This report has been cleared for submission to the Board by the Programme Manager Frank Clinton. Signedd.Cc'QLQ-9 Date /b/&/lO ur'FICE OF CLIMATE, LICENSING & RESOURCE USE.

emEnvironmental Protection Agency I An Ghniomhommcht urn Chamhnd Canhrhoarl

To: DIRECTORS

Environmental Licensing From: Caroline Murphy Programme

Date: 21" May 2010

Application for a Waste Water Discharge Licence from County RE: Council, for the agglomeration named , Reg. No. D0095- 01

with a population equivalent of 2,OO 1 to 10,000. Licence ap pl icat ion received : 22"d September 2008 Notices under Regulation 18(3)(b) issued: I 4t'1July 2009 Information under Regulation 18(3)(b) 251h August 2009 & received: 171h December 2009 Site notice check: None Site visit: Submission(s) Received:

1. Agglomeration

This application relates to the Ballysadare agglomeration.

Primarily a combined sewer network serves Ballysadare. One pumping station, at box Park, pumps into this network. The Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is located c. 9Km south of Sligo town, on the edge of Ballysadare town in .

The WWTP in Ballysadare was upgraded under a Design Build Operate (DBO) contract in 2005. The plant is operated and maintained by EPS Ireland Ltd. as part of a 20 year DBO contract.

1 The WWTP is located c. 1SOm from the point where the Ballysadare River merges into Ballysadare Estuary and c. 160m from the edge of Ballysadre town. The WWTP is an activated sludge process with chemical nutrient removal which is designed to treat loads up to 3 times Dry Weather Flow (DWF, with a flow of 311/s and effluent quality of 25mg/l biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and 35mg/l suspended solids. The waste water treatment process incorporates the following components: Foul, Storm, Return Activated Sludge (RAS) and Surplus Activated Sludge (SAS) Pumps Inlet works, flow measurement and flow splitter Inlet screening and by-pass Grit removal system Screenings conditioning and compacting Storm water overflow to the storm water tank Ferric Dosing (Phosphorus removal) Aeration Tank Clarifier STM Hybrid Activated Sludge Plant - Sludge Thickening, holding and dewatering facilities. Treated effluent flow measurement and sampling Tidal Release Tank

The WWTP has been designed to accommodate a maximum loading of 4,500 population equivalent (p.e.). A p.e. count was completed for Ballysadare in August 2009, which totalled a p.e. of c. 2,536 for Ballysadare town. However; this figure includes c. 417p.e. from apartments and houses built but currently vacant. There is no industrial zoning within the town and no major land banks available for future housing so this p.e. should be applicable to 20 15. The percentage p.e. attributable to commercial development currently and to 2015 is c. 8 - 10%. It has been estimated that p.e. loading may rise to c. 4,500p.e. by the year 2026.

2. Discharges to waters The primary discharge outfall (SW1) is located c. 45011-1 from the WWTP and discharges via a lunar valve into Ballysadare Estuary. This point discharges c. 123,l 87.5m3/annum and is operational 365 daydyear. The primary discharge discharges directly into Ballysadare Bay candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), Ballysadre Bay designated Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ballysadare Bay proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA).

There is no secondary discharge point in this system.

There are five discharges in the current system, the primary discharge point and four storm water overflows (SWOs). The existing SWOs on the current network are as follows: SW2, is the SWO at the handball alley. There is a screened overflow facility from this manhole which is adjacent to the Ballysadare River. According to the caretaker this rarely, if ever, overflows. SW3, is the SWO at the power plant. There is a screened overflow facility from this manhole to the Ballysadare River. According to the caretaker this rarely, if ever, overflows.

2 0 SW4, was the SWO located adjacent to the WWTP. This SWO was originally the SWO upstream of the WWTP that existed at Ballysadare prior to the new works being built. As part of the new system treated effluent flowed through this SWO chamber. has confirmed that SW4 has been sealed as it serves no purpose as part of the new system. No measures have being put in place for its removal, which would require a foreshore licence. 0 SW5, is the SWO at Main Street. There is a screened overflow from this manhole to the Ballysadare River. This SWO overflows in periods of rain. There is a storm water retention tank at the WWTP with a capacity of 279m3 which will provide over 2 hours of storage for a p.e. of 4,500 (peak flow to €ull treatment is 3DWF or 35.21/s (127m3/hour)). Based on a review of the EPS monthly reports for Ballysadare, Sligo County Council have confirmed the storm tank rarely (if ever) filkddischarges. The storm water overflow from the inlet works is pumped back into the treatment system prior to ferric dosing and as such is not excluded from any treatments. However, if the storm water retention tank reaches its capacity this storm water overflow (SWA) will be discharged through the same point as the primary discharge (SW 1). 0 The applicant has confirmed that the existing SWOs are compliant with the DoEHLG bcProcediiresand Criteria in relation to Storm Water Oijeyflotzs”.

