Surface Water and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
The Directive is implemented through The River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018 – 2021 (RBMP) 10 , published by the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government. This is the second cycle of plans produced under the WFD and sets out supporting measures to improve water quality in water bodies. The third RBMP, which will run from 2022 – 2028, is due to be published in December 2021. The core objective of the national RBMP is to protect and restore water quality to ‘good ecological status’ in our rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is a local authority shared service working with the 31 local authorities, relevant State agencies, stakeholders and communities, to help meet the requirements of the WFD to have a good standard at all natural waters by 2027. The Geological Survey of Ireland’s (GSI) National Aquifer, Vulnerability and Recharge maps provide information on groundwater quality, quantity and distribution and are a useful resource in terms of monitoring groundwater.
9.8 The traditional method of disposing of surface water runoff from impermeable surfaces such as roofs, roads and carparks is collection and redirection to drainage systems. This can result in localised flooding, higher waste treatment costs and the transfer of contaminants (such as oil from carparks) directly to water courses, resulting in pollution and affecting a river’s ability to recharge naturally. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) offer a more integrated approach to rainwater management. It involves a method of replicating the natural characteristics of rainfall runoff from any site, ensuring water is infiltrated or conveyed more slowly to the drainage system and ultimately to water courses via permeable paving, swales, green roofs, rain water harvesting, detention basins, ponds and wetlands. Chapter 5 Climate and Environment includes more detail in terms of the types of SUDS that can be used to achieve these goals. Where appropriate and possible, Cork City Council will encourage the use of SUDS and will prepare guidance on how SUDS can be applied to developments over the period of the plan.
Flood Risk
9.10 One of key outcomes of climate change and one which is of major significance to Cork City is the increased risk of flooding. Increased rainfall intensities, fluvial and pluvial floods and rising sea levels means that Cork City is particularly at risk of flooding. In terms of the need to consider flood risk as part of the plan preparation a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) has been carried out and is included as an Appendix. It is also important to note that this section needs to be read in conjunction with the Chapters 5 and 6 of this Plan. The challenge of addressing increased flooding, cannot be viewed in isolation and needs to incorporate measures to prevent or reduce flooding such as management of river catchments and provision of soft measures including SUDS and other flood management instruments. Careful consideration also needs to be given to wider environmental concerns such as the aquatic environment, built heritage and the recreational value rivers provide for urban and rural areas and the city to function as a place to live and do work.
Water Quality
9.9 This section should be read in conjunction with Chapter 6 Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity in terms of protection of aquatic habitats, the riparian corridor, river catchments and Cork Harbour. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to prevent deterioration of the status of all waters and to protect, enhance and restore them with the aim of achieving good status at a minimum. It also aims to achieve compliance with the requirements for designated protected areas.
10 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/429a79-river-basin-management-plan-2018-2021/
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 1 I Chapter 9
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