of 817 mg N/m3 in the reservoir for the 2013–2020 period.

Adjusted Golden Falls Model

The parameters were adjusted using Solver as described for the TP models to give an

optimised set of coefficients:

[TN]λ = 2.751 X 0.873, where X = [TN]j/(1 + √𝑇𝑤) and Tw = 0.005 years. (Eqn 2.)

This predicts in-lake TN of 817.83 mg P/m3 – matching the observed value very closely. This

model is then taken as the calibrated model and used to predict future impact on the lake.

Predicting the Impact of the expanded Blessington WWTP on Golden Falls Like the TP models, this calibrated TN model incorporates the current discharge from the

WWTP equivalent to 6,000 PE.

The increase to 9,000 PE is assumed to result in a pro-rata increase in the hydraulic load

discharged from 916 m3/day to 1,374 m3/day. The discharge concentrations are assumed to

remain steady at an ELV of 5 mg/l N for ammonia as per ELVs shown in Table 7. The OECD

fixed boundary system uses TN rather than ammonia, so it is necessary to use the discharge

TN concentration when mass-balancing the additional load from the WWTP. The current TN

discharge concentration is ~ 20 mg N/l, corresponding to 5 mg/l N for ammonia and thus,

this TN value is appropriate for mass-balancing the additional 3,000 PE load into the

receiving water body. This gives an inflow TN concentration, [TN]j of 797.41 mg N/m3. This

value is inserted into the calibrated model (Eqn. 2) and predicts an in-lake [TN]λ

concentration of 883.86 mg N/m3, which is an increase of 66.02 mg N/m3 or 0.066 mg N/l.

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Table 9. Predicted change in annual mean TN in Golden Falls

Prediction of Chlorophyll Levels in Golden Falls The combined OECD model for predicting chlorophyll from flushing-corrected TP is of the

form:

Chl = 0.37 X 0.79, where X = [TP]j/(1 + √𝑇𝑤)

The mean chlorophyll for the period 2013 to 2020 in Golden Falls Reservoir was 3.21 µg/l.

The combined model predicted mean chlorophyll of 2.22 µg/l. The OECD Nordic model with

multiplier coefficient, a = 0.51, and exponent coefficient, b = 0.81 predicted mean

chlorophyll of 3.21 matching the observed concentration very closely. A Solver version gave

an even closer match (a = 0.5050 and b = 0.8150) and this was used to assess the increased

inflowing TP on chlorophyll levels in the reservoir giving

Chl = 0.5050 X 0.8150, where X = [TP]j/(1 + √𝑇𝑤)

with [TP]j = 13.84 mg/m3.

Resultant chlorophyll is predicted to increase from 3.21 to 4.07 µg/l – an increase of 0.86 in

mean annual chlorophyll.

Table 10. Predicted change in annual mean chlorophyll in golden Falls.

TP (mg/l Resulting In-Lake Chlorophyll (µg/l)

Mean Inflowing TP (6,000 PE) 0.01036 3.21 Mean Inflowing TP (9,000 PE) 0.01384 4.07

Predicted Increase: 0.86

Classification of Golden Falls Reservoir

Classification under WFD EQS based on SI 77 of 2019 and SI 272 of 2009

A comparison of the concentrations of TP, TN and chlorophyll as observed in recent years

versus predicted future situation, following an increase from 6,000 PE to 9,000 PE is made

below and used to determine any potential impact on WFD status. Table 11 shows likely

current ecological status and predicts future status following the upgrade at the WWTP. In

all cases no change is predicted with “Good Status” for nutrients and “High Status” retained

for chlorophyll. Note that the current total ammonia is based on data for June 2016 to May

2020 and the future 9,000 PE is based on 4% of predicted TN for the same period (0.884 mg

N/l).

TN (mg/l Resulting In-Lake TN (mg/l)

Mean Inflowing TN (6,000 PE) 0.729 0.817 Mean Inflowing TN (9,000 PE) 0.797 0.884 Predicted Increase: 0.066

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Table 11. Likely Ecological Status for Golden Falls Reservoir under Water Framework Directive.

