Laois County Council RECEIVING WATER IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Receiving Water Impact Assessment: Ballybrittas WwTP ------

Laois County Council

RECEIVING WATER IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Ballybrittas WwTP

DRAFT: December 2009 For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.

Prepared on behalf of:

WATER SERVICES LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL County Hall Portlaoise Co. Laois

Tait Business Centre, Dominic Street, Limerick City, Ireland. t. +353 61 419477, f. +353 61 414315 e. [email protected] w. www.ecofact.ie

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This is a receiving water impact assessment report for the Ballybrittas Waste water Treatment Plant (WwTP). It has been prepared under Section F of the Environmental Protection Agencies Waste Water Discharge Licensing Application Guidance Note. This report was prepared during the period November to December 2009 on behalf of Laois County Council by ECOFACT Environmental Consultants Ltd.

The current study was based on information compiled during a desk study and a site visit. Information compiled during the desk study included water quality monitoring information supplied by the EPA and Laois County Council, along with information on areas designated for nature conservation obtained from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). An on- site assessment of the Ballybrittas WwTP was carried out during November 2009 to establish the ground conditions and the location of the discharge from the plant, with respect to receiving waters identified within the vicinity of the village.

The current assessment has identified that there are currently no direct impacts to surface waters arising from the WwTP at Ballybrittas, as this plant is discharging to ground, via a percolation area directly adjacent to the plant.

In the absence of monitoring data for the influent, effluent, groundwater or potential receiving surface waters, it is not possible to draw concise conclusions regarding the impacts arising from the WwTP at Ballybrittas.

The overall conclusion of the Article 6 screening matrix was that the continued operation of the existing Ballybrittas WwTP would not affect the unnamed stream or any element of the River Nore and Barrow SAC provided it continues to operate within the current parameters.

It is recommended that a monitoring programme be establish at this treatment plant to establish the discharge rates and efficacy of the percolation treatment prior to entry into ground water in the Cushina groundwater body.

It is recommended that a discharge licence be granted for the plant.

For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 4

1.1 BACKGROUND ...... 4 1.2 LEGISLATION...... 4 1.3 METHODOLOGY ...... 5 1.3.1 Desktop Review ...... 5 1.3.2 Field Survey Work ...... 5 1.3.3 Assessment Methodology...... 5 1.4 CONSULTATION ...... 7 2. SCHEME DESCRIPTION ...... 7

2.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 7 2.3 DISCHARGE STANDARDS ...... 7 3. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT ...... 8

3.1 CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION ...... 8 3.2 WATER QUALITY...... 8 3.2.1 Existing information ...... 8 3.2.4 Assimilation capacity ...... 9 3.4 AREAS DESIGNATED FOR NATURE CONSERVATION ...... 9 3.5 PROTECTED AQUATIC FLORA AND FAUNA ...... 9 3.6 DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ...... 9 3.7 WATER ABSTRACTIONS ...... 9 3.8 DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL AND BATHING WATERS ...... 9 3.9 DESIGNATED NUTRIENT SENSITIVE AREAS ...... 10 4. IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 10

4.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 10 4.2 IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY ...... 10 4.3 IMPACT ON AREAS DESIGNATED FOR NATURE CONSERVATION ...... 10 4.5 IMPACT ON FISHERIES ...... 11 4.6 IMPACT ON WATER ABSTRACTIONS ...... 11 4.7 IMPACT ON DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL AREASFor inspection ...... purposes only...... 11 Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 4.8 IMPACT ON DESIGNATED NUTRIENT SENSITIVE AREAS ...... 11 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 11 REFERENCES ...... 12 WWW.OSI.IE ...... 12 PLATES ...... 13 APPENDIX 1 MAP OF BALLYBRITTAS AND LOCATION OF WWTP SITE ...... 14 APPENDIX 2 SCREENING MATRIX FOR THE BALLYBRITTAS WWTP ...... 15

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

This report provides a Receiving Water Impact Assessment for the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WwTP) serving Ballybrittas Village, Co Laois. Ballybrittas is a small village in the northeast of County Laois, and is located on the former N7 (Regional Road R445). The village is now bypassed to the south by the M7/M8 Motorway (Heath Mayfield By-pass). According to the 2006 Census Report, Ballybrittas has a population of 768. Ballyshaneduff also known as Derris Wood a proposed Natural Hertiage Area (pNHA) under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 is located approximately 1km south of the village of Ballybrittas. The waste water treatment scheme serving Ballybrittas village is located immediately off the N7 at the right hand side of the entrance to The Cottage Collection – Rian Furniture warehouse, at the back of a Council Housing Estate (Grid ref. E257760, N206910, Plate 1).

