Nore Main Water Management Unit Action Plan

Transcription

1 Name Nore Main Water Management Unit Nore Main Water Management Unit Action Plan Area 758 km 2 River Basin District Main Counties Protected Areas South Eastern RBD Kilkenny Hugginstown Fen SAC Cullahill Mountain SAC Spahill and Clomangagh Hill SAC Lisbigney Bog SAC River Barrow and River Nore SAC Nore River SAC Thomastown Quarry SAC 1 drinking water abstraction from River Nore. 1 UWWTD (Nutrient sensitive water) - River Nore d/s of Kilkenny Sewage outfall, to Inistioge Bridge. Freshwater Pearl Mussel Catchment Nore. Sectoral Total Phosphorus Source (This does not imply impact) % Agriculture Unsewered Populations Forestry Urban Areas Worked Peatlands Unsewered Industry Waste Water Treatment Plants Aquaculture Background Losses

2 STATUS/IMPACTS Overall status Status elements Possible Impacts - EPA Water Quality RWB - 4 high, 6 good, 22 moderate, 6 poor, 1 bad. 0 lakes. Q score drives status in all but 5 WBs, 3 of which are driven by moderate PhysChem, 1 by good Phys Chemical and 1 by moderate FPM. Status is extrapolated for all high status sites. Chemical status passes where monitored (8 water bodies including the Nore main channel). ARIGNA (KILKENNY) (SE_15_1824, Status 2009 Poor) Satisfactory at the only scheduled sampling location. ARRIGLE (SE_15_93, Status 2009 Moderate) Continuing slightly polluted at uppermost location but improved to satisfactory conditions at lowermost one since previous survey. (Q3-4) BREGAGH (SE_15_654 and SE_15_1994_4, Status Poor) Continuing moderately polluted at both locations. (Q score 3) BROWNSTOWN STREAM (SE_15_1332, Status Moderate) Continuing satisfactory. Also know as Pocoke River. GORTEENAHILLA (SE_15_75, Status Moderate) Continued unsatisfactory due to eutrophic, or slightly polluted conditions. (Q3-4) NORE (SE_15_1994_1, SE_15_1994_2, SE_15_1994_3, SE_15_1994_4, SE_15_1994_5, SE_15_1994_6, SE_15_1994_7, Status 2009 Moderate, Moderate, Good, Poor, Moderate, Moderate and Poor) - Continuing mainly unsatisfactory, with further deterioration recorded in 2004, due largely to widespread eutrophication with just eight of the 23 locations examined satisfactory. Three locations (0700, 2320 and 2400) had declined in quality, since previous survey, while four others had improved (0030, 1950, 2000 and 2305) but only one of these to a satisfactory status. Numbers of both protected species, the pearl mussel and crayfish, have declined recently with an unexplained collapse of the Nore crayfish population occurring in August (Q and one location only monitored in 2008 with Q3). NUENNA (SE_15_1029, Status 2009 Good) - Two of the three location assessed were unsatisfactory. Good quality status recorded upstream of Freshoford but poor quality at the two locations downstream. (Recent EPA monitoring indicates improvement to Good status since this assessment was made.) OWVEG (NORE) (SE_15_1421, Status 2009 Good) - Good quality status was recorded at three of the five locations assessed. The biological and hydro morphological quality of the river at the uppermost location, near Spink (0050), was only moderate and a deterioration in biological condition was also recorded at Castlemarket Bridge (0280). Q3-4) PRESSURES/RISKS Nutrient sources Point pressures River Status 19% 7% 44% 30% High Good Moderate Yet to be determined Most TP is diffuse (60%) mainly from agriculture (48%) and unsewered properties (6%). 39% comes from WWTP 7 WWTP Ballyhale-Knocktopher, Ballyraggett, Bennettsbridge, Freshford, Kilkenny, Thomastown and Ballinakill WWTPs. 5 Section 4s 2 Quarries, Convent, Private x2, 2 IPPCs - Dairy processing plant and quarry. 3 WTPs Ballyraggett, Bennettsbridge, Thomastown. Groundwater Sources for drinking water supply exist in this WMU namely Fermoyle Borehole, and Clogher Spring Poor Bad