There is one pumping station (PS) in the current system, the Knox Park PS. There is one duty and one standby pump at this pumping station. In the event of power failure the lines backup. Backing up of the system at this pumping station has no immediate effect on the WWTP only to stop the forward flow of sewage. Once the backup is cleared there may be an increased flow of sewage to the WWTP until the blockage is cleared. There is no history of power failure at this pumping station.

3. Receiving waters and impact Table 1 below summarises the main considerations in relation to Ballysadare Estuary which receives the primary discharge. Table 1: Receiving waters Comment Receiving Ballysadare Estuary Ballysadare Estuary is a transitional water body in the Western River and type Basin District (WRBD) and merges into Ballysadare bay and in turm . Resourceuse Designated as a key satellite There has been a lot of housing village and a designated development in Ballysadare in town for consolidation under recent years. the settlement structure set out in the Regional Planning Guidelines Note I

Amenity value Marsh shooting and to a lesser extent fishing and aauaculture Note 2 Applicable - Bathing Water - There are no designated bathing Regulations areas in the Ballysadare Estuarv

3 ~~ Note 3 Surface Water . With regard to Ballysadare Estuary surface water quality see the comment on ELV parameters below. Waste Water Treatment . Samples taken in 2008 from the Regulatioiis Note 4 upgraded WWTP have demonstrated non compliances for BOD, COD and Suspended Solids Shellfish Waters . Ballysadare Estuary and Bay Regulations Note 6 have not been designated as Shellfish Areas (S.I. 55 of 2009).

Designations Proposed NHA - Ballysadare Bay proposed NHA Designated SPA (000622) Candidate SAC - Ballysadare Bay designated SPA (004129). - Ballysadare Bay cSAC (000622)

EPA Ballysadare Estuary EPA Status: Monitoring Monitoring Locations (X3): Stations Inner Ballisodare Bay: Reference figure 1 on page 13 for Abbey (SB 140) the location of these monitoring locations. SB 140 is approximately Inner Ballisodare Bay: in the same area as SW 1 while Inishmore (SB 13 0) SB 120, SB 130 and SB 150 are located c. 6km, 2km and 1Km from Inner Ballisodare Bay: SW 1 respectively. Derrinch Point (SB 120) Ballysadare Estuary has an Ballysadare River EPA ‘Unpolluted’ trophic status. Monitoring Locations (Xl):

River Ballisodare at Ballisodare Bridge (SB 150) WFD Status Ballysadare Estuary Good Note 7 (Waterbody Code = IE WE 460 0300) WFD Risk Ballysadare Estuary la - at risk of not achieving good Category status Note 7 Target 2015 Good status ote / WFD Ballysadare Estuary A “Protect” status has been listed as Protected an WFD overall objective for Areas Ballysadare Estuary Note 7

Note I : Source: Sligo County Council Website

4 Note 2: NPWS - Site Synopsis: Ballysadare Bay SPA (004129). Note 3: Quality of Bathing Waters (Amendment)Regulations, 1998 (S.I. No. 177 of 1998 ). Note 4: EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 1994 to 2004. Note 5: Records on Ballisadare WWTP for 2008 supplied by the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE). Note 6: European Communities (Quality of Shrlltish Waters) Regulations 1006, as amended Note 7: Source: Water Framework Directive Ireland website.

Ballysadare Bay extends for about 1Okm westwards from the town of Ballysadare, and is the most southerly of three inlets of the larger Sligo Bay. The estuarine channel of the Ballysadare River winds its way through the Bay, finally reaching the open sea near the spit at Dunes. The Bay is underlain by sedimentary rocks of limestones, sandstones and shales, which are exposed as low cliffs and small sections of bedrock shore at several locations’.

The Bay is little used for fishing or boating, but marsh shooting is common in the upper reaches of the Bay. Aquaculture is little developed in this bay compared to nearby Sligo and Bays’.

