Barrow Main Water Management Unit Action Plan

Barrow Main Water Management Unit Action Plan Name Area 1110 km 2 River Basin District Main Counties Protected Areas Barrow Main Water Management Unit South Eastern RBD Kildare, Laois, Carlow River Barrow & River Nore SAC Mountmellick SAC River Barrow UWWTD 2 Drinking water abstractions from Barrow river and Burren river Sectoral Total Phosphorus Source (This does not imply impact) % 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Agriculture Unsewered Populations Forestry Urban Areas Worked Peatlands Unsewered Industry Waste Water Treatment Plants Aquaculture Background Losses

STATUS/IMPACTS Overall status Status elements Possible Impacts - EPA Water Quality 2004 48 River Water Bodies - 16 Good, 22 Moderate, 8 Poor, 2 Bad Q score dictates overall status in most WBs, Phys Chemical drives the status of 3 good and 2 moderate WBs. Phys Chemical status ranges between moderate and high where monitored. Status for 23 WBs were extrapolated. Chemical status was not monitored. ATHY STREAM - Upper reaches (0200) heavily silted and weedy, lower reaches heavily calcified. Sensitive species not observed at either location. Unsatisfactory. Agriculture suspected. *Silt. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1288 / Status 09: Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4) AUGHNACREW - An impoverished fauna lacking sensitive macroinvertebrates indicated some considerable ecological upset in the middle reaches (0300) of this stream in October 2003 but the lower reaches (0500) although quite weedy were assessed as satisfactory for the time being. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1921 / status 09 : Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4) BALLYNABOLEY STREAM - As in previous surveys indications were of somewhat less than satisfactory quality in this small stream in 2003. Unsatisfactory. No change. Waterbody Code:SE_14_951 / Status 09: Poor (Based on Q 3) BARROW - As indicated by the net increase (of two) in the number of Class A locations and a corresponding reduction in Class C and because the number of locations showing some improvement (six) the number deteriorating (three) it is clear that there has been an overall improvement in the Barrow since 2000. This despite the fact that water levels were generally below normal everywhere and were very low in the upper river thus providing less dilution capacity for wastes. However, eutrophication continued to be widespread due to suspected agriculture in the upper river and to suspected sewage and other discharges from Portlaoise and Carlow. DOUGLAS (LAOIS) - The overall quality situation in the Douglas river in 2003 was very similar to the generally unsatisfactory condition recorded in the previous survey: marked eutrophication was again apparent at 0080 and 0200 and the lower reaches (0300), although slightly improved since 2000, were heavily silted. Severe bank erosion was apparent at the upper surveyed location (0080).*Silt. Waterbody code: SE_14_1304 / Status 09: Good (Based on Q4 in 2006);SE_14_1490 Status 09:Good Based on Q Score and Physchem. DUNRALLY STREAM - Widespread eutrophication plus heavy siltation by watering cattle in the lower reaches again reflect the unsatisfactory quality status of this stream. High conductivity values indicated a groundwater input at Stations. *Silt. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1746 / 2009 WB status: Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4) FUER -As in 2000 extremely low water level prevented sampling but from the quantities of animal manure observed on the substratum at Fuer Bridge it would be reasonable to assume that quality was unlikely to have been of a satisfactory standard in 2003. Waterbody code: SE_14_1482 / 2009 WB status:moderate:based on fail in physchem) FUSHOGE - Following a marked improvement in its lower reaches (0290) water quality was assessed as satisfactory at each of the three locations surveyed on the Fushoge River in early October 2003. However, heavy siltation and substratum disturbance by watering cattle threatened this situation at Strand Bridge (0050). Waterbody Code: SE_14_1283 - Status 09: Moderate (Based on physchem) GOWRAN - The Gowran River was in a generally unsatisfactory condition due to widespread eutrophication in October 2003; just one of the six locations surveyed (i.e., 0050) was satisfactory. Abundant sewage fungus and the virtual absence of resident macroinvertebrates pointed to serious pollution of agricultural origin (silage suspected) in the Freneystown area (0020) while municipal and industrial discharges are suspected for the unsatisfactory, hypertrophic condition of the river in and below Gowran (0100, 0220, 0300 and 0400). (Since survey in 2003, there has been a new WWTP at Gowran Village in 2009) Waterbody Code: SE_14_1879-2009 status: Poor (Based on Q value 3-4) MONEFELIM - The Monefelim River was in a mostly satisfactory condition as regards water quality in October 2003 but the lower reaches (0800, 1000) were assessed as eutrophic due to suspected agriculture (slurry), a reversal of the recovery recorded in the previous survey of 2000. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1663 2009 Status: Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4) OLD LEIGHLIN STREAM - Water levels were very low in this small stream in October 2003 when quality was assessed as satisfactory at Old Leighlin (0500) but excessive algal growths indicated significant eutrophication in the lower reaches (0700) where the DO concentration was 158 percent of saturation at the time of this survey. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1382 Status 2009: Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4) POWERSTOWN - An improvement to Fair quality was recorded in the lower reaches (0400) of this small stream in late July 2003. The upper reaches were again over-enriched as in previous surveys. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1383 / 2009 status: Good (Based on Q Score) TULLY STREAM - Minor improvements at 0100 and 0200 contrast with substantial deterioration at 0300 and 0390 where the river was seriously polluted at the time of this survey in late August 2003. Waterbody Code: SE_14_842 / Status 09: Bad (Based on Q value 2 and fail on physchem) 4% 17% 46% River Status 33% High Good Moderate Poor Bad Yet to be determined