3 PRESSURES/RISKS PRESSURES/RISKS Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and Industrial Discharges Quarries, Mines & Landfills Agriculture On-site systems WWTP s at risk: Ballinakill WWTP Freshford Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny City (Purcellsinch) WWTP Ballinkillin Ballyhale-Knocktopher Sewerage Scheme Ballyraggett Sewerage Scheme WWTP Bennettsbridge Sewerage Scheme WWTP Thomastown Section 4 - Quarry - 1 risk relating to d/s Q value less than 4 within 3km of outfall. No risks from other Section 4s. IPPCs - Dairy processing plant - 5 risks relating to insufficient assimilative capacity existing and future for BOD and nutrients; and d/s Q value less than 4 within 3km of outfall. Roadstone Ltd - 4 risks relating to insufficient assimilative capacity existing and future for BOD and nutrients There are 24 quarries located within the WMU. There is one landfill within the WMU:Dunmore Kilkenny Landfill. There are no mines within the WMU. There are no waterbodies at risk. There are 20 waterbodies at risk from agriculture within the WMU: SE_15_368, SE_15_520, SE_15_159, SE_15_707, SE_15_792, SE_15_1332, SE_15_1212, SE_15_1515, SE_15_1257, SE_15_1269, SE_15_821, SE_15_1922, SE_15_1370, SE_15_1421, SE_15_1994, SE_15_93, SE_15_819, SE_15_479, SE_15_1913, SE_15_1848, SE_15_1824, SE_15_827, SE_15_910, SE_15_1138, SE_15_75, SE_15_946, SE_15_654, SE_15_1814, SE_15_1029 There are 6350 septic tanks in this WMU, none of them are posing a risk to water quality due to their density, location and unsuitable hydrogeological conditions. Morphology There is one waterbody at risk due to channelisation within the WMU: SE_15_1269 (Kilkenny Flood Relief Scheme). This river has been designated as HMWB due the flood protection walls and also due to the artificial channel bed installed following the accidental spillage of Polychlorinated Bi-phenols from the brewery in A clean-up operation removed PCBs and sediments from the channel. A geotextile lining or membrane was installed to contain any remaining contaminated sediments. Further cleanup was undertaken at a later date as preparatory work for an OPW flood relief scheme. The river bed currently comprises a wire mesh over the geotextile membrane containing the contaminated sediments. Natural sediment transport processes have introduced some rock and gravel deposits which overlie the membrane and mesh in some locations. 187 potential Barriers to Migration have also been risk assessed by SRFB and CFB in this WMU. Nore Main Channel - No barriers were deemed to be impassable, high, or moderate risk on the Nore main channel. Large weirs such as Bennetsbridge, Castletown, Brett s, etc. do cause difficulties for all fish species, including adult salmon, at low flow and may act to delay fish passage. Other effects such as injury, loss of eggs, mortality due to exhaustion, increased stress, etc may occur. O Grady & Sullivan (1994) and Sullivan (2007) recommend that fish passage problems are eased under all conditions of flow with efficient fish passes that make the minimum demands on the migration of fish species and life-stages and these recommendations are very desirable. However, based on the distribution of juvenile salmon throughout the Nore catchment, in the context of the current risk analysis study, main channel weirs are not high risk. Owenbeg River - CFB identified one high risk barrier and six moderate risk barriers on the Owenbeg River. The SRFB assessed Boleybeg Bridge North as a high risk barrier. It remained high risk by CFB as only one year class was found at an upstream site surveyed in All moderate risk barriers were assessed by the SRFB field analysis as low or no risk but were reclassified by CFB as moderate risk as there was only one year class of juveniles present at the two sites surveyed upstream of these sites. Lisdowney Stream - The Lisdowney stream is a small tributary just north of the Nuenna. CFB identified a weir located on the lower reaches of the stream, near Grange Bridge as the only impassable barrier on the entire Nore catchment. Removal of this barrier would allow salmon to access approximately 2587 m-1 of potential spawning grounds upstream. Forestry There are 4 waterbodies at risk from forestry within the WMU: SE_15_1370, SE_15_136, SE_15_94, SE_15_910. Abstractions There are no waterbodies at risk from abstraction within the WMU. Dangerous substances There are no waterbodies at risk from dangerous substances within the WMU. Other There is one heavily modified water body within the WMU: channel of Breagagh Lower in Kilkenny City Centre

