corrib water management unit action plan basin management... · the lough kip river flowing into...

Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan

78Number of river water bodies

Corrib

Water Management Unit

20Number of lake water bodies

Galway/MayoMain Counties

Western RBDRiver Basin District

1,146 km2Area

© Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. Licencenumber 2010/15CCMA/Galway County Council.

March 2010

River water bodies labelled on map

Sectoral Total Phosphorus Source(T his do es no t imply impact)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

AG

RIC

ULT

UR

E

AQ

UA

CU

LT

UR

E

BA

CK

GR

OU

ND

FO

RE

ST

RY

UN

SE

WE

_IN

D

UN

SE

WE

RE

D

UR

BA

N

WW

TP

PE

AT

LA

ND

%

Sectoral Total Phosphorus Source(This does not imply impact)


78Number of river water bodies

Corrib

Water Management Unit

20Number of lake water bodies

GalwayMain Counties

Western RBDRiver Basin District

1,146 km2Area

© Ordnance Survey Ireland. All rights reserved. Licencenumber 2010/15CCMA/Galway County Council.

March 2010

Lake water bodies labelled on map

Sectoral Total Phosphorus Source(T his do es no t imply impact)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

AG

RIC

ULT

UR

E

AQ

UA

CU

LT

UR

E

BA

CK

GR

OU

ND

FO

RE

ST

RY

UN

SE

WE

_IN

D

UN

SE

WE

RE

D

UR

BA

N

WW

TP

PE

AT

LA

ND

%

Sectoral Total Phosphorus Source(This does not imply impact)


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

pNHAs -27: Maumtrasna Mountain Complex, Maumturk Mountains, Altore Lake, Rathbaun Turlough, Ballymaglancy Cave - Cong, Lough Corrib, Killower Turlough, Turlough O'Gall, Belclare Turlough, Connemara Bog Complex, Lough

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


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)

IPPC Licensed Facilities -4: Jennings Wholesale, Glanbia Farms Ltd, Newbrook Ltd, Earrai Coillte Chonnacht Teoranta.

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.


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

Extensions Agriculture (Phosphorous Karst Groundwater) (2021)

IE_WE_30_609, IE_WE_30_975, IE_WE_30_1481, IE_WE_30_1964, IE_WE_30_3484,

IE_WE_30_3296, IE_WE_30_3542, IE_WE_30_2290, IE_WE_30_2013,

IE_WE_30_3219, IE_WE_30_3247, IE_WE_30_1231, IE_WE_30_1534,

IE_WE_30_1904

Extension Morphology (Overgrazing) (2021)

IE_WE_30_3107, IE_WE_30_2094

Extensions for Forestry (2027)

IE_WE_30_2013

Extensions required for wastewater infrastructure to be put in place (2021)

IE_WE_30_3396

Extensions for Status Recovery due to prolonged timescale for improvement due to measures to manifest (Poor and Bad status water bodies) (2021)

IE_WE_30_2862

Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan - Rivers

Status of river water bodies within the WMU

River water body status ( % number)

45%

21%

13%21%

High Good Moderate Poor Bad

River water body status ( % Length)

54%

19%

19%8%


2009HESYHHYWE_30_1464

2009GESYGGYWE_30_1463

2009GESYGWE_32_1767NWE_30_1380

2009HESHWE_31_1323NWE_30_137

2009HESYHWE_30_1464NWE_30_1364

2009GESGWE_30_3038NWE_30_1306

2009HESHWE_30_1351NWE_30_1299

2009HESHWE_30_1351NWE_30_1287

2009HESHWE_30_1351NWE_30_1286

2021GESYYPWE_30_1933NWE_30_1231

2009GESYYGHGYWE_30_1151

2009GESGGYWE_30_1096

2009HESHWE_30_1351NWE_30_1072

2009GESGWE_30_993NWE_30_1054

2009GESGWE_30_3093NWE_30_1024

Date objectiv

e to

be achieved

Objectiv

e

Drin

king W

ater

Nutrie

nt S

ensitiv

e W

aters

Special P

rotectio

n Area

Special A

rea of C

onservatio

n

Chemical S

tatus

Ecological S

tatus

Physio-chemical

Specific

Polutants

Morphology

Phytobenthos (D

iatoms)

Fish

FreshWater P

earl M

ussel

Macroinverte

brates (Q

)

Donor W

aterbody

Monito

red Y (E

xtra

polated N)

