SEA Environmental Report Appendix III: Non-Technical Summary
In order to comply with European Directives relating to air quality, the EPA manages the National Ambient Air Quality Network and measures the levels of a number of atmospheric pollutants at locations across the country. The current 12 air quality within the City is identified by the EPA as being good . 3.8 Material Assets Other material assets, in addition to those referred to below, covered by the SEA include archaeological and architectural heritage (see Section 3.9) natural resources of economic value, such as water and air (see Sections 3.6 and 1.1). Public Assets and Infrastructure Public assets and infrastructure that have the potential to be impacted upon by the Plan, if unmitigated, include; settlements; resources such as public open spaces, parks and recreational areas; public buildings and services; transport and utility infrastructure (electricity, gas, telecommunications, water supply, wastewater infrastructure etc.); forestry; and natural resources that are covered under other topics such as water and soil. Waste Water The EPA’s 2020 report ‘Urban Wastewater Treatment in 2019’ identified that: Wastewater treatment at 19 towns and cities (including Cork City ) did not meet European standards for the treatment of urban wastewater in 2018; and Wastewater from 48 areas (including Cork City ) is the main significant pressure on waters at risk of pollution. 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 with the following levels of headroom (PE) 13 available: Carrigrennan WWTP (122,180 PE); Ballinacollig WWTP (10,493 PE); Blarney WWTP (5,345 PE); Rosemount, Kilcully WWTP (6 PE); and Kileens WWTP (potential availability). 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 2020 published in January 2021) 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 m 3 /day, serving a population of 22,808 people. The upgrade of this plant is scheduled for completion in June 2024. The Cork City 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 42,733 m 3 /day, serving a population of 87,114 people. The proposed plan of action to remedy this issue is to upgrade the Water Treatment Plant by December 2021. Waste Management Waste management across the City is guided by the Southern Waste Management Plan 2015-2021.
12 27/04/2021 (http://www.epa.ie/air/quality/) 13 WWTPs are described in terms of their designed treatment capacity, which is generally expressed as population equivalent (PE). This is a measurement of total organic biodegradable load, including industrial, institutional, commercial and domestic organic load, on a wastewater treatment plant, converted to the equivalent number of PEs. One person is considered to generate 60g of five-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) per day. 1 PE is defined as being equivalent to 60g of BOD per day.
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CAAS for Cork City Council
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