PRESSURES/RISKS Nutrient sources Point pressures Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and Industrial Discharges 83% of TP is Diffuse, 60% of which is from Agriculture, 20% from unsewered properties. 16% of TP comes from WWTP 26 WWTP: Clonmore, Leighlinbridge, Mortarstown, Muine Bheag, Nurney (Carlow), Old Leighlin, Raheendoran, Athy, Kilberry, Kildangan, Kildare Town, Kilmead, Monasterevin, Nurney (Kildare), Goresbridge, Gowran sewerage Scheme, Paulstown, Ballylinan, Coolanaugh, Emo, Portarlington, Ballyroe, Calverstown, Castlemitchell, Derrinturn, Cappalug. 3 WTP: River Barrow Treatment Plant, Muine Bheag Treatment Works; (abstraction from River Barrow at Portarlington) and Tobergoolick Poll (Paulstown). 6 EPA Licensed Waste Facilities 14 Section 4s: Hotel, School, B&B/Caravan/Camping Park, 2 Building Contractors, 2 Stud/Stables, Nursing Home, Building Products Supplier, 2 Quarries, Golf Club, Concrete Manufacturer, Private Company. 14 IPPC: 2 Pig Farms, 2 Private Companies, Packaging Company, Chilling Company, Sugar Refinery, 3 Manufacturers, Building Contractor, Foods Processor, Steelwork Contractor, Chemical Lime Producer. 19 of the 24 WWTP's are at risk: Clonmore WWTP Leighlinbridge WWTP Mortarstown WWTP Muine Bheag WWTP Nurney WWTP Old Leighlin WWTP Raheendoran WWTP Athy WWTP Kilberry WWTP. Kildare Town WWTP Monasterevin WWTP Nurney WWTP, Kildare Goresbridge WWTP Gowran Sewerage Scheme WWTP Paulstown WWTP Ballylinan WWTP Portarlington WWTP PRESSURES / RISKS Quarries, Mines & Landfills Agriculture On-site systems Forestry Dangerous substances Morphology Abstractions Other There are 42 Quarries within WMU. 2 have Section 4 licenses. 2 WBs at risk - SE_14_196 and SE_14_1556. The majority of the area of the WMU is at risk from Agriculture There are 13884 septic tanks in this WMU, none of them are posing a risk to water quality due to their density, location and unsuitable hydrogeological conditions. No waterbodies at risk from forestry No waterbodies at risk from Dangerous Substances. 7 Waterbodies at risk - SE_14_1746, SE_14_1687, SE_14_1610, SE_14_1304, SE_14_1418, SE_14_842 and SE_14_572 - Barrow Drainage District (Pre 1945 Channelisation) 23 Abstractions but no waterbodies at risk. Additional Groundwater abstractions as advised by Laois CoCo at Lough Boreholes and La Bergerie Wells Portarlington. 2 Artificial Waterbodies - Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation 2 Section 4 Licenses at risk