The purpose of the report is to assess whether the existing waste water discharge(s) from the plant in Ballybrittas is having a significant adverse impact on the receiving waters, or any Natura 2000 Site. This report was prepared during the period November to December 2009 by Ecofact Environmental Consultants Ltd. on behalf of the Water Services Section of Laois County Council.

1.2 Legislation

The current report was prepared with consideration to the following water quality legislation:-

European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009 (SI 272 of 2009). Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 (SI No. 684 of 2007); Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 254 of 2001); European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations, 2003 (SI No. 722) implementing the Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC. Water Policy Regulations (S.I. No. 722 of 2003) and Water Policy Regulations (Amendment) (S.I. No. 413 of 2005) implementing the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC); Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 (Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus) Regulations, 1998. For inspection (S.I. purposes No. only. 258 of 1998), and Local Government Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Act, 1990. (Act No. 21 of 1990); European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, 1988 (S.I. No. 293 of 1988) implementing Freshwater Fish Directive (78/659/EEC); Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations, 1992, and Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations (Amendment), 1996. (implementing Bathing Water Directive, 76/160/EEC); Water Quality (Dangerous Substances) Regulations, 2001.(Implementing the Dangerous Substances Directive, 76/464/EEC); Protection of Groundwater Regulations, 1999. (S.I. No. 41 of 1999); Water Quality (Dangerous Substances) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 12 of 2001).

In addition, cognisance was also taken of the following legislation relating to nature conservation and fisheries:-

The European Communities (Natural Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 378/2005), The European Communities (Natural Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 233/1998), and the European Community (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 94/1997) (implementing Council Directives 92/43/EEC and 97/62/EC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora); Wildlife Act, 1976 (S.I. No. 39 of 1976) and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 (S.I. No. 71 of 2001);

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Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, (S.I. No. 23 of 1997) and Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959 (S.I. No. 14 of 1959); The EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC).

1.3 Methodology

This report has been prepared under the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007, using Section F of the Environmental Protection Agencies Waste Water Discharge Licensing Application Guidance Note (EPA, 2008).

1.3.1 Desktop Review

A desktop review was carried out to identify features of surface water importance within the study area and surrounding region. A review of areas designated for nature conservation was carried out by consulting the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). These included Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas for birds (both internationally important) and proposed Natural Heritage Areas (of national importance). The locations of any designated salmonid waters, recreational and bathing waters and nutrient sensitive areas within the study area were identified though consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Likewise the presence of any important recreational or commercial fisheries was identified through consultation with the Southern Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB).

Technical files and previous reports prepared for the WwTP were supplied by Laois County Council where available, for review in the current assessment.

A review of the published literature, including the Laois County Development Plan 2006-2012, was undertaken in order to collate data on the receiving environment, including aquatic species and habitats of conservation concern in the study area. A range of additional sources of information including scientific reports produced by, and information on the websites of the EPA, NPWS, Laois County Council and other agencies were also reviewed. A full bibliography of information sources reviewed is given in the references section. Ordinance Survey Maps and OS aerial photographs were also reviewed during the desk assessment.

1.3.2 Field Survey Work

An on-site assessment of the Ballybrittas For inspection WwTP purposes was only. carried out during November 2009 to establish the ground conditionsConsent and ofthe copyright location owner requiredof the for discharge any other use. from the plant, with respect to receiving waters identified within the vicinity of the village.

1.3.3 Assessment Methodology

Impact significance is a combined function of the value of the affected feature (its water quality, fisheries or aquatic ecology importance), the type of impact and the magnitude of the impact. It is therefore necessary to identify the value of surface water features within the study area in order to evaluate the significance and magnitude of possible impacts. To achieve this, the results of the desk and field assessment were evaluated to determine the significance of identified features located in the study area on an importance scale, ranging from international-national-county-local. The criteria used are shown in Table 1.

