Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan Basin Management... · The Lough Kip river flowing into Ballycuirke Lough is classed as Good (based on the recent EPA biological monitoring).
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Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan
STATUS/IMPACTS
Overall status Approximately 66% of rivers within the WMU are at high or good status with the remaining 34% at moderate or poor status. There are 20 lakes within the WMU with 60 % at High or good status and 40% at moderate status. Lough Corrib Upper and Lower is classified at moderate status.
Status elements Q score (macroinvertebrates) and fish status dictates majority of river waterbody status within the WMU. There is no chemical monitoring data available. There are 9 lakes out of the 20 within the WMU that are monitored, for those lakes classified as moderate, introduced fish species predominantly drive the status classification. Macrophytes, nutrients, chlorophyll status and expert opinion also drive the status classification mainly for the good or high status classification.
Status of the main rivers within the Corrib WMU
The Corrib WMU includes Lough Corrib and the following prIncipal rivers: Bealnabrack, Failmore, Joyce’s rivers flowing into the northwestern part of the lake, the Cornamona river (Dooghta) also flowing in from the north west, the Folore, Owenree and Owenwee rivers draining Loughanillan and Tawnabeg Lough into the Corrib, the Owenriff (including the Bunowen) draining Loughs Bofin, Agraffard and Lettercrafroethrough Oughterard, Ballycuirke river and lake draining into lower Lough Corrib, the Corrib river draining Lough Corrib into the Corrib Estuary in Galway Bay and the the Cregg and Black (Shrule) rivers flowing in from the east.
The most recent EPA status classifications for these rivers indicates that only 8% of all river channel length is of High status and 54% is classed as Good. The remainder are classed as Moderate (19%) or Poor (19%).
BEALNABRACK: The Bealnabrack river main channel is classed as Poor status (based on biological monitoring). In its upper reaches, which drain the Maumturk Mountains, the main channel is generally Good as is its upper tributary the Glenglosh river although one small section of this is at Poor status. The Failmore river , which is a tributary of the Bealnabrack joining it shortly before Lough Corrib has been classed as
Moderate in its lower reaches but High and Good in it supper reaches. Joyce’s river has also largely been classed as Good.
CORNAMONA (DOOGHTA): This river flows into Lough Corrib through Cornamona, the river is at Good status along its length and at High status in its upper reaches.
OWENRIFF (CORRIB): The Owenriff river catchment includes a significant portion of the Connemara Bog Complex SAC/NHA in its upper catchment and the Lough Corrib SAC in the lower main river channel. The Lough Corrib cSAC in the Owenriff river has been designated for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel species protected under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive. This species is particularly sensitive to silt, turbidity and nutrient enrichment. Filamentous algae are also causing ongoing problems particularly in the Oughterard stretch of the river. The river has seen a decline in the FPM population since 2004 and a specific Sub-basin Freshwater Pearl Mussel Plan for this river catchment has been prepared to protect the FPM species. The most recent EPA biological assessment of the river indicates the following:
The Derrygauna river which flows into Loughaphreagaun in the upper catchment is classed at Moderate status due to the unfavourable conservation status of the FPM population located there. The Glashanasmearany river flowing between Loughaphreagaun and Lough Bofin has been classed as High status. The main Owenriff channel between Lough Bofin and Lough Adrehid, between Adrehid and Agraffard and down to Oughterard has been classed as Moderate again due to the unfavourable conservation status of the FPM. Biological sampling of other indicative species indicates that the Owenriff is generally good with good fish stock but the overriding factor in determining its status is the conservation status of the FPM. The upper reaches of the Glengawbeg, draining Lettercraffroe Lough is classed as High status as are the smaller tributaries flowing from Shannaghree Lough and through Rusheeny townland. The Bunowen, another tributary of the Owenriff was classed as Moderate.
BALLYCUIRKE : The Ballycuirke river drains out of Ballycuirke Lough into the Lower Corrib. The Lough Kip river flowing into Ballycuirke Lough is classed as Good (based on the recent EPA biological monitoring). However, the Ballycuirke Lough stream which flows from Ross lake through a series of small lakes to Ballycuirke Lough is also classed as Poor (based on extrapolated land use impact). The Knockbane river which flows into Ross Lake is classed as Good and the small river which flows into Ross Lake from Knockafrin Lough is classed as Moderate. The Ballycuirke river flows into the Old Corrib River channel and joins the main Corrib river at the Friars Cut. This section of the river is classed as Poor (on the basis of biological assessment).