The primary discharge point is located in the following sites designated under the Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC] and the Birds Directive [79/409/EEC]:

0 Ballysadare Bay proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA)

0 Ballysadare Bay designated Special Protection Area (SPA)

0 Ballysadare Bay candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) Ballysadare Bay SPA encompasses the same area as the cSAC. The Bay is selected for four habitats listed under Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive and two species listed under Annex I1 of the Directive. The Bay is important for a range of waterfowl species in autumn and winter. It supports populations of internationally and nationally important populations. The bay contains extensive intertidal sand and mud flats which provide an abundance of food for wildfowl*.

Ballysadare Estuary is classified as at risk of not achieving good status. Ballysadare Estuary has an ‘Unpolluted’ trophic status and this must improve to ‘Good’ status by 2015 in order to comply with the WFD.

Records for 2008 supplied by the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) indicate that the WWTP is non compliant with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (S.I. No. 254 of 2001) with respect to COD, BOD and Suspended Solids. Out of a total of 17 samples tested in 2008, 311 7 samples were non- complaint for BOD, 2/17 samples for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and 2/17 samples for total suspended solids.

The performance standards for the WWTP to be achieved under the DBO contract require the treated effluent to meet the following target levels: BOD 25mg/l, COD 125mg/l and suspended solids 35mgll. These required BOD, COD and suspended solids concentration values are in accordance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 254 of 2001).

I NPWS - Site Synopsis: Ballysadare Bay SPA (004129). ’ Ballysadare WWTW - Appropriate Assessment - Stage 1 Screening.

5 Water quality standards are set out in the European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009 (EQS Regulations). As part the Water Framework Directive Programme, summary statistics for Ballysadare Estuary for both summer and winter periods 2006 - 2008 demonstrated that BOD and Molybdate Reactive Phosphorus (MRP) in Ballysadare Estuary are within the required EQS limits for transitional waters. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was within the required EQS limits during the winter period; however, this parameter was slightly over the EQS limits in the summer period. These Regulations do not outline a limit for Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) for transitional water bodies; however, the results did meet the required limit for coastal waters (linear interpolation was used to establish the limit values).

The RL does not specify a DIN limit for the primary discharge, however Condition 5.1 requires the licensee to reduce N loadings in the discharge to the maximum practicable extent. Schedule B Monitoring requires DIN to be monitored in Ballysadare Estuary. In Schecliile A Disclzmges, Emission Limit Values (ELVs) have been outlined for the primary discharge (SW1) for Total Oxidised Nitrogen (TON), Ammonia and MRP. The ELVs set for TON, Ammonia and MRP in Schedule A are 2Smg/l, 10mg/l and 5mg/l respectively. The application indicated an average result of 18.26mg/l, 0.097mg/l and 5.2Smg/l for TON, Ammonia (as N) and Total Orthophosphate respectively for the primary discharge. A ferric dosing and storage system is used for enhanced phosphorus removal at the WWTP and Condition 5.1 requires the licensee to reduce Total Phosphorous loadings in the discharge to the maximum practicable extent. Taking this into consideration the above ELV’s should be attainable. Schediile B. I of the RL details the frequency by which monitoring must be carried out by the applicant.

4. Ambient Monitoring The Office of Environmental Assessment (OEA) highlighted that there were some high levels of Chlorophyll detected in 2009 and that for the last couple of years there has been high Phytoplankton counts in the estuary. Schecliile B.4 Ambient Monitoi*ing requires that appropriate receiving water sampling points be agreed with the Agency for monitoring. Schedule B.4 Ambient Monitoring requires four samples per year to be tested for DIN, TON, Ammonia, MRP and Chlorophyll. As part of Condition 4: Control and Monitoring and Sclzediile D Anniial Eni+onmentnl Report (AER), a summary on the ambient water quality of the Ballysadare Estuary is required.

5. Combined Approach The Waste Water Discharge Authorisation Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007) specify that a ‘combined approach’ in relation to licensing of waste water works must be taken, whereby the emission limits for the discharge are established on the basis of the stricter of either or both, the limits and controls required under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (S.I. No. 254 of 2001) and the limits determined under statute or Directive for the purpose of achieving the environmental objectives established for surface waters, groundwater or protected areas for the water body into which the discharge is made. The RL as drafted gives effect to the principle of the Combined Approach as defined in S.I. No. 684 of 2007.