The means of assessing impact significance was based on the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management‟s “Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom” (IEEM, 2006) and the EPA‟s “Waste Water Discharge Licensing Application Guidance Note” (EPA, 2008). The significance of impacts was assessed on a combined basis of the value of the feature being affected and the magnitude of the impact. According to the EPA (2008), a discharge from a WwTP would be considered to have a significant adverse effect on the receiving waters if it were to:-

Cause a deterioration in the chemical status or ecological status (or ecological potential as the case may be) in the receiving body of surface water;

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Cause a deterioration in the chemical status in the receiving body of groundwater; Cause the input into groundwater of hazardous substances, except where it is established that the input concerned is in a quantity and concentration so small as to obviate any present or future danger of deterioration in the quality of the receiving groundwater; Cause deterioration or result in significant and sustained upward trends in the concentrations of pollutants in groundwater in the case of pollutants that are not hazardous, Permanently exclude or compromise the achievement of the objectives established for protected species and natural habitats in the case of European sites where the maintenance or improvement of the status of water is an important factor in their protection or which is inconsistent with the achievement of environmental quality standards established under national Regulations in relation to designated bathing waters, designated shellfish waters, areas designated for the protection of freshwater fish and areas designated.

An Appropriate Assessment (Stage 1, Screening Assessment) has been completed and is presented in Appendix 2. The Appropriate Assessment was prepared following the guidance documents:-

EPA (2009) Waste Water Discharge Licensing Appropriate Assessment Guidance Notes. Notes on Appropriate Assessments for the purposes of the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007) Environmental Protection Agency, Co. Wexford. European Commission (2001). Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites: Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. European Commission Environment DG.

The findings of the Receiving Water Impact Assessment were used in used in completing the Appropriate Assessment.

Table 1 Criteria used in assessing the importance of surface water features (taken from NRA 2004) Rating Qualifying Criteria A Internationally Important Sites designated (or qualifying for designation) as SAC* or SPA* under the EU Habitats or Birds Directives. Undesignated sites containing good examples of Annex I priority habitats under the EU Habitats Directive. For inspection purposes only. Major salmon river fisheriesConsent of copyright owner required for any other use. Major salmonid lake fisheries. B Nationally Important Sites or waters designated or proposed as an NHA* or statutory Nature Reserves. Undesignated sites containing good examples of Annex I habitats (under EU Habitats Directive). Undesignated sites containing significant numbers of resident or regularly occurring populations of Annex II species under the EU habitats Directive or Annex I species under the EU Birds Directive or species protected under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. Major trout river fisheries. Water bodies with major amenity value. Commercially important coarse fisheries. C High Value, Locally Important Sites containing semi-natural habitat types with high biodiversity in a local context and a high degree of naturalness, or significant populations of locally rare species. Small water bodies with known salmonid populations or with good potential salmonid habitat. Sites containing any resident or regularly occurring populations of Annex II species under the EU habitats Directive or Annex I species under the EU Birds Directive. Large water bodies with some coarse fisheries. D Moderate Value, Locally Important Sites containing some semi-natural habitat or locally important for wildlife. Small water bodies with some coarse fisheries value or some potential salmonid habitat. Any water body with unpolluted water (Q-value 4-5). E Low Value, Locally Important Artificial of highly modified habitats with low species diversity and low wildlife value. Water bodies with no current fisheries value and no significant potential fisheries value.

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1.4 Consultation

Preparation of this report included consultation with the following agencies and state bodies:-

Laois County Council (Laois Co. Co.); National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Southern Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB); South Eastern River Basin District Office (SERBDO); Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR); Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI); Geological Society of Ireland (GSI).

2. SCHEME DESCRIPTION

2.1 Introduction

Water supply to Ballybrittas village is from two boreholes located in the vicinity of Killenard which utilise an existing reservoir. The water supply in Ballybrittas is therefore shared with Killenard and Portarlington and is pumped from Ballybrittas to Portarlington. The waste water scheme in Ballybrittas is managed by an outside contractor EPS Pumping and Treatment systems which also manages three other schemes in County Laois. The waste water treatment scheme serving the village of Ballybrittas operates by use of a septic tank. A photographic outline of the scheme is included in the plates section. The septic tank is located behind a Council Housing Estate at the right hand side of the entrance to The Cottage Collection – Rian Furniture warehouse which is located ca 1km west of the N7. The septic tank is connected to the percolation area by means of three percolation pipes. The percolation pipes cross the entry of an industrial building to the right hand side of The Cottage Collection – Rian Furniture warehouse. There was one pipe brought across to the manhole and 300mm of stone was placed under 100mm perforated land drains with membrane over pipes. The crown of the pipes is 300mm below ground and this was made up with backfill. The waste water treatment scheme that serves Ballybrittas does not discharge directly to a watercourse but percolates to groundwater.