SELECTED ACTION PROGRAMME NB All relevant basic measures, general supplementary measures and SEA mitigation measures apply Point Sources Diffuse Sources Other OBJECTIVES Restore/Protect 2015 Alternative Objectives Future Pressures and Developments 21 water bodies FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WWTP see Actions table to the right INDUSTRY 2 Section 4 Licenses investigate risk. All - 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. Good Agricultural Practice Regulations and Enforcement. Morphology 7 waterbodies within the WMU require Channelisation Investigation to investigate impact of drainage works. Extended Deadlines 27 water bodies with 2021 deadline 3 New Modifications or Developments Carlow, (River Barrow) Flood alleviation scheme being undertaken along with Carlow County Council Strategic Flood Risk Management Feasibility study being undertaken Water reservoir at Gerryhinch. HMWB/AWB - 2 Artificial Waterbodies - Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation 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. (Capital Works) Kildare Town WWTP Kildare 1 Increase capacity of Kildare Town WWTP Kildare 2 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall. Paulstown Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 1 Increase capacity of Paulstown Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 1 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall. Paulstown Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 1 Provide nutrient removal or relocate outfall. Portarlington WWTP Laois 1 Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall. (Investigation before Capital Works) Athy WWTP Kildare 2 Ballylinan WWTP Laois 2 Investigate the need for tertiary treatment or for the relocation of the outfall. Goresbridge Kilkenny 2 Kilberry, Kildare Kildare 2 Kildare Town WWTP Kildare 2 Nurney Carlow 3 Investigate the need for tertiary treatment or for the relocation of the outfall. OldLeighlin Carlow 2 Kildare Town WWTP Kildare 1 Commence implementation of the Pollution Reduction Programme for Shellfish waters Ballylinan WWTP Laois 1 Implement an appropriate performance Paulstown Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 1 Implement an appropriate performance Kildare Town WWTP Kildare 1 Implement an appropriate performance Mortarstown WWTP Carlow 2 Investigation of CSO's Portarlington WWTP Laois 2 Investigation of CSO's Kildare Town WWTP Kildare 3 Investigation of CSO's Clonmore Carlow 2 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not Mortarstown WWTP Carlow 2 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not Nurney Carlow 3 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not Nurney WWTP Kildare 3 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not Gowran Sewerage Scheme WWTP Kilkenny 3 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not Kildare Town WWTP Kildare 2 Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not

River Data This table outlines water body information including status and a breakdown of its elements, protected areas, objectives and timescales. Member State Code Barrow Main Water Management Unit Action Plan Monitored Y (Extrapolated N) Donor Waterbody IE_SE_BarrowMain Biological Elements Supporting Elements Protected Areas Macroinvertebrate s (Q) FreshWater Pearl Mussel Fish Phytobenthos (Diatoms) Morphology SE_14_1045 N SE_14_301 G Y GES 2009 SE_14_1102 N SE_14_951 P GES 2021 SE_14_1131 Y G G Y GES 2009 SE_14_1258 N SE_14_1278 P GES 2021 SE_14_1261 N SE_14_1418 G Y GES 2009 SE_14_1283 Y G M M Y GES 2015 SE_14_1287 Y G G GES 2009 SE_14_1288 Y M H M GES 2021 SE_14_1304 Y G G G GES 2009 SE_14_1374 Y G H G GES 2009 SE_14_1382 Y M H M Y GES 2021 SE_14_1383 Y G H G Y GES 2009 SE_14_1391 N SE_14_951 P GES 2021 SE_14_1418 Y G G GES 2009 SE_14_1482 Y G M M GES 2015 SE_14_1484 N SE_14_50 G GES 2009 SE_14_1485 N SE_14_1382 M GES 2015 SE_14_1490 Y G G G GES 2009 SE_14_1556 N SE_14_1781 M GES 2021 SE_14_1610 N SE_14_999 P GES 2021 SE_14_1660 N SE_14_1288 M GES 2021 SE_14_1663 Y M H M Y GES 2021 SE_14_1687 N SE_14_1374 G GES 2009 SE_14_1721 N SE_14_1382 M GES 2021 SE_14_1746 Y M H M Y GES 2021 SE_14_1770 N SE_14_1875 M GES 2021 SE_14_1830 Y M M GES 2021 SE_14_1869 N SE_14_1875 M GES 2021 SE_14_1879 Y B G B Y GES 2021 SE_14_1942 N SE_14_572 M GES 2021 SE_14_196_1 Y P M P Y Y Y GES 2021 SE_14_196_2 Y M G M Y Y GES 2021 SE_14_196_3 Y G G G Y Y GES 2009 SE_14_196_4 Y M G M Y Y GES 2021 SE_14_196_5 Y G G G Y Y GES 2009 SE_14_196_6 Y M G M Y Y GES 2015 SE_14_221 N SE_14_1781 M Y GES 2015 SE_14_434 N SE_14_842 P GES 2021 SE_14_488 N SE_14_1382 M GES 2021 SE_14_50 Y H G G Y GES 2009 SE_14_531 N SE_16_1502 G GES 2009 SE_14_572 Y M M M Y GES 2021 SE_14_676 N SE_14_951 P GES 2021 SE_14_689 N SE_14_1382 M GES 2021 SE_14_799 N SE_14_1383 G GES 2009 SE_14_81 N SE_14_1382 M GES 2021 SE_14_842 Y B M B GES 2021 SE_14_951 Y P P GES 2021 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