CORRIB River: The main channel of the Corrib river from Lough Corrib to the Corrib Estuary is classed as at Good status (biological assessment). The Terryland river which flows out of the Corrib river at Jordans Island and flows underground at Castlegar is classed as Poor status. This river is believed to emerge at Lough Atalia and at Oranmore.
BLACK (SHRULE): The Black (Shrule) River is classed as Good over most of its length with two small sections classed as Moderate (At Carrowmore townland and flowing into and out of Lough Lee s small lake)
HEADFORD River: This river flowing through Headford is classed as Moderate based on recent biological monitoring.
CREGG River: This river, which flows into Lower Lough Corrib, is classed as Good status in general with one small tributary (Waterdale river) classed as Moderate.
FPM – 1: Catchment – Owenriff
SACs -12: Galway Bay Complex, Lough Corrib, Ballymaglancy Cave, Cloughmoyne, Clyard kettle-Holes, Shrule Turlough, Gortnandarragh Limestone Pavement, Ross Lake and Woods, Mochorha Lough,
Maumturk Mountains, Connemara Bog Complex, Kildun Souterrain.
SPAs -2: Inner Galway Bay SPA and Lough Corrib SPA.
HAs - 2 Oughterard District Bog NHA, Moycullen Bogs NHA
Hacket, Knockmaa Hill, Rostaff Turlough, Castle Hackett Souterrain, Turlough Monaghan, Turloughcor, Oughterard National School, Gortnandarragh Limestone Pavement, Ross Lake And Woods, Drimcong Wood, Ballycuirke Lough, Killarainy Lodge, Moycullen, Galway Bay Complex, Clyard Kettle-Holes, Mocorha Lough, Shrule Turlough, Cloughmoyne.
Nutrient Sensitive Surface Water (UWWT Directive) - none
Drinking waters -2 Upper and Lower Lough Corrib.
Bathing Waters - None.
Shellfish Waters - None.
PROTECTED AREAS
Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan
There are 11,021 OSWTS within the WMU Boundary, 10,867 OSWTS lie within 78 river water bodies. Within the river water bodies 3,671 OSWTS constitute a potential risk to waters because of where they are sited and constitute a risk to 11 water bodies. The remainder of OSWTS lie in the coastal area between the river water bodies and the seashore and may pose a risk to estuarine and coastal water quality and protected areas. At risk RWB’sWE_30_609, WE_30_1952, WE_30_2290, WE_30_1481, WE_30_1964, WE_30_2681, WE_30_2025, WE_30_3484, WE_30_1966, WE_30_3542, WE_30_1534.
On-site systems
There are 8 water bodies determined to be at risk from forestry within WMU : IE_WE_30_1096 ,IE_WE_30_2037, IE_WE_30_2035, IE_WE_30_2684, IE_WE_30_3396 ,IE_WE_30_296, IE_WE_30_1531, IE_WE_30_2013
Forestry
There are 2 water bodies that may be at risk from sheep dipping activities within WMU: IE_WE_30_3219, IE_WE_30_1231Dangerous substances
19 water bodies have been determined to be at risk from Morphology within WMU: IE_WE_30_609, IE_WE_30_975, IE_WE_30_3419, IE_WE_30_1952, IE_WE_30_1481, IE_WE_30_1964, IE_WE_30_256, IE_WE_30_2681, IE_WE_30_1903, IE_WE_30_2025, IE_WE_30_3484, IE_WE_30_2617, IE_WE_30_2928, IE_WE_30_1151, IE_WE_30_1966, IE_WE_30_3219, IE_WE_30_3296, IE_WE_30_1231, IE_WE_30_3520
Morphology
There are 6 water bodies (all part of the Corrib) that have been determined to be at risk from abstraction within the WMU; IE_WE_30_609, (County Galway), IE_WE_30_3419, IE_WE_30_3484, (County Galway) IE_WE_30_975, IE_WE_30_2013, (County Galway) IE_WE_30_2681 (County Galway)
Abstractions
8 water bodies have been determined to be at risk from agriculture within WMU : IE_WE_30_609, IE_WE_30_975, IE_WE_30_1481, IE_WE_30_1964, IE_WE_30_3484, IE_WE_30_3219, IE_WE_30_3296, IE_WE_30_1231.