2.3 Discharge Standards For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.

The requirements of Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC for treatment plants serving more than 2000 population equivalent are:

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) 25 mg/l O2 Chemical Oxygen Demand 125 mg/l O2 Suspended Solids (p.e. >10 000) 35 mg/l Suspended Solids (p.e. 2000 - 10 000) 60 mg/l

The following additional requirements apply for discharges to areas that are deemed to be sensitive:

Total Phosphorus (10 000 – 100 000 p.e.) 2 mg/l Total Phosphorus (over 100 000 p.e.) 1 mg/l Total Nitrogen (10 000 – 100 000 p.e.) 15 mg/l Total Nitrogen (over 100 000 p.e.) 10 mg/l

During the preparation of the current report, no monitoring data for volumes of influent or effluent discharge were available from Laois County Council for the WwTP at Ballybrittas. No groundwater monitoring data for the operation of the plant was available.

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3. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Catchment Description

Ballybrittas village is located on the former N7 (Regional Road R445). There are no streams or river courses flowing through or adjacent to the village of Ballybrittas or the treatment plant that serves Ballybrittas village. However approximately 1.5km - 2 km to the east of the village, a 1st order stream, which originates in the townland of Graigavern, flows south east into the River Barrow. The confluence of this unnamed stream and the River Barrow is approximately 7km south east of the Ballybrittas WwTP. To the south of Ballybrittas, lies Rathdaire Lake, this is a nine-acre lake set within Derries Wood 5km east of the N7 between Monasterevin and Portlaoise.

The geology of the catchment is visean argillaceous and cherty limestone and shales. A small amount of Blanket Peat (BktPt) occurs. Soils in the catchment are mostly Basic Grey Brown Podzolics / Brown Earths (BminDW) and Basic Surface water Gleys. There is some Mineral Alluvium (AlluvMIN) at higher elevations along the village. According to the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), Ballybrittas is located in an area with locally important aquifer bedrock which is moderately productive only in local zones.

Ballybrittas WwTP

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Figure 1 Ordnance Survey map of the Ballybrittas region.

3.2 Water quality

3.2.1 Existing information

There is no EPA biological or chemical monitoring data available for the unnamed stream which confluences with the River Barrow approximately 7km south east of the Ballybrittas WwTP. According to the EPA a welcome improvement in water quality was noted in the macroinvertebrate fauna at Pass Bridge (EPA code 14/B/01/1000) in Monasterevin and downstream near Fisherstown (EPA code 14/B/01/1300). This latter monitoring station is approximately 1.5km upstream of the Barrow river confluence with the unnamed stream and had a Q4 „good ecological status‟ in 2005. Downstream of the confluence, Dunrally Bridge (EPA code 14/B/01/1400) was not monitored in 2005 however this station achieved a Q4 „good ecological status‟ rating in 2003. Further downstream, Bert Bridge (EPA code 14/B/01/1500) was monitored in 2005 and achieved a rating of Q3-4 „moderate ecological status‟. ______www.ecofact.ie 8

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3.2.1.4 Laois County Council Monitoring Data

During the preparation of the current report there was no biological or chemical water quality data available from Laois County Council for the groundwater receiving environment within the catchment of the Ballybrittas WwTP. The Water Framework Directive Article 5 Risk Assessment and Characterisation report for the groundwater catchment (Cushina catchment) in which Ballybrittas WwTP is situated has identified the groundwater within this area to be of good status and the overall risk as 1b „possibly at risk of not achieving good status‟. Likewise the ground water vulnerability in the area surrounding Ballybrittas WwTP is moderate to high, with extreme vulnerability being reached to the North of Ballybrittas village (GSI online dataset). According to the WFD watermaps, the overall assessment of the hydrometric area which includes Ballybrittas is „probably not at risk‟ (WFD Watermaps online).

3.2.4 Assimilation capacity

In the absence of flow data there is no assimilation capacity modeling available for this plant. However, as the current groundwater situation indicates good status overall, it is expected that the WwTP at Ballybrittas is not compromising the assimilation capacity of the groundwater body with ongoing operation.