4 SELECTED ACTION PROGRAMME NB All relevant basic measures, general supplementary measures and SEA mitigation measures apply Point Sources Diffuse Sources Other POINT SOURCE: Investigation of all sewage and trade discharges and licence review. WWTP s refer to table overleaf Industry - Examine the terms of discharge authorisations to determine whether they require review for the purpose of compliance with water body objectives including protected area objectives and environmental quality standards AGRICULTURE Good Agricultural Practice Regulations and Enforcement. FORESTRY - Measures to address acidification and sedimentation apply to 4 waterbodies within the WMU (SE_15_1370, SE_15_136, SE_15_94 and SE_15_910 - the forested areas surrounding Ballinakill) MORPHOLOGY - 1 water body (SE_15_1269) is designated HMWB and its modifications considered necessary in both flood protection and pollution prevention (Kilkenny Flood Relief Scheme). Barriers to Migration: Lisdowney Stream The impassable weir located on the lower reaches of the stream, near Grange Bridge CFB advises that removal of this barrier would allow salmon to access approximately 2587 m-1 of potential spawning grounds upstream. Owenbeg River Boleybeg Bridge North is a high risk barrier. CFB recommends that all moderate risk barriers would need further investigation to distinguish which of the barriers, if any are causing the impediment to upstream migration. It is also recommended that whilst this risk assessment was undertaken for salmon, a similar exercise would need to be undertaken for other migratory fish species. After such an assessment, barriers could be prioritized with the greatest benefit to all fish species. Pococke River One bridge in the lower reaches of the Pococke near Garrincreen is high risk. CFB advises that further examination of the barrier structure is needed to confirm that there is no physical obstruction to the upstream movement of fish; and the absence of juvenile salmon upstream of this barrier may be related to poor habitat or water quality issues. Therefore this barrier is may be of no risk to salmon migration and requires investigation. Little Arrigle River The Derrynahinch Bridge on a tributary of the Little Arrigle Is a high risk barrier as no juveniles were present at an upstream site surveyed in CFB advised that a visual inspection of the bridge may be adequate in reclassifying the bridge as no risk. Nuenna River Based on GIS analysis by CFB four barriers on the main channel of the Nuenna have been classified as moderate risk due to the presence of only one year class of salmon at a site fished upstream. Three of these barriers are located in Freshford town and were assessed by the SRFB field analysis as no risk. The site surveyed upstream of all four barriers in 2008 recorded 22 two yr old juvenile salmon but no 1yr old fish. CFB advises that not all of these barriers may be preventing the upstream passage of salmon and should be re-examined. OTHER - Freshwater Pearl Mussel Sub Basin Plans measures to protect FPM in the upper reaches of the WMU. Sewerage Schemes proposed for Freshford/Johnstown and Kilkenny City, Water Supply Schemes proposed for Bennettsbridge and Kilkenny City all identified in WSIP OBJECTIVES FUTURE DEVELOPMENT Good status water bodies Future Pressures and Developments Throughout the river basin management cycle future pressures and developments will need to be managed to ensure compliance with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive and the Programme of Measures will need to be developed to ensure issues associated with these new pressures are addressed. Protect Alternative Objectives 10 waterbodies Extended Deadlines 22 water bodies with 2021 deadline New Modifications or Development none requiring alternative objectives at present. Heavily Modified Water Body/Artificial Water Body - 1 Heavily Modified Water Body in Lower Bregagh, Kilkenny City Centre.

