C o n s u l t i n g E n g i n e e r s

b I l m - TOBIN Patr~ck J. Tobm & Co. Lid

23 July, 2009

Mr Patrick Morris Cl0 Administration Office of Climate, Licensing & Resource Use Environmental Protection Agency

McCurniskey House Richview Clonskeagh Road DUBLIN 14

Re: D0257-01 Slane Aqalomeration Notice in Accordance with Reaulation 18(3)(b), Waste Water Discharqe (Authorisation) Requlations 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007). dated 03 June 2009

Dear Mr Morris,

I refer to your Notice in Accordance with Regulation 18(3)(b) Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 which issued to Mr. Gerry Boyle, Meath County Council, dated 03 June 2009, in

relation to Slane Agglomeration (EPA Reference No. D0257-01).

The notice requested the supply of seventeen points of outstanding information, to allow Article 16 Compliance. The seventeen points of information requested and our response to each are presented

below:

Directors: D.A. Domes (Chairman) L.E. Waldran (Managing Dlreclor) M.F. Garrick R.F. Tobln J. Colleran B.J. Downes S. Finlay P.J. Fogarty

D. Grehan J.P. Keily B.M. Mulligan B. Murray C. O'Keeffe F. Renkerna (Dutch) E.J. Harrigan (Company Secretary)

Associates: T. Cannon P. Cioonan D. Conneran M. Conray T. Curran 0. Downes B. Gaffney B. Gailagher B. Heaney (( B. Hutchinson D. Kennedy M. McDonnell C. McGovern E. McPartlin G. Stevenson

CO. Reg. No. 42654 - Regislered Office: Fairgreen House, Fairgreen Road, Galway, Ireland.

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Section A: Non-Technical Summarv

1. Update the non-technical summary to reflect the information provided in response to

this notice.

Please find appended to this correspondence an updated non-technical summary, which reflects the

information provided in this response (Refer to Appendix A).

Section C: Infrastructure and Operation

2. Clarify the correct 2009 and 2015 population equivalent as both 1,786 p.e. and 1,882 p.e. are provided for 2009 and both 2,135 p.e. and 2,246 p.e. are provided for 2015 in

the application.

The correct 2009 population equivalent is 1,786 p.e. The correct 2015 population equivalent is 2,135 p.e.

3. Provide design discharge concentrations (BOD, COD, Suspended Solids, Total

Nitrogen as N, Ammonia as N and Total Phosphorus as P) for the waste water treatment plant and the rotating biological contactor (RBC).

The existing (traditional) wastewater treatment Plant was constructed and commissioned during the late eighties, hence the plant was designed to meet Royal Commission 20:30 Standards, (the design criteria current at that time).

Slane (Older) Wastewater Treatment Plant - Design Discharge Concentrations

f c01 - Parameter

BOD Design Discharge

The existing Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) wastewater treatment Plant was constructed and

commissioned approximately two years ago, hence the plant is required to meet Urban Waste Water Treatment Standards. Meath County Council are currently sourcing data with regards to design

discharge concentrations for this unit and this information will be forwarded to the Agency as soon as possible.

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COD

Total Suspended Solids

Total Nitrogen (as N)

Ammonia (as N)

Total Phosphorus (as P)

no concentration specified

30.0

no concentration specified

no concentration specified

no concentration specified

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4. Justify your conclusion that the storm water overflow complies with the definition of a storm water overflow as per 'Procedures and Criteria for Storm Water Overflows',

published by the Dept. of the Environment, 1995 as stated in Table E.l(ii), be. provide details of any hydraulic modelling, discharge monitoring/inspection data or design frequency of storm water overflow.

In Section G.4 of the original application, we confirmed (as requested in that application) that the storm water overflow complies with the definition of 'storm water overflow' as per Regulation 3 of the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007, that definition being:

"Interpretation 3.... "storm water oveflow" means a structure or device on a sewerage system designed and

constructed for the purpose of relieving the system of excess flows that arise as a result of rain water or melting snow in the sewered catchment, the excess flow being discharged to receiving waters;"

The 'Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) - Procedures and Criteria in relation to

Storm Water Overf/ows' document [DoEHLG, 19951 does not contain a formal definition of 'storm water overflow' hence we have not referred to any definition contained therein.

There is currently no data available with regards to hydraulic modelling, discharge monitoringlinspection data or design discharge frequency of the storm water overflow at Slane.

5. Clarify type of effluent sampling facilities (including flow rate) provided at the primary discharge point. Describe the separate flow monitoring to be provided to the RBC, if

any.

Both influent and effluent samples are currently obtained via grab sampling techniques. Influent I effluent sampling is undertaken six times per annum. Separate flow monitoring facilities are in place both at the inlet to the main plant and at the inlet to the RBC plant.

6. Clarify if the septic tank percolation area satisfies the criteria set out in the 'Wastewater

Treatment Manual, Treatment Systems for Small Communities, Business, Leisure Centres and Hotels,' published by the Environmental Protection Agency. Provide

details of date of septic tank installation and maintenance schedules and records.

From available records it would appear that the septic tank was installed circa 1964. There are no formal maintenance records available for this unit, however Meath County Council undertake routine desludging of the unit as required.

There are no available records of the extent or location of a percolation area. The 'Wastewater Treatment Manual, Treatment Systems for Small Communities, Business, Leisure Centres and

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Hotels,'was published by the Environmental Protection Agency during 1999, some 35 years following the installation of this treatment unit.

7. Clarify the arrangement for out of hours supervision of the waste water treatment plant.

Slane Wastewater treatment plant is not currently equipped with a telemetry system to cater for out of hours supervision.

Section D: Discharues to the Aquatic Environment

8. Provide date(s) when all monitoring as reported h Table D.l(i)(b) and Table D.I(i)(c)

was carried out.

Monitoring on the Slane Primary Discharge Point, as reported on Table D.l(i)(b) and Table D.l(i)(c) of Slane Waste Water Discharge Licence Application was carried out on 15/01/09.

Section E: Monitoring

9. There was no assimilative capacity calculations submitted in the application. Provide assimilative capacity calculations (BOD, Total Nitrogen as N, Ammonia as N,

Orthophosphate) for the primary discharge.

Please refer to Appendix B and C for waste assimilative capacity calculations.

70. Clarify why the temperature reading was 0°C on primary, upstream and downstream

monitoring.

The temperature reading was recorded as 0°C on Primary Discharge Point Monitoring (Table

D.l(i)(b)), Surface Water Monitoring Downstream of Primary Discharge Point - aSW-Id (Table F.l(i)(a) and Surface Water Monitoring Upstream of Primary Discharge Point - aSW-lu (Table F.l(i)(a), as a default value since temperature was not recorded at the time of sampling at these locations. Ideally, the temperature reading should have been left blank, but the EPA Web Based

Data Input Tool would not allow any blank inputs, so a zero (0) reading was submitted in its place.

11. Provide primary discharge monitoring data for 2009 to date. (BOD, COD, Total Suspended Solids, Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Ammonia).

The Primary Discharge Monitoring Data for 2009 to date is attached in Appendix D, for BOD, COD,

Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Phosphorus (Tot P) and Total Nitrogen (Tot N). Ammonia concentrations have not been recorded to date.

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12. Provide an explanation why primary discharge monitoring indicates that BOD exceeded 25mg/l during 2007 and Suspended Solids exceeded 35mg/l during 2007 and 2008 (Attachment E4).

The Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 sets the following discharge limits for treated

effluent from Urban Waste Water Treatment Plants: BOD <25mg/1 and Total Suspended Solids

<35mg/I.

The BOD concentration in the primary discharge from Slane WWTP exceeded the above limit (25mgIl) in 2007 on 2 no. monitoring occasions. The concentrations recorded were 36.4mgll in May 2007 and 35.5mg11 in October 2007. These concentrations are not regarded as extreme elevations in concentrations. There were no limit exceedences recorded in the primary discharge for 2008, nor have any exceedences been recorded for 2009, to date. The primary discharge samples collected

from Slane are grab samples and are thus not representative of the daily average concentrations in

the treated effluent for these dates.

The Suspended Solids concentration in the primary discharge from Slane WWTP exceeded the above limit (35mgll) in 2007 & 2008 on 4 no. monitoring occasions. The concentrations recorded were 108mgll in May 2007, 36.4mgll in September 2007, 46.4mgll in October 2007 and 52mgll in

July 2008. One limit exceedence has been recorded in 2009, to date (66mgll in January 2009). As stated above, the primary discharge samples collected from Slane are grab samples and are thus not

representative of the daily average concentrations in the treated effluent for these dates. The above exceedences in Suspended Solids may be related to a period of heavy rainfall, with a high inflow to

the plant. High suspended solids arising from a period of heavy rainfall would also bring about elevated BOD levels as seen above.

Section F: Existinq Environment & Impact of the Discharqels)

13. Determine is there is likely to be a significant impact from the waste water discharges (primary and storm overflows) on the Natura 2000 site (SAC). You shall use the flow

diagram in Circular U08, issued by Water Services Section, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to assist in this determination. Provide answers to each question on this flow diagram in addition to the final answer. If there is likely to be a significant impact on the Natura 2000 site, based on the flow diagram

referenced above, then you must undertake an appropriate assessment. An Agency guidance note on Appropriate Assessment is available on http://wwwepa.ie/downloads/forms/lic/wwda/. This assessment should address the

impacts of the waste water discharges and proposed mitigation measures with respect to the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 site in the vicinity of the waste water

discharges. A copy of the circular is attached.

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As discussed in Attachment F. l(H) of Slane Wastewater Discharge Licence Application:

"All three emission points (SW-1, SW-2 & SW-3) discharge to the River Boyne, which is designated a

pNHA and a SAC at this location:

Designation Type Sife Code Site Name

PNHA 001592 Boyne Woods

SAC 002299 River Boyne & Blackwater

The discharges are in existence for some time and do not appear to be having a negative effect on

the water quality in the River Boyne. It is therefore not expected that the discharges are having any

negative affect on the surrounding ecology (aquatic)':

As part of the Slane Wastewater Discharge Licence Application, the National Parks &Wildlife Service

(NPWS) were contacted, through the Development Applications Unit of the Department of

Environment, Heritage & Local Government, to scope whether an Ecological Assessment or an

Appropriate Assessment of the impacts of the emissions was required. There has been no response

to this letter, to this date.

As requested by the EPA in their Regulation 18(3)(b) Notice (which this document responds to), the 'Flow Diagram' in Appendix 1 of the 'Circular L8/08 - Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes - Protection of Natural Heritage and National Monuments', issued by Water Services Section, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, was used to determine if there

is likely to be a significant impact from the waste water discharges on the Nature 2000 site (i.e. River Boyne = River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC, Site Code 002299).

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Flow Diaqram:

Question 1: Is the development in a nature conservation site?

Answer 1: No

l Question 2a (if the development involves a surface water abstraction I discharge): Is

the development in the surface water catchment of a nature conservation site (or part of such a site)?

Answer 2a: Yes

l f

Question 3: Are the qualifying habitats and species of the site water dependent?

Answer 3: Yes

l Question 5: Is there a WFD sub-basin plan for the site or its protected habitatslspecies?

Answer 5: No

CO 3; clusion: ASSESS IMPACTS

Therefore, based on the flow diagram above, there is a possibility of significant impact on the Natura 2000 site, and as such the impacts must be assessed by means of an 'Appropriate Assessment'.

The Appropriate Assessment will entail preparing a full assessment and statement of the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts on the Natura 2000 site and its conservation objectives. The Appropriate Assessment will also include measures to avoid or mitigate the impact.

It is proposed that a Senior Ecologist from TOBlN Consulting Engineers will complete the required Appropriate Assessment over the coming weeks, and once complete, the final report will issue to the EPA in support of the Slane Wastewater Discharge Licence Application.

14. Provide an explanation why Suspended Solids concentrations exceeded 35mg/l in

upstream and downstream monitoring o f both the primary discharge and o f the secondary discharge.

As part of the Slane Wastewater Discharge Licence Application, a once-off grab sampling event was carried out on the 15/01/2009 in the receiving waters (River Boyne) upstream and downstream of the

Discharge Points (Primary SW1 & Secondary SW2). This sampling event recorded elevated concentrations for Suspended Solids (as shown on Tables F.l(i)(A), of the Slane Wastewater

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Discharge Licence Application). A Suspended Solids concentration of 49mgIl was recorded at the upstream sampling location (aSWl uIaSW2u) and a Suspended Solids concentration of 40mgll was recorded at the downstream sampling location (aSWldlaSW2d).

The recording of a higher Suspended Solids concentration upstream of the discharge points would indicate that the discharges from Slane Agglomeration were not linked to the elevated Suspended Solids concentrations at the sampling locations, on this date.

The County Council monitor water quality in the River Boyne on a monthly basis upstream of the Slane Agglomeration at EPA Station 07B042000 and downstream of the Slane Agglomeration at EPA Station 078042100. The results of this sampling from 2007 and 2008 were attached in Attachment E4 of the Slane Wastewater Discharge Licence Application. The results record

Suspended Solids Concentrations on most occasions 42mgl l at Upstream and Downstream sampling locations. Two Peaks in concentration (25-42mg11) were recorded (upstream &

downstream) in 2007. These peaks and those recorded on the recent once-off grab sampling event

(discussed above) are believed to be related to a source/sources upstream of the Slane Agglomeration. These sources may include a period of heavy rainfall increasing the wash-down of

sediment into the river, or other localised practices (eg. industrial or agricultural).

15. Regarding Attachment F.I(A), clarify where the discharge relates to (Stamullen WWTP, instead of Slane WWTP, as stated in this Attachment).

The above query refers to the final Table in Attachment F.l(A) of the Slane Wastewater Discharge Licence Application, which compares the River Boyne Estimated DWF to the Slane WWTP DWF

Discharge. This table includes a misprint, where 'Discharge from Stamullen WWTP' is printed in the place of 'Discharge from Slane WWTP'. This was a typing error and we apologise for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.

16. Abstraction - describe the measures to be undertaken to ensure that discharges from the waste water works will not have a significant effect on faecal coliform, salmonella and protozoan pathogen numbers in the receiving water environment. Assess the impact of emissions (primary discharge, secondary discharge and storm water overFlows) from the agglomeration on the quality of the water abstraction at Roughgrange located 6.1km downstream.

Although there is no disinfection process in place at Slane WWTP, the combined design capacity for Slane WWTP is in the order of 2,250pe and at the present time, it is estimated that approximately 1,786pe are being served by the plant, with a projected figure of 2,135 for 2015. Therefore, the plant

is operating with spare capacity.

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Also, as outlined in Attachment F.l(A) of the Slane Wastewater Discharge Licence Application, there are favourable assimilative capacities available in the receiving water (River Boyne), even at Dry Weather Flow.

Considering the above factors, it can be reasonably assumed that the receiving water environment will not be negatively impacted on (including faecal coliform, salmonella & protozoan numbers) by

discharges from the Slane Agglomeration.