3.4 Areas designated for nature conservation

The existing WwTP at Ballybrittas is located within 2km of a designated conservation site. The WwTP is located 1km North of Ballyshaneduff Woodland also called „The Derries‟. This is a proposed Natural Hertiage Area (pNHA). The River Barrow and Nore SAC is located approximately 7km south east of the Ballybrittas WwTP. Discharged effluent from the Ballybrittas WwTP could reach the unnamed stream and subsequently the SAC site via seepage or surface recharge. However the quantity and quality of discharged effluent together with buffering is such that negative impacts on the SAC are insignificant.

3.5 Protected aquatic flora and fauna

There are no direct connections between the ongoing discharge to groundwater from the Ballybrittas WwTP and protected flora and/or fauna. There is no data available to indicate whether the existing plant may be having an impact on the ecological status of the pNHA or the SAC. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.

3.6 Designated Recreational and Commercial fisheries

Rathdaire Lake (located to the southeast of Ballybrittas) is a prime location for carp, hybrids, bream, perch and rudd fishing. However there are no direct interactions between the Ballybrittas WwTP which discharges to a percolation area at Ballybrittas village and any recreational or commercial fisheries associated with surface waters.

3.7 Water abstractions

There is one water abstraction point approximately 5km to the west of Ballybrittas village in the townland of Doolough east of the R419 Regional Road between Portarlington and Emo village.

3.8 Designated recreational and bathing waters

There are no designated recreational or bathing waters associated with the Ballybrittas WwTP which discharges to groundwater (EPA Envision).

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3.9 Designated nutrient sensitive areas

The nearest nutrient sensitive area to the Ballybrittas WwTP is the River Barrow main channel, located approximately seven kilometers south east of Ballybrittas village.

4. IMPACT ASSESSMENT

4.1 Introduction

According to the EPA (2008), a discharge from a WwTP would be considered to have a significant adverse effect on the receiving waters if it were to:-

Cause a deterioration in the chemical status or ecological status (or ecological potential as the case may be) in the receiving body of surface water; Cause a deterioration in the chemical status in the receiving body of groundwater; Cause the input into groundwater of hazardous substances, except where it is established that the input concerned is in a quantity and concentration so small as to obviate any present or future danger of deterioration in the quality of the receiving groundwater; Cause deterioration or result in significant and sustained upward trends in the concentrations of pollutants in groundwater in the case of pollutants that are not hazardous, Permanently exclude or compromise the achievement of the objectives established for protected species and natural habitats in the case of European sites where the maintenance or improvement of the status of water is an important factor in their protection or which is inconsistent with the achievement of environmental quality standards established under national Regulations in relation to designated bathing waters, designated shellfish waters, areas designated for the protection of freshwater fish and designated nutrient sensitive areas.

4.2 Impact on water quality

The operation of the existing WwTP at Ballybrittas is currently discharging to a percolation area which is adjacent to the N7 national road to the east of Ballybrittas village. There is For inspection purposes only. currently no monitoring data forConsent the of copyright discharge owner required from thefor any Ballybrittas other use. plant and therefore no proper assessment of impacts to groundwater quality can be made.

In terms of indirect impacts there is currently no monitoring data available to assess whether the Ballybrittas WwTP is having an impact on surface water quality; according to the WFD Watermaps and the GSI dataset, the status of the groundwater in the study area is „good‟ and the groundwater vulnerability in this area is moderate, therefore the Ballybrittas WwTP is unlikely to be having an adverse impact on the surrounding catchment of Ballybrittas (i.e. the stream to the south east of the plant).

4.3 Impact on areas designated for nature conservation

There is no available data to suggest that the Ballybrittas WwTP is having an impact on any designated conservation site. The current operation of the plant discharges to a percolation area and then to groundwater. Seepage or surface recharge may occur and thus have a negative impact on the unnamed stream to the east of the plant which is a tributary of the River Barrow. However in the absence of an adequate assessment of the groundwater path it is considered that there would be no impacts to the River Barrow and Nore SAC or Ballyshaneduff Woodland pNHA.

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4.5 Impact on fisheries

The discharge to groundwater infers that there are no direct impacts affecting fisheries. Water courses within the vicinity of Ballybrittas village are limited to a 1st order stream to the east of the village and Rathdaire Lake to the south east located within Ballyshaneduff woodlands. The stream is likely to be of negligible fisheries importance, while the Rathdaire Lake is of fisheries importance. The latter is not likely to be impacted by the discharge from Ballybrittas WwTP due to the distance from the WwTP and due to the fact that the discharge percolates to groundwater.