Member State Code

Protected AreasSupporting ElementsBiological Elements

IE_WE_Corrib

Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan - Rivers

2009GESGWE_30_3038NWE_30_2709

2015GESYMHMHYWE_30_2703

2009HESHTBCNWE_30_2684


2009GESGGYWE_30_262

2009GESGWE_30_2928NWE_30_2617

2009GESYGWE_30_201NWE_30_2601

2009GESYGWE_30_3038NWE_30_2598


2021GESYPWE_30_1534NWE_30_2290

2009HESHWE_31_1323NWE_30_2283

2009GESYGWE_31_163NWE_30_2197

2021GESYPPYWE_30_2094

2009HESYHWE_30_1464NWE_30_2092

2009HESYHTBCNWE_30_2037


2009GESGGYWE_30_2025


2027GESPPYWE_30_2013

2009GESGWE_30_2025NWE_30_2012


2009GESGGGYWE_30_1966

2021GESMWE_30_2353NWE_30_1964

2009GESYYGWE_30_1096NWE_30_196

2009GESYGWE_30_1966NWE_30_1952

2021GESYYPPYWE_30_1904

2009GESGWE_30_2928NWE_30_1903

2015GESYMMYWE_30_1900


2021GESYPHPYWE_30_1534

2015GESYMMYWE_30_1531

2021GESYMWE_30_1531NWE_30_1481

Date objectiv

e to

be achieved

Objectiv

e

Drin

king W

ater

Nutrie

nt S

ensitiv

e W

aters

Special P

rotectio

n Area

Special A

rea of C

onservatio

n

Chemical S

tatus

Ecological S

tatus

Physio-chemical

Specific

Polutants

Morphology

Phytobenthos (D

iatoms)

Fish

FreshWater P

earl M

ussel

Macroinverte

brates (Q

)

Donor W

aterbody

Monito

red Y (E

xtra

polated N)

Member State Code


IE_WE_Corrib

Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan –Rivers (cont)

2009GESYYGHGHYWE_30_993

2021GESYMWE_30_3484NWE_30_975

2021GESMWE_30_2353NWE_30_609

2009GESYGWE_30_993NWE_30_3594

2021GESYMWE_30_3396NWE_30_3542

2009GESGWE_30_2928NWE_30_3520

2021GESMMYWE_30_3484

2015GESYYMWE_30_2684NWE_30_3479

2009GESYYGGGYWE_30_3419

2015GESYMWE_32_637NWE_30_3403

2021GESYYMHMGYWE_30_3396

2009HESYHWE_30_1464NWE_30_3351

2021GESMWE_30_2353NWE_30_3296

2015GESYMWE_30_1531NWE_30_3278

2009GESYGWE_30_3038NWE_30_326

2021GESPWE_30_1534NWE_30_3247

2021GESYYPWE_30_1933NWE_30_3219

2009GESYGWE_30_3038NWE_30_3173

2009GESYYGWE_30_2681NWE_30_3143

2021GESYYYPHPYWE_30_3107


2015GESYMWE_30_2703NWE_30_3016


2009GESGGGYWE_30_2928

2021GESYPWE_32_678NWE_30_2862

2015GESYMWE_30_2703NWE_30_2819

2009GESGWE_30_3038NWE_30_2818

2009HESHTBCNWE_30_280

2009GESYGWE_30_202NWE_30_2788

2009GESGWE_30_993NWE_30_2786

2009GESYGWE_32_1767NWE_30_2731

Date objectiv

e to

be achieved

Objectiv

e

Drin

king W

ater

Nutrie

nt S

ensitiv

e W

aters

Special P

rotectio

n Area

Special A

rea of C

onservatio

n

Chemical S

tatus

Ecological S

tatus

Physio-chemical

Specific

Polutants

Morphology

Phytobenthos (D

iatoms)

Fish

FreshWater P

earl M

ussel

Macroinverte

brates (Q

)

Donor W

aterbody

Monito

red Y (E

xtra

polated N)

Member State Code


IE_WE_Corrib

Lake water body status (No. %)

45%

15%

40%


Lake water body status (Area %)

98.2%

1.5%0.2%


Corrib Water Management Unit Action Plan - Lakes

Status of lake water bodies within WMU

2015GESYYYGMGGMHHYCorrib Upper (Lough)WE_30_666b

2015GESYYYGMGGMHGYCorrib Lower (Lough)WE_30_666a

2009HESYHHHHHYLoughanillaunWE_30_348

2015GESYMNLoughaphreaghaunWE_30_346

2015GESYGMGGMHMYRoss LakeWE_30_345

2015GESYGMGGMGGYLettercraffroe LoughWE_30_344

2009HESYGHHHHHHYMaumwee LoughWE_30_343

2015GESYMMMYBhaile Ui Choirc ( Loch )WE_30_340

2009GESYGNParkyflaherty ( Lough )WE_30_336

2009HESYHHHHHYBofin ( Lough )WE_30_335

2009HESYHNAgraffard ( Lough )WE_30_334

2009HESYHNWE_30_326

2009HESYHNAcogga ( Lough )WE_30_325

2021GESYMNLee ( Lough )WE_30_322

2009GESGNBuffy LoughWE_30_315

2009HESHNLoughaunierinWE_30_313

2009HESYHNKip ( Lough )WE_30_303

2015GESMNCarras LoughWE_30_301

2009GESYGNWE_30_290

2009HESYHNAdrehid ( Lough )WE_30_215

Date objectiv

e

to be achieved

Objectiv

e

Drin

king

Water

Bathing W

ater

Nutrie

nt

Sensitiv

e

Waters

Special

Protectio

n

Area

Special A

rea

of

Conservatio

n

Chemical

Status

Ecological

Status

Physico

Chemical

Nutrie

nt

Enric

hment

Morphology

Fish

Chlorophyll

Macrophytes

Monito

red Y

(Extra

polated

N)

NameMember State Code


IE_WE_Corrib

corrib water management unit action plan basin management... · the lough kip river flowing into...

Documents