6 6. Programme of Improvements Ballysadare WWTP was upgraded in 2005 and has sufficient treatment capacity for projected p.e. increases up to 2026. There is no immediate programme of improvements specified for this agglomeration.

Schediile C Specified Improivment Programme, of the RL includes provision for improvement programmes or works where required by the Agency.

7. Compliance with EU Directives

In considering the application, regard was had to the requirements of Regulation 6(2) of the Waste Water (Discharge) Authorisation, Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007) notably:

Drinking Water Abstraction Regulations There are no drinking water abstraction points in the Ballysadare Estuary or downstream from the SWOs in the Ballysadare River.

Sensitive Waters Ballysadare Estuary and the Ballysadare River are not listed as sensitive water bodies within the meaning of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations 2001, as amended.

Water Framework Directive [2000/60/EC] The RL, as drafted, transposes the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. In particular, Condition 3. Discharges provides conditions regulating discharges to waters while Schedule A: Discharges specifies limit values for those substances contained within the waste water discharge. Those limits specified in the RL are determined with the aim of achieving good water quality status by 20 15.

Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive r91/27 1/EEC1 Records for 2008 supplied by the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) indicate that the WWTP is non compliant with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (S.I. No. 254 of 2001) with respect to COD, BOD and Suspended Solids. Out of a total of 17 samples tested in 2008, 3/17 samples were non- complaint for BOD, 2/17 samples for COD and 2/17 samples for total suspended solids.

Compliance with the final effluent standards will ensure that the integrity of the Estuary is maintained. The RL, as drafted, has regard to the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. In particular, Condition 3. Discharges provides conditions regulating discharges to waters, Schedzile A: Discharges specifies limit values for those substances contained within the waste water discharge and Sclzedrile B. I details the frequency by which monitoring must be carried out.

Bathing Water Directive [2006/7/EC] Ballysadare Estuary does not have any designated bathing areas within the meaning of the Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations 1992, as amended.

7 EC Freshwater Fish Directive [2006/44/EC] The priinary discharge is to Ballysadare Estuary, which is a transitional waterbody. The Ballysadare River that feeds into the estuary is not a designated salmonid river.

Shellfish Waters Directive r2006/113/EC] Ballysadare Estuary and Ballysadare Bay are not designated as a ‘Shellfish Water’ under the European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) (Amendment) Regulations, S.I. 55 of2009.

Dangerous Substances Directive r200611l/ECl The applicant has provided sampling results for 19 dangerous substances in the final effluent for the purposes of the licence application.

Copper, Lead and Zinc levels exceeded the EQS Regulations maximum levels for transitional waters. However; it should be noted that these results were from an average of final effluent once-off sampling undertaken in June 2008. Concentrations of Tributyltin, Cyanide and Mercury reported could not be assessed in terms of compliance with the EQS Regulations. This is due to the fact that the limit of quantification for the analysis carried out exceeds the threshold for Tributyltin, Cyanide and Mercury under the Regulations. It is therefore not possible to compare the results provided to these standards.

To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Dangerous Substances Directive the RL requires a number of measures to be undertaken. Condition 4.1 1.1 of the RL requires screening of the primary discharge for the presence of organic compounds and metals within six months of the date of grant of licence. Condition 4.1 1.2 of the RL requires the sources of any elevated dangerous substances to be investigated and measures to be put in place as are necessary to comply with the Dangerous Substances Directive and EC Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009 for the discharge of such substances from the waste water works. A report on the investigation and measures identified, including timeframes for implementation, shall be included in the AER.

Birds Directive [79/409/EEC1 & Habitats Directive [92/43/EECI The priinary discharge from the WWTP discharges into the following conservation areas:

0 Ballysadare Bay proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA)

0 Ballysadare Bay designated Special Protection Area (SPA)

0 Ballysadare Bay candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC)

Ballysadare Bay cSAC is selected for four habitats listed under Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive, namely intertidal sand and mudflats, marram dunes, fixed dunes and saltmarshes. The bay is also selected for two species listed under Annex II of the Directive, namely the common seal and the narrow mouthed whorl snail.

The bay contains extensive intertidal sand and mudflats, approximately 1,500ha in extent. The mud provides an abundance of food for wildfowl, in the form of

8 colonising plants, polychaete worm and bivalves. Common species of the polychaete worms include Hediste diiiersicolor, Arenicola marina, Lnnice conchilega and Nepthys ombergii. Bivalves present include Cerastoderma ediile, Macoma balthica and Scrobiciilaria plana. Also present on the intertidal flats are the vascular plants Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and Beaked Tasselweed (Rippia maritima), which provide food for herbivorous wildfowl3.