4.6 Impact on water abstractions

The WwTP at Ballybrittas would not have any impact on the drinking water abstraction point located west of the WwTP in the townland of Doolough, as the groundwater path of this treatment plant is likely to following the contours of the land which is in a south easterly direction from the Ballybrittas WwTP.

4.7 Impact on designated recreational areas

There are no groundwater or surface water recreational areas within the local or wider area of the Ballybrittas WwTP and in the absence of flow data or monitoring data for the effluent from the plant it is considered that there would be no impacts to any designated recreational site due to geographic distance from the existing discharge and percolation area.

4.8 Impact on designated nutrient sensitive areas

The River Barrow is designated as a nutrient sensitive area and is located approximately seven kilometers to the south east of Ballybrittas village. Taking account of the size of the WwTP at Ballybrittas and the distance to the River Barrow, via groundwater it is considered that any impacts to the River Barrow nutrient sensitive water course would be imperceptible.

5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The current assessment has identified that there are currently no direct impacts to surface waters arising from the WwTP at Ballybrittas, For inspection purposes as this only. plant is discharging to ground, via a Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. percolation area directly adjacent to the plant.

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REFERENCES

General references

Clenaghan, D. (2003). Phosphorus Regulations National Implementation Report, 2003. Under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 (Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus) Regulations, 1998 (S.I. 258 of 1998). Environmental Protection Agency.

EPA (2001) Parameters of Water Quality – Interpretation and Standards. Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland.

EPA (2008) Waste Water Discharge Licensing Guidance Notes, Environmental Proctection Agency, Wexford.

European Commission (1999) Interpretation manual of European Union Habitats Eur 15/2. EC DG Environment, Brussels.

European Commission (2001). Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites: Methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6(3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. European Commission Environment DG.

Websites accessed www.npws.ie (also: http://www.designatednatureareas.ie/mapviewer) www.wfd.ie (also: http://193.1.208.39/NsShare_Web/Viewer.aspx?Site=NsShare&ReloadKey=True) www.epa.ie (also: http://maps.epa.ie/InternetMapViewer/mapviewer.aspx?indicatorgroup=rwquality) www.gsi.ie (also: http://spatial.dcenr.gov.ie/imf/imf.jsp?site=GSI_Simple) www.opw.ie (also: http://www.opw.ie/hydro/index.asp) For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. www.osi.ie (also: http://www.osi.ie/) www.srfb.ie (also:http://www.srfb.ie/about/index.html) www.laois.ie (also: http://www.laois.ie/EnvironmentandWater/) (also: http://www.laois.ie/LeisureandCulture/Heritage/HeritagePublications/) (also:http://www.laois.ie/Planning/DevelopmentPlans/VillagePlans/BallybrittasVillagePlan/)

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PLATES

Plate 1 Council Housing Estate which is served by the Ballybrittas WwTP and is located behind the WwTP, off the N7 National Road.

For inspection purposes only. Plate 2 Septic tank located behindConsent the of Councilcopyright owner Housing required Estate,for any other which use. connects to the percolation area by means of three percolation pipes.

Plate 3 Percolation area located directly across from the septic tank at the south west side of the entrance to The Cottage Collection – Rian Furniture warehouse which is located ca 0.5km west of the N7.

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Appendix 1 Map of Ballybrittas and location of WwTP site