Agriculture
Quarries - 8: 5 quarries in Galway and 3 in Mayo. 3 water bodies at risk from quarries: IE_WE_30_975, IE_WE_30_3419, IE_WE_30_2290.
Landfills – none
Mines -none
Quarries, Mines & Landfills
Headford WWTP - New plant in place since 2007.
Moycullen WWTP - ensure capacity of treatment plant is not exceeded.
Oughterard WWTP - risks to water quality relate to insufficient WWTP capacity. A new treatment plant, capacity 4,750 p.e., to be completed by 2012. Plant requires capital works
Cong WWTP - Plant requires implementation of performance management system.
Shrule WWTP - Plant requires implementation of performance management system.
Kilmaine WWTP – ensure capacity of treatment plant is not exceeded.
Section 4s- No risks
No perceived risks from Mayo WWTP’s within WMU.
Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and Industrial Discharges
PRESSURES/RISKS
Nutrient sources Over 90% of Total Phosphorus is diffuse in nature with agriculture accounting for over 80% of TP.
Point pressures WWTP – 8: Headford WWTP, Moycullen WWTP, Oughterard WWTP, Cong WWTP, Shrule WWTP. Kilmaine WWTP, Cross WWTP and Mutton Island – Galway City. The NealeWWTP will be constructed in 2010 (funding dependant from DEHLG).
Section 4 Licensed Facilities - 11 all within the Galway portion of the WMU)
WTP – 4: Cornamona WTP, Luimnagh WTP (Tuam RWSS), Oughterard WTP, Cong WTP. There are some Group Water Schemes abstractions within the Mayo portion of the WMU
Other No HMWB.
1 AWB within WMU - Eglinton Canal IE_WE_AWB_EGC which flows through the waterbody
IE_WE_30_3419.
Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan
SELECTED ACTION PROGRAMMENB All relevant basic measures and general supplementary measures/surveys apply
Point Sources The UWWTD Regulations will apply to the WWTP within the WMU and the Water Pollution Acts and IPPC Directive will apply to the industrial discharges.
Oughterard WWTP has been identified as a priority for Water Framework Directive purposes. Oughterard WWTP has insufficient WWTP capacity and has insufficient assimilative capacity in the receiving water.
Investigation of sewage and trade discharges and licence review where appropriate will also be carried out. The following Point source supplementary measures have been suggested for certain river water bodies within the WMU for municipal and industrial pressures: Development control, investigate wastewater, verification of risk, decision making tools, and relocation of outfall.
Diffuse Sources Particular measures will be required to address diffuse pollution pressures from agriculture such as the Good Agricultural Practices Regulations investigations and enforcement. Supplementary measures apply within WMU for septic tanks (OSWWTS) including compliance with the new binding EPA Code of Practice for Wastewater Treatment Systems and Disposal Systems.
In relation to existing unsewered properties, improvements are required regarding the operational performance, maintenance and monitoring arrangements of septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems serving such properties. In response, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government intends to bring forward and consult on proposals for legislation during 2010. It is intended that this legislation will be in place by quarter 3 of 2010. The proposed legislation will provide standards for the performance, operation and maintenance of septic tanks and similar on-site wastewater treatment systems. It will also provide for the monitoring and inspection of the performance of such treatment systems and will set out the responsibilities of households served by those systems, including requirements to carry out remedial actions where necessary.
Forestry supplementary measures include the following supplementary measures for both eutrophication and sedimentation pressures: riparian zone management, enhanced sediment control and drainage management.
Other The Freshwater Pearl Mussel Sub Basin Management Plan and proposed measures will key to the selected action programme for the Owenriff.
Overgrazing rehabilitation measures to assist recovery from impact due to channelisation
on WE_30_3107, WE_Corrib_Bealnabrack_Breenaun, and WE_30_2094,
WE_Corrib_Joyce's_Derreen(RossBy)
OBJECTIVES
Good status 2015
Alternative Objectives
Heavily Modified/Artificial water bodies - 1 AWB within WMU - Eglinton Canal