TP

(mg P/l)

WFD1 Status

Chl (µg/l)

WFD2 Status


WFD3 Status

TN (mg N/l)

WFD4 Status

Current (@ 6,000

PE) 0.0126 Good

3.21 (3.29

Mar-Oct) High 0.027 High 0.817 -

Future (@ 9,000

PE) 0.0168 Good 4.07 High 0.035 High 0.884 -

WFD Thresholds for High & Good Status in Irish Lakes 1 TP (mg P/l) High status ≤ 0.010 (mean) & Good status ≤ 0.025 (mean) 2 Chl High status <5.8 or 6 µg/l depending on lake type & < 9 or 10 µg/l depending on lake type (Mar-Oct) 3 Total Ammonia (mg N/l) High status = 0.040 (mean) and = 0.090 (95%ile) & Good status = 0.065 (mean) and =

0.140 (95%ile) 4 WFD EQS thresholds for TN have not yet been set for Irish lakes or reservoirs.

Classification of Trophic Status based on OECD 1982 thresholds

Table 12 compares current and predicted future trophic status in Golden Falls for nutrients

TP and TN and for chlorophyll. In all cases a classification of mesotrophic is assigned with no

change of status predicted.

Table 12. Likely Trophic Status under OECD (1982) Fixed Boundary system Classification.

TP

(mg P/l) Trophic Status1

Chl (µg/l)

Trophic Status2 TN

(mg N/l) Trophic Status3

Current (@ 6,000 PE)

0.0126 Mesotrophic 3.21 Mesotrophic 0.817 Mesotrophic

Future (@ 9,000 PE)

0.0168 Mesotrophic 4.07 Mesotrophic 0.884 Mesotrophic

1 OECD 1982 Trophic Status under Fixed Boundary System

2, 3 See Figure 7 for TP and chlorophyll bands and accompanying text for TN classification

Conclusions Increasing the concentration of TP in Golden Falls from 0.0126 mg P/l to 0.0168 mg P/l

should not alter the ecological status or ecological potential of the Golden Falls Reservoir as

it remains in the ‘Good’ status band as set out in SI 77 of 2019, i.e. between 0.10 and 0.025

mg P/l. Similarly, mean total ammonia will remain below the 0.065 mg/l and likewise the

95%ile for total ammonia should remain below the 0.140 mg/l EQS in SI 272 of 2009

(current 95%ile value is ~0.07 mg/l). Chlorophyll levels are predicted to increase from the

current 3.21 µg/l to 4.07 µg/l. The growing season chlorophyll EQS for high status is 5.8 or 6

µg/l depending on lake type and Golden Falls is likely to remain below this.

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Comparing the current and predicted levels against the OECD trophic status categories gives

a similar picture with TP, TN and chlorophyll, all remaining within the bands defining

mesotrophic status as set out in Figure 7 above.

References Foy, R. H. (1992). A phosphorus loading model for Northern Irish Lakes. Water Res., 26, 633–

638.

Milstead, W. B., Hollister, J. W., Moore, R. B., & Walker, H. A. (2013). Estimating Summer Nutrient Concentrations in Northeastern Lakes from SPARROW Load Predictions and Modeled Lake Depth and Volume. PLoS ONE, 8(11: e81457), 15. https://doi.org/:10.1371/journal.pone.0081457

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). (1982). Eutrophication of Waters. Monitoring Assessment and Control. Final Report. OECD Cooperative Programme on Monitoring of Inland Waters (Eutrophication Control). OECD, Paris. Paris.

SI 77 of 2019. European Union Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) (Amendment)

Regulations 2019

Dataset Appendices

Appendix 1 – Golden Falls Chemistry Data

Appendix 2 – Blessington WWTP Discharge and Influent Data

These are supplied as separate Excel files.

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