Well-developed saltmarshes occur at several locations around the bay. Typical species of these areas are Sea Rush (Jiincus maritimiis), Saltmarsh Rush (Jiinciis gerardi), Creeping Bent (Agrostis stolonifera) and Parsley Water-dropwort (Oenanthe Iachenalii). In hollows and ditches, Sea Arrow Grass (Triglochin maritima), Sea Club Rush (Scirpiis maritimiis), Sea Milkwort (Glaiix maritima), Thrift (Armeria maritima), Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima), Sea Aster (Aster tripoliiim) and Red Fescue Festrica rubra) occur. Other species found on the saltmarshes include Flowering Rush (Biitomiis iimbellatiis), Slender Spikerush (Eleocharis iiniglimis) and Hard Grass (Parpholis ~trigosa)~.

There is a large sand dune system at Strandhill (c. 9km northwest of the primary discharge) which has been relatively undisturbed by grazers. The dune system is highly dynamic, with the tip of the peninsula actively growing and displaying a good, though limited, example of embryonic shifting dunes. The characteristic species found in this habitat type include Couch Grass (Etvmiis ,farctzis), Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostratiis) and Sea Rocket (Cakile maritima). Shifting marram dunes are fairly extensive in area, occurring along the entire seaward side of the spit and are especially active towards the tip. While Marram (Ammophila arenaria) is the dominant species, Colt's Foot (Tiissilago .fncfira), Red Goosefoot (Chenopodiiim riibrrim) and Cat's-ear (ffvpochoeris radicata) can also be found. The seaward dunes reach considerable heights (up to 20m). They are very steep on the seaward edge, but to the east of this there is an undulating expanse of dune hills. The largest proportion of the dune system is made up of fixed dunes, a priority habitat listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. In from the marram dunes, there is a low-growing, closed sward which is particularly species rich, with Field Wood-rush (Liizula campestris), Kidney Vetch (.4nthyllis iwlneraria), Bee Orchid (0phr:v.s apifera), Oxeye Daisy (Leiicanthemiim idgare), Common Centuary (Centaiiriiim ei:vtlzraea), Thyme (Thvmiis praecox), Harebell (Campaniila rotiiiidifolia), Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia). Carline Thistle (Carlina idgaris) and Fairy Flax (Linrim catharticrim). The fixed dune areas are also rich in brophytes and lichens. Moss species include Tortilla riiraliformis, Hornalotheciiim Iiitescens, Ditrichiim ,fIexicaiile and Hvpniim ciipressiforme, while lichens (Peltigem spp. and Cladonia spp.) are also present. Some humid dune slacks occur amongst the fixed dunes. Characteristic species include Creeping Willow (Salix repens), Carnation Sedge (Carex panicea), Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis paliistris) and Jointed Rush (Jiinciis arti~iilatiis)~.

Three of the habitats for which the SAC is designated, namely marram dunes, fixed dunes and saltmarshes are on the land ward side of the SAC and as such should not be affected by discharges of waste water. The fourth habitat afforded protection by the SAC is tidal sand and mudflats. Throughout Ireland these habitats are at risk from aquaculture, fishing, bait digging, removal of fauna, reclamation of land and invasive species, and again these threats bear no relation to discharges to waste water".

NPWS - Site Synopsis: Ballysadare SAC (000622). ' Ballysadare WWTW - Appropriate Assessinelit - Stage 1 Screening - December 2009.

9 Two animals listed on Annex I1 of the EU Habitats Directive occur within the site: the Bay supports a colony of Common Seals, with up to 170 adults recorded here at one time; and the rare snail, Vertigo angustior, occurs in dune slacks or hollows at Strandhill'. The overall conservation assessment for the common seal in Ireland is good. The main threats to this species are due to catch in fishing gear, illegal cutting, competition for prey resources with fisheries and disturbance at haul out sites. The conversation status of the narrow mouthed whorl snail is poor; however, this is due to loss of its favoured habitats of grassland, fen, salt marsh and flood plain. The threats listed above bear no relation to discharges of waste water4.

Ballysadare Bay SPA encompasses the same area as the SAC. The SPA under the E.U. Birds Directive, of special conservation interest for the following species: Light- bellied Brent Goose, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit and Redshank. The E.U. Birds Directive pays particular attention to wetlands and, as these form part of this SPA, the site and its associated waterbirds are of special conservation interest for Wetlands & Waterbirds6.