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Appendix 2 Screening Matrix for the Ballybrittas WwTP Screening matrix – Ballybrittas WwTP Brief description of the project or plan Continuation of operation of the existing Waste water treatment plant (WwTP) at Ballybrittas, Co. Laois. The WwTP operates by use of a septic tank. Effluent from the WwTP is discharged to a percolation area located in a field adjacent to the septic tank. Brief description of the Natura 2000 site The Ballybrittas WwTP and percolation area is approximately 6.5 km north west of the boundary of the River Barrow and River Nore SAC site. The Ballybrittas treatment plant is located approximately 2 km west of a stream that flows to the SAC. The River Barrow and River Nore SAC site is selected for a range of protected aquatic species including lampreys, otter, white-clawed crayfish, Atlantic salmon, and freshwater pearl mussel (key aquatic features of the site). Assessment criteria Describe the individual elements of the Ongoing percolation from the existing Ballybrittas WwTP would not project (either alone or in combination with have a negative impact on the River Barrow. The discharge of this other plans or projects) likely to give rise to treatment plant is to groundwater and no obvious link exists between impacts on the Natura 2000 site. the percolation area and the River Barrow. Impacts on the River Barrow and River Nore SAC are unlikely as outlined in the Receiving Water Impact Assessment (RWIA). Describe any likely direct, indirect or Percolated effluent from the Ballycolla WwTP would be unlikely to secondary impacts of the project (either alone reach the stream that flows into the River Barrow via seepage or or in combination with other plans or projects) surface recharge; hence it would not reach the SAC site. If on the Natura 2000 site by virtue of: constituents of the effluent from the plant did eventually reach the size and scale; SAC they would be so dilute as to have a negligible impact on the land-take; SAC. distance from the Natura 2000 site or key features of the site; resource requirements (water abstraction etc.); emissions (disposal to land, water or air); excavation requirements; Transportation requirements; duration of construction, operation, decommissioning, etc.; other.

Describe any likely changes to the site arising There are currently no proposals to alter or expand the treatment as a result of: plant at Ballybrittas. reduction of habitat area: disturbance to key species; The Ballybrittas WwTP discharges to ground, with no direct habitat or species fragmentation; discharge to surface water. The Receiving Water Impact reduction in species density; For Assessmentinspection purposes for thisonly. plant has demonstrated that the discharge from changes in key indicators of conservationConsent of copyrightthe Ballybrittas owner required WwTP for any is otherunlikely use. to be affecting water quality in the

value (water quality etc.); SAC. climate change. Describe any likely impacts on the Natura 2000 N/a site as a whole in terms of: interference with the key relationships that define the structure of the site; interference with key relationships that define the function of the site. Provide indicators of significance as a result N/a of the identification of effects set out above in terms of: loss; fragmentation; disruption/disturbance; change to key elements of the site (e.g. water quality). Describe from the above those elements of On the basis of the RWIA, it has been concluded that significant the project or plan, or combination of effects are unlikely to arise as a result of continued operation of the elements, where the above impacts are likely Ballybrittas WwTP. to be significant or where the scale or magnitude of impacts is not known.

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Finding of no significant effects report matrix – Ballybrittas WwTP Name of project or plan Name and location of River Barrow and Nore SAC Natura 2000 site Description of the project Continuation of operation of the existing Waste water treatment plant (WwTP) at or plan Ballybrittas, Co. Laois. The WwTP operates by use of a septic tank. Effluent from the WwTP is discharged to a percolation area located in a field adjacent to the septic tank. Is the project or plan No directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site (provide details)? Are there other projects Agricultural activities (slurry spreading, fertiliser application and ploughing of the land) or plans that together could result in elevation of suspended solids and certain chemicals in the SAC via with the project or plan erosion and runoff. being assessed could affect the site (provide details)? The assessment of significance of effects Describe how the project There are no impacts on water quality, surface water abstractions or protected aquatic or plan (alone or in species for which the SAC site has been selected nor are any impacts envisaged with combination) is likely to continued operation of the Ballybrittas WwTP. affect the Natura 2000 site. Explain why these effects - Indirect connection with the SAC site and distance from same are not considered - Use of a treatment system that is maintained by Laois Co. Co. significant. -Discharge to a percolation area that would further purify the effluent - Small size of the treatment plant List of agencies N/a consulted: provide contact name and telephone or e-mail address. Response to N/a consultation. Data collected to carry out the assessment Who carried out the Ecofact Environmental Consultants Ltd.; on behalf of Laois County Council assessment For inspection purposes only. Sources ofConsent data of copyright owner requiredLevel for any other use. of Where can the full results of the assessment assessment be accessed and completed viewed? Laois Co. Co. Receiving Water Water Services Section of Bord Na Mona: Impact Laois County Council, Aras an http://www.bnm.ie Assessment Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Central Statistics Office (CSO): http://www.cso.ie Environmental Protection Environmental Protection Agency licensing division Agency (EPA): http://www.epa.ie National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS): http://www.npws.ie Southern Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB): http://www.srfb.ie Southeastern River Basin District http://www.serbd.com Overall conclusions The continued operation of the existing Ballybrittas WwTP would not affect the unnamed stream or any element of the River Nore and Barrow SAC provided it continues to operate within the current parameters.

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