5 WWTP Selected Action Programme Point Source Discharge County Priority Measure (Capital Works) Ballinakill WWTP Laois 1 Increase capacity of treatment plant. Ballinakill WWTP Laois 1 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall. Ballinakill WWTP Laois 1 Provide nutrient removal or relocate outfall. Freshford Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 1 Increase capacity of treatment plant. Freshford Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 1 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall. Kilkenny City (Purcellsinch) WWTP Kilkenny 1 Provide nutrient removal. Kilkenny City (Purcellsinch) WWTP Kilkenny 1 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall. Kilkenny City (Purcellsinch) WWTP Kilkenny 1 Provide nutrient removal or relocate outfall. Bennettsbridge Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 1 Increase capacity of treatment plant. Ballyhale-Knocktopher Sewerage Scheme Kilkenny 1 Increase capacity of treatment plant. Ballyhale-Knocktopher Sewerage Scheme Kilkenny 2 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall. Ballyhale-Knocktopher Sewerage Scheme Kilkenny 2 Provide nutrient removal or relocate outfall. Point Source Discharge County Priority Measure (Investigation before Capital Works) Ballinkillin Carlow 2 Investigate the need for tertiary treatment or for the relocation of the outfall. Ballinkillin Carlow 2 Investigate the need for tertiary treatment or for the relocation of the outfall. Ballyraggett Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 2 Investigate the need for tertiary treatment or for the relocation of the outfall. Thomastown Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 2 Investigate the need for increase in capacity of treatment plant. Point Source Discharge County Priority Measure Ballyraggett Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 1 Implement an appropriate performance management system Kilkenny City (Purcellsinch) WWTP Kilkenny 1 Implement an appropriate performance management system Point Source Discharge County Priority Measure Kilkenny City (Purcellsinch) WWTP Kilkenny 2 Investigation of CSO's Point Source Discharge County Priority Measure Ballyraggett Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 2 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not exceeded Bennettsbridge Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 2 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not exceeded

6 This table outlines water body information including status and a breakdown of its elements, protected areas, objectives and timescales. River Data IE_SE_NoreMain Member State Code Monitored Y (Extrapolated N) Donor Waterbody Biological Elements Supporting Elements Protected Areas Macroinvertebrate s (Q) FreshWater Pearl Mussel Fish Phytobenthos (Diatoms) Morphology Specific Polutants Physio-chemical Ecological Status Chemical Status Special Area of Conservation Special Protection Area Nutrient Sensitive Waters Drinking Water Objective Date objective to be achieved SE_15_1029 Y P H G P G Y GES 2021 SE_15_1138 N SE_15_1955 M GES 2021 SE_15_1212 N SE_15_1991 M Y GES 2015 SE_15_1257 N SE_15_1762 M GES 2015 SE_15_1269 Y P B M P GEP 2021 SE_15_1332 Y M G M Y GES 2021 SE_15_136 N TBC H HES 2009 SE_15_1370 N TBC H Y HES 2009 SE_15_1421 Y M G M Y GES 2021 SE_15_1511 N SE_12_2440 H HES 2009 SE_15_1515 Y M M GES 2021 SE_15_159 N SE_15_1762 M GES 2015 SE_15_1814 Y G G Y GES 2009 SE_15_1824 Y P P GES 2021 SE_15_1848 N SE_15_1814 G GES 2009 SE_15_1913 N SE_14_1383 G GES 2009 SE_15_1922 N SE_15_1762 M GES 2015 SE_15_1994_1 Y G M H H M Y GES 2021 SE_15_1994_2 Y M H G M Y GES 2021 SE_15_1994_3 Y G H G G Y Y GES 2009 SE_15_1994_4 Y P H G P Y Y GES 2021 SE_15_1994_5 Y H M M Y Y GES 2021 SE_15_1994_6 Y G H M M Y Y GES 2021 SE_15_1994_7 Y B M H M B G Y Y GES 2021 SE_15_368 N SE_14_1663 M GES 2021 SE_15_479 Y G G GES 2009 SE_15_520 N SE_15_1762 M GES 2021 SE_15_650 N SE_12_2440 H Y HES 2009 SE_15_654 Y P P GES 2021 SE_15_707 N SE_15_1991 M GES 2015 SE_15_75 Y M M Y GES 2015 SE_15_792 N SE_15_1811 M GES 2021 SE_15_819 N SE_15_1955 M GES 2021 SE_15_821 N SE_14_1663 M GES 2021 SE_15_827 Y G G Y GES 2009 SE_15_910 Y M H M Y GES 2021 SE_15_93 Y M G M Y GES 2015 SE_15_94 Y M G H M Y GES 2021 SE_15_946 Y P H P GES 2021