WSNTG Annual Conference September 2007 Water Services National Training Group 11 th Annual Conference 6 th September 2007

WSNTG Annual Conference September 2007 Urban Waste Water – Monitoring and Reporting David Smith Inspector Environmental Protection Agency

Outline of Presentation Introduction Regulatory Framework Monitoring Findings & Compliance with Regulations Enforcement Measures Future Developments Recommendations

Regulatory Framework – Legislation EPA Act, 1992 and POE Act 2003 Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (S.I. 254 of 2001) Urban Waste Water Treatment (Amendment) Regulations, 2004 (S.I. 440 of 2004) The European Communities (Waste Water Treatment)(Prevention of Odours and Noise) Regulations (S.I. 787 of 2005)

EPA Report on Monitoring of Urban Waste Water Required under Section 61(3) of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, Required under Article 16 of the Directive Reports on the quality of effluents from plants >500 p.e. Level of treatment, performance, sewage sludge, enforcement & recommendations. Prepared from data submitted by local authorities.

Data Collection

2004/ Findings National Population Equivalent in 2005 = 5,627,456 p.e. 11% received no treatment (18% in 2002/2003) 5% received preliminary treatment (13% in 2002/2003) 2% received primary treatment (2% in 2002/2003) 70% received secondary treatment (58% in 2002/2003) 12% received nutrient reduction (9% in 2002/2003).

Waste water Facilities – Level of Treatment (%)

Report 2004/ Findings Large agglomerations with no secondary treatment: Bray/Shanganagh Howth/Baldoyle/Portmarnock (Partial) Balbriggan – new plant in commissioning Killybegs Sligo Waterford City

Number of Agglomerations and Population Equivalents Non-Sensitive and Sensitive Areas Class of AgglomerationNumberTotal population equivalent (p.e) % of Total population equivalent (p.e) 500 to 1,000 p.e , From 1,001 to 1,999 p.e , From 2,000 to 10,000 p.e , From 10,001 to 15,000 p.e , From 15,001 to 50,000 p.e , From 50,001 to 150,000 p.e. 8641, ,001 p.e. and above. 43,287, Total4785,627,456100

Compliance Rates 19% 38%

Monitoring Requirements

Enforcement Section 63 Notices Issued Failed Bathing Water (2004): 4 Odour Related Issues :10 Discharges from WWTPs : 13 Serious Pollution of Rivers from WWTP’s:10

Water Quality 2001/ Red Dot Sites Red Dot Sites (10 due to WWT)

EPA Inspections

Environmental Effects

All monitoring conducted in accordance with the Regulations Increased monitoring to meet minimum standards Licensing of trade effluents (DoEHLG Circular L08/03) Improvement in compliance rates for UWWT plants through better management Odour management plans Widespread application of performance management system Implementation of corrective action programmes at existing WWTP Recommendations

Future Developments Licensing of Urban Waste Water WFD – Monitoring Implications WISE - (EU Commission Reporting) Water Information System for Europe Streamline the reporting and sharing of information on the water environment between the Member States, the European Commission, the European Environment Agency (EEA), EUROSTAT and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), Urban Waste Water Reporting to be integrated

Thank You