Ballysadare Bay is important for a range of waterfowl species in autumn and winter. Counts over four winters in the period 1995/96 to 1999/00 showed that the population of Light-bellied Brent Goose ( 188) meets the qualifying level for international importance. The populations of five other species are of national importance, i.e. Grey Plover (70), Dunlin (1,420), Bar-tailed Godwit (251), Redshank (435) and Greenshank (22) - figures are the average peaks. A range of other species occur in regionally important concentrations - these include Cormorant (43), Shelduck (55), Wigeon (6 17), Teal ( 179), Mallard (304), Red-breasted Merganser (26), Oystercatcher (5 16), Ringed Plover (96), Golden Plover (301), Lapwing (467), Curlew (508) and Turnstone (40). It also supports populations of Goldeneye (17), Black-headed Gull (261) and Common Gull (174). A small flock of Whooper Swan (15) occurs. The presence of Bar-tailed Godwit and also smaller numbers of Golden Plover (66) is of particular note as these species are listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive6.

The range of SPA species found in the Ballysadare Bay are dependent on the tidal sand and mudflats for food. Provided the discharges of waste water are within standards specified they will have no direct effect on birds4.

Ballysadare WWTP was upgraded in 2005 to cater for a p.e. of 4,500 and produce an effluent within all legislative standards. The primary discharge is to the estuary with an immediate initial factor of dilution which should ensure impacts are negligible within a short distance of the discharge. In relation to discharges from the four SWOs, the caretaker notes that SWA, SW2 and SW3 rarely if ever overflow. However, the caretaker also notes that the SW5 overflows in periods of rain. All overflows are screened and discharge to the Ballysadare River at distances of c. 200 - lOOOm upstream of the SAC/SPA. Sligo County Council has confirmed that all overflows comply with the requirements of the DoEHLG criteria in relation to SWOs and they have deemed these overflows not to have a significant effect on the SAC/SPA. It is not expected that any cumulative impacts will occur at the site. Sligo County Council concluded in its Stage 1 Screening Appropriate Assessment that there are no

NPWS - Site Synopsis: Ballysadare SAC (000622). NF'WS - Site Synopsis: Ballysadare SPA (004129).

10 significant impacts on the qualifying interests of the designated sites or the integrity of the sites arising from Ballysadare WWTP’.

It is considered that the RL as drafted will provide a high level of protection to the designated sites, as it will ensure that all discharges from the agglomeration will be provided with an appropriate level of treatment. By ensuring that all waste water is treated to a high standard the RL will act to improve the quality of the receiving water environment.

Environmental Liabilities Directive [2004/35/EC] Condition 7.2 of the RL satisfies the requirements of the Environmental Liabilities Directive, in particular those requirements outlined in Article 3( I) and Annex I11 of the Directive.

8. Site Visit No site visit was conducted at the WWTP.

9. Cross Office liaison Ms. Ann Marie Egan of the Office of Environmental Enforcement provided up-to- date compliance data with respect to WWTP.

Ms. Georgina McDermott of the Office of Environmental Assessment provided summary statistics for Ballysadare Estuary, from monitoring carried out under the Water Framework Directive Programme, for both summer and winter periods 2006 - 2008. Lab. data from the period January - September 2009 was also provided.

Mr. Sliane O’Boyle of the Office of Environmental Assessment was consulted with respect to the appropriate frequency of ambient monitoring.

Advice and guidance issued by the Wastewater Technical Working Group (TWG) was followed during the assessment of this application. Advice and guidance issued by the TWG is prepared through a detailed cross-office co-operative process, with the concerns of all sides taken into account. The Board of the Agency has endorsed the advice and guidance issued by the TWG for the use by licensing inspectors in the assessment of wastewater discharge licence applications.

10. Submissions No submissions received in relation to this application.

1 1. Charges The RL sets an annual charge for the agglomeration at €3,460 and is reflective of the monitoring and enforcement regime being proposed for the agglomeration.

7 Ballysadare WWTW - Appropriate Assessment - Stage I Screening - Deceniber 2009

11 12. Recommendation I recommend that a Final Licence be issued subject to the conditions and for the reasons as set out in the attached Recommended Licence.

Signed

> (@&&flliU&l,L, Caroline Murphy Office of Climate, Licensing and Resource Use

12