of these water bodies can be significantly improved by resolving the impacts from waste water; and • Cork City is identified as a priority area for upgrade works to collecting systems in order to protect the environment and address the findings of a 2019 judgement from the Court of Justice of the European Union. Cork City Council will work alongside and facilitate the delivery of Irish Water’s Water Investment Plan to support and facilitate the delivery of new or improved wastewater treatment plants in the City. Wastewater plans and projects for Cork City include proposed upgrades to the Carrigrenan WWTP (which serves much of the Plan area including City suburbs, Little Island, Glanmire and Glounthaune areas) treatment process to allow compliance with its Waste Licence and to cater for future population growth. There are separate treatment plants serving the urban towns of Ballincollig, Blarney/Tower and Kileens, as well as a number of smaller treatment plants serving settlements in the City’s hinterland. In unserviced areas and outside the main settlements, the main method of sewage disposal is by individual septic tanks and other types of wastewater treatment. Spare treatment capacity is identified as being available in most WWTPs serving the City.
Water Supply
The EPA publishes their results in annual reports that are supported by Remedial Action Lists (RALs). The RAL identifies water supplies that are not in compliance with the Regulations mentioned above. the most recent available RAL (Q4 of 2023) identifies two Cork City drinking water supplies: • The Glashaboy Water Supply is listed on the most recent EPA RAL due to EPA treatment and management issues. This Water Supply Scheme has a supply volume of 20,010 m3 /day, serving a population of 22,808 people. The upgrade of this plant is scheduled for completion in June 2025.
Waste Management
Waste management across the City is guided by the Southern Waste Management Plan 2015-2021. This has been evaluated in 2021. There is new National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy has launched and consultation was undertaken in 2023. This Plan sets out a framework for the prevention and management of waste in Ireland for the period 2023 to 2029.
Transport
Road and rail infrastructure in the City has the potential to support reductions in energy demand from the transport sector, including through electrification of modes.
Land
The Plan seeks to assist with the reuse and regeneration of brownfield sites thereby contributing towards sustainable mobility and reducing the need to develop greenfield lands and associated potential adverse environmental effects. Brownfield lands are generally located within urban/suburban areas. 3.7 Cultural Heritage
Archaeological Heritage
Archaeological heritage is protected under the National Monuments Acts (1930-2004), Natural Cultural Institutions Act 1997 and the Planning Acts. The Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) is an inventory,
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