4 Local Authority Involvement in Catchment Management. Ruth Hennessy

LOCAL AUTHORITY INVOLVEMENT IN CATCHMENT

MANAGEMENT CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT NETWORK

TULLAMORE 26 NOV 2016

CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT -

TIPPERARY 2 meetings – 27 sub-

catchments (Nore & Suir catchments)

Catchment Management - Story boards

1. Starting point for knowledge share

2. Review all water bodies from upstream to downstream, including tributaries

3. Reviews PIP maps to understand potential pressures & pathways

4. LA input: • WWTP data (up & downstream ,

SSRS) • Catchment work & measures

already implemented (e.g. WWTP upgrades, S4/ S12 improvements, farms etc)

• Hydromorphological pressures

5. Outcome: Agreed actions

FOR THE MEETINGS

• Additional water quality information – Water Services: upstream & downstream of UWWT discharges/ SWO – Pollution investigations – SSRS – etc

• Measures being implemented (or recently completed) – Water Services – UWWTP upgrades, SWO works, etc – S4 improvements – S12 measures – Septic tank (AN)

• Extensive maps of the county • EQS – status boundaries

Suir Catchment: Actions •EPA: 6 sub-catchments •TCC: 13 sub-catchments

EXAMPLES OF INVESTIGATIVE ASSESSMENTS

• Multeen catchment – High status – Trend: increased P concentrations – Investigative assessment 1 water body – review activities at S4 licence site

• Clashawley

– Trend: high P concentrations – EPA SCOP – UWWTP discharges (not supported by TCC data) – Investigative assessment – point sources u/s of UWWTP

• Ara

– Trend: v. high P – SCOP – agriculture & urban – Investigative assessment – all water bodies, aim to work through the water bodies to

identify and isolate tributaries with high inputs

ARA – INVESTIGATIVE ASSESSMENT

IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

• Improved focus for catchment management (pollution investigations) – systematic approach, better use of resources

• Allocation of Resources

– Normal regulatory inspections (Septic tanks, GAP, licensing etc) – WFD monitoring programme – Investigative assessment – Engagement

• RMCEI – quantify efforts

• Investigative assessments – capturing the efforts

IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

• “Cross-border” sub-catchments – Agreeing priorities & actions between LA

• Process to regularly review activities – At characterisation stage only? – Validate approach

THANK YOU