Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2017
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Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2017 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Monitoring, Analysing and Reporting on the The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for Environment protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset • Monitoring air quality and implementing the EU Clean Air for for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting people Europe (CAFÉ) Directive. and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and • Independent reporting to inform decision making by national pollution. and local government (e.g. periodic reporting on the State of Ireland’s Environment and Indicator Reports). The work of the EPA can be divided into three main areas: Regulating Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Preparing Ireland’s greenhouse gas inventories and projections. Regulation: We implement effective regulation and environmental • Implementing the Emissions Trading Directive, for over 100 of compliance systems to deliver good environmental outcomes and the largest producers of carbon dioxide in Ireland. target those who don’t comply. Knowledge: We provide high quality, targeted and timely Environmental Research and Development environmental data, information and assessment to inform • Funding environmental research to identify pressures, inform decision making at all levels. policy and provide solutions in the areas of climate, water and sustainability. Advocacy: We work with others to advocate for a clean, productive and well protected environment and for sustainable Strategic Environmental Assessment environmental behaviour. • Assessing the impact of proposed plans and programmes on the Irish environment (e.g. major development plans). Our Responsibilities Radiological Protection Licensing • Monitoring radiation levels, assessing exposure of people in We regulate the following activities so that they do not endanger Ireland to ionising radiation. human health or harm the environment: • Assisting in developing national plans for emergencies arising • waste facilities (e.g. landfills, incinerators, waste transfer from nuclear accidents. stations); • Monitoring developments abroad relating to nuclear • large scale industrial activities (e.g. pharmaceutical, cement installations and radiological safety. manufacturing, power plants); • Providing, or overseeing the provision of, specialist radiation • intensive agriculture (e.g. pigs, poultry); protection services. • the contained use and controlled release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs); Guidance, Accessible Information and Education • sources of ionising radiation (e.g. x-ray and radiotherapy • Providing advice and guidance to industry and the public on equipment, industrial sources); environmental and radiological protection topics. • large petrol storage facilities; • Providing timely and easily accessible environmental • waste water discharges; information to encourage public participation in environmental • dumping at sea activities. decision-making (e.g. My Local Environment, Radon Maps). • Advising Government on matters relating to radiological safety National Environmental Enforcement and emergency response. • Conducting an annual programme of audits and inspections of • Developing a National Hazardous Waste Management Plan to EPA licensed facilities. prevent and manage hazardous waste. • Overseeing local authorities’ environmental protection responsibilities. Awareness Raising and Behavioural Change • Supervising the supply of drinking water by public water • Generating greater environmental awareness and influencing suppliers. positive behavioural change by supporting businesses, • Working with local authorities and other agencies to tackle communities and householders to become more resource environmental crime by co-ordinating a national enforcement efficient. network, targeting offenders and overseeing remediation. • Promoting radon testing in homes and workplaces and • Enforcing Regulations such as Waste Electrical and Electronic encouraging remediation where necessary. Equipment (WEEE), Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and substances that deplete the ozone layer. Management and structure of the EPA • Prosecuting those who flout environmental law and damage the The EPA is managed by a full time Board, consisting of a Director environment. General and five Directors. The work is carried out across five Offices: Water Management • Office of Environmental Sustainability • Monitoring and reporting on the quality of rivers, lakes, • Office of Environmental Enforcement transitional and coastal waters of Ireland and groundwaters; • Office of Evidence and Assessment measuring water levels and river flows. • Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring • National coordination and oversight of the Water Framework • Office of Communications and Corporate Services Directive. The EPA is assisted by an Advisory Committee of twelve members • Monitoring and reporting on Bathing Water Quality. who meet regularly to discuss issues of concern and provide advice to the Board. Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2017 Environmental Protection Agency An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil P.O. Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford, Ireland, Y35 W821 Telephone: +353 53 916 0600 Email: [email protected] Website: www.epa.ie LoCall: 1890 33 55 99 © Environmental Protection Agency, 2018 Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this publication, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this publication. All or part of this publication may be reproduced without further permission, provided the source is acknowledged. Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland October 2018 ISBN: 978-1-84095-798-3 Environmental Protection Agency | Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2017 Contents Key findings and recommendations .......................................................................................... 3 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4 2 Waste water treatment and effluent quality ..................................................................... 6 2.1 Compliance with European Union standards ............................................................. 6 2.2 Untreated waste water ............................................................................................. 10 3 Risks to water quality ....................................................................................................... 12 3.1 Inland and coastal waters ......................................................................................... 12 3.2 Bathing waters .......................................................................................................... 13 4 Protecting freshwater pearl mussels and shellfish .......................................................... 15 4.1 Freshwater pearl mussels ......................................................................................... 15 4.2 Shellfish ..................................................................................................................... 16 5 Collection systems ............................................................................................................ 17 6 Improving waste water treatment ................................................................................... 19 6.1 Infrastructure ............................................................................................................ 19 6.2 Investment ................................................................................................................ 20 6.3 Operation and maintenance ..................................................................................... 20 7 Prosecutions ..................................................................................................................... 22 8 Conclusions and recommendations ................................................................................. 23 Glossary and background information .................................................................................... 25 Appendix A: Priority areas. ..................................................................................................... 29 Appendix B: Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive non-compliance. .............................. 31 Appendix C: Areas discharging untreated waste water. ........................................................ 33 Appendix D: Pressures on water bodies. ................................................................................ 35 Appendix E: Impacts on bathing water. .................................................................................. 38 Appendix F: Protecting freshwater pearl mussels and shellfish. ............................................ 39 Appendix G: Priority collection systems ................................................................................. 41 Appendix H: Incidents ............................................................................................................. 42 Appendix I: Sewage sludge ....................................................................................................