Bathing Water Profile - Bishopsquarter (2013)

Bathing Water: Bishopsquarter Bathing Water Code: IEWEBWC110_0000_0100 Local Authority: Clare County Council River Basin District: Western Monitoring Point: 124690E, 209880N

1. Profile Details:

Profile Id: BWPR00143 Toilets Available: Yes Year Of Profile: 2013 Car Parking Available: Yes Year Of Identification 1992 Disabled Access: No Version Number: 1 First Aid Available: Yes Sensitive Area: Yes Dogs Allowed: No Lifesaving Facilities: No

Figure 1: Bathing Water 2. Bathing Water Details:

Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent

Bathing Water location and The bathing water at Bishopsquarter is located on the northwest coast of Clare. The designated bathing extent: area is 0.06km2 approx in size and extends 350m along the shoreline of Bishopsqaurter beach.

Western River Basin District

Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water Water: Bishopsquarter is located in the Bay, which is situated within the Kinvarra water Management Unit (WMU). The Kinvarra WMU is in the Western River basin Management District. This catchment is predominantly karst in nature with no river water body units prescribed for the catchment. The water quality status of the bay is coastal and of high status WE_110_000. The groundwater bodies in the catchment are all currently at interim “Good status” WE_G_0001, WE_G_0090, WE_G_0089, WE_- G_0095 and WE_G_0099.

Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone

The marine riparian zone at Bishopsquarter is classified as natural. The designated bathing area consists of fine sand with stones and gravel and drift algae mixed through it. The bathing area comprises a number of habitats in close proximity to the bathing area which include rocky shores, muddy shores, a lagoon, low islands, sand dunes and a turlough close to Ballyvaughan. Rocky outcrops close to the designated bathing demonstrate classic sore zonation patterns. In the upper zone, brown seaweed and small white barnacles occur. In the middle zone limpets and winkles are present. At extreme low water Oar weed can be seen in the lower zone.

Water Depth

The depth of water increases slowly and steadily.

Tidal Range

During the bathing season the tidal ranges vary between 2m and 5.2m.

Land Use

The predominant land use surrounding the beach is agriculture and the bare rock of the . The closest urban area to the beach is Ballyvaughan, which is located within 3km.

Sensitive Area

Max. number of visitor during a day in high season: 50 Main features of the Bathing Water:

Approx number of visitor during the bathing season: 250

Activities available at the Swimming, walking/running and angling are the main activities to take place at Bishopsquarter beach. Bathing Water: Clare County Council introduced Beach byelaws in May 2008 under Part 19 Local Government Act, 2001, & Local Government Act, 2001 (Commencement) Order 2006. Under these bye-laws the following activities are prohibited: • Horse riding (between 11am and 6pm) • Dog walking (between 11am and 6pm) • Any use of motorised watercraft

Contributing catchment Bishopsquarter bathing area is located in Ballyvaughan Bay in the north west coast of Co. Clare in the details: Western River Basin District within the Kinvarra water Management Unit. Due to the karst nature of the area, waterbody type is predominantly groundwater with only one surface water body visible (the River). It is considered that Poulnaclough Bay is a part of Ballyvaughan Bay. Ballyvaughan Bay and Poulnaclough Bay are both Shellfish Designated Waters and their associated contributing catchments has been previously defined by the Department of Heritage, Environment and Local Government based on topography, dye tracing and previous knowledge for use in the “Pollution Reduction Programmes”. Therefore the same contributing catchments for the Designated Shellfish Waters have been used to define the Bishopsquarter bathing water catchment area. This catchment also includes the Newtown borehole abstraction source which supplies drinking water for Ballyvaughan. Water Bodies Draining to Bathing Water The Rathborney River lies in the West of the catchment rising in the and Cappanawalla Mountains, which is approximately 4km east of Ballyvaughan. The river flows south and then east before sinking north of Greagans East. It is approximately 6km in length. There is no data available for this river but a recent survey carried out by Clare County Council indicate there may be some low level contamination from on site wastewater treatment systems. Topography The distinctive feature of this bathing water catchment is its karst topography with the characteristic stone landforms and subterranean drainage systems that characterise such limestone terrains. Bare rock is widespread on the hills within the catchment overlooking Bay.

Monitoring point details: The designated bathing area is 0.06km2 approx in size and extends 350m along the shoreline of Bishopsquarter beach. The sampling point is located below the lifeguard hut.

Reason for selection of the Location where most bathers swim due to its location opposite the lifeguard hut. monitoring point:

Water quality • 2011: Good status assessment: • 2012: Good status 3. Identified Pressures:

Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment

3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk:

Description: There are two disused mines located in the upper reaches of the bathing water catchment in the townlands of Ailwee and Gortboyheen

Source: Mines Type: Other Short Term Pressure: No

Description: There is one licence issued under Section 4 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977- 1990 located within the bathing water catchment.

Source: Section 4 WWTP Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: No

3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk:

Description: The main land use within the catchment is agriculture. Farming is not very intensive and is comprised mainly of dairy and /or beef farms and their associated spreadlands. Source: Agriculture in the Catchment Area Type: Run off from agricultural land Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: very infrequent Duration: < 24 hours Risk Assessment Information from Farm Inspections and looking at soil types in catchment. Examining historical Methodology: bathing water results. Risk Assessment In 2010 there were 79 farmyard inspections carried out within the bathing water catchment. 89% of Results: these farms were categorised as low risk, 11 % as medium risk and 0% as high risk. Slurry from these farms is being spread on largely rendzina soils which have predominantly high and extreme groundwater vulnerability. In the immediate vicinity of the designated bathing area there are more favourable well draining brown earths (Kinvarra Series). There is no indication from bathing water quality results that there is a pressure from agriculture. Therefore a low microbial risk has been assigned for diffuse pollution from agriculture.

Details: Overall within the catchment there is a low risk of diffuse pollution, to the designated bathing area at Bishopsquarter, from agriculture. Farmers are permitted to spread slurry, and other farm effluents, on spreadlands located within the catchment throughout the bathing season. However during times of heavy rainfall there is a risk of pollution of waters from slurry spreading, which may have adverse effects on the water quality at the bathing area in Bishopsquarter. In the unlikely event that there is diffuse pollution from agriculture the duration of short term pollution would be very short. Management Ensure that farmers are spreading slurry in accordance with the European Communities (Good Measures: Agriculture Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. In this regard, slurry should be spread at an appropriate slurry application rate for karst areas and not applied to land within 48 hours of heavy rain being forecast. Enforcement notices will be issued to farmers who are not spreading slurry in accordance with European Communities (Good Agriculture Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. Refer also to the following report: Clare County Council Environment and Water Services Directorate, Reporting for 2010 on Pollution Reduction Programmes for 5 Designated Shellfish Waters in Co. Clare: Aughinish Bay, Ballyvaughan/Poulnaclough Bay, Poulnasharry Bay, Bay and Rinvella Bay. Contact details of bodies responsible for taking such action: Environment and Water Services Directorate, Clare County Council. Tel: 065 68 4621616.

Description: Ballyvaughan Waste Water Treatment Plant comprises of a separate foul and storm water collection system. The foul sewers convey wastewater to the collection point near the main pier, which is at the lowest point in the village, from where is discharges to the sea, as shown in map 2 attached. The main collection point is a concrete holding tank, which provides only primary settlement, with discharges taking place on a tidal basis.

Source: Wastewater Treatment Plants Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: very infrequent Duration: < 24 hours Risk Assessment EPA Guidance Document on Preparation of Bathing Water Profiles (July 2012) , Risk Assessment Methodology: Methodology.

Risk Assessment Microbial PollutionPotential : Low Results: WQI Grade: A Microbial Pollution Risk(WHO 2003): Very Low

Details: While the Microbial Pollution Risk for Bishopsquarter is a very low risk grade there is an inherent risk that untreated wastewater discharges may impact on water quality particularly during times of extreme weather events and favourable tidal conditions. In the unlikely event that this may occur the duration of short- term pollution would be very short.

Management The municipal treatment system serving Ballyvaughan requires upgrading. This plant has not been Measures: includedthe Water Services investment Program 2010 – 2012 and Clare County Council are not presently in the position financially to upgrade this plant. Contact details of bodies responsible for taking such action: Environment and Water Services Directorate, Clare County Council. Tel: 065 68 4621616.

Description: The catchment as a whole is largely unsewered apart from Ballyvaughan . Source: Wastewater Treatment Plants serving single houses Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: very infrequent Duration: < 24 hours Risk Assessment By GIS analysis using the Geo Directory dataset for Clare 2010 and the catchment delineation for Methodology: the bathing water catchment it is estimated that there are 550 on site wastewater systems. Housing density served by onsite wastewater treatment systems was mapped. With reference to: Clare County Council Environment and Water Services Directorate, Reporting for 2010 on Pollution Reduction Programmes for 5 Designated Shellfish Waters in Co. Clare: Aughinish Bay, Ballyvaughan/Poulnaclough Bay, Poulnasharry Bay, Carrigaholt Bay and Rinvella Bay. Risk Assessment Results: In the immediate vicinity of the bathing area there are the characteristic shallow brown earths of the Kinvarra series which are well to excessively drained and have more favorable percolation properties for on site wastewater treatment systems than the shallower more free draining Rendzina soils, which dominate the remainder of the catchment. Yet overall within the catchment groundwater and the Rathborney River (a sinking stream) are at risk of microbial contamination from on site wastewater treatment systems based on the extreme groundwater vulnerability in this area. However there is no indication from water quality analysis at Bishopsquarter that there is a significant risk from on site waste water treatment systems a Microbial Pollution Risk (MPR) of very low has been assigned to this pressure.

Details: Due to the extreme groundwater vulnerability within this bathing water catchment there is an inherent risk that during times of heavy rainfall there may be diffuse discharges from on site wastewater treatment systems to receiving waters which may impact on water quality at the designated bathing area in Ballyvaughan. In the event that this may occur the duration of short-term pollution would be very short.

Management Privately owned on site wastewater treatment systems shall be adequately maintained and checked Measures: such that there is no risk of a foul discharge to waters including groundwater. Where wastewater treatment systems are deemed a risk to the environment and / or public health, appropriate enforcement action will be taken by Clare County Council under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977-2007 and / or Water Services Act 2007. Contact details of bodies responsible for taking such action: Environment and Water Services Directorate, Clare County Council. Tel: 065 68 4621616.

3.3 Other Risks:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Current information suggests that the bathing water is not at risk of a proliferation of of cyanobacteria: cyanobacteria

Proposed management measures for N/A cyanobacteria:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation N/A of macroalgae:

Proposed management measures for N/A macroalgae: Assessment of the potential for proliferation Current information suggests that the bathing water is not at risk of a proliferation of macro-algae of marine phytoplankton: of phytoplankton Proposed management measures for marine N/A phytoplankton:

Additional Information: Bishopsquarter is a sandy beach which faces to the northwest into and is sheltered from direct influence of the Atlantic Ocean by Black Head. Due to the level of shelter, it is deemed one of the safest beaches in Co. Clare. This bathing area is part of the Galway Bay Complex SAC and the Inner Galway Bay SPA. The designated bathing area is 0.06km2 approx in size and extends 350m along the shoreline of Bishopsquarter beach. The sampling point is located below the lifeguard hut. Clare County Council samples the bathing water during each Summer. Water quality test results, during the period 2003 – 2010, were in full compliance with the standards specified under the Quality of Bathing Water Regulations, 1992, and the Bathing Water Quality Directive 76/160/EEC. There is a very low risk to water quality at Bishopsquarter. However, short term pollution events (<24hours) from point and diffuse pollution sources may occur and can be linked to heavy storm events. Although these rare pollution events may occur and impact on bathing water quality, Clare County Council will investigateand take all appropriate action including informing the public, should such an event happen

4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years:

2010 2011 2012 2013 Bishopsquarter Good Good Good Good

5 Contact Details:

Contact: Clare County Council Email: [email protected] Address: Transportation, Water Services & Environment Directorate, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road , , Co. Clare Phone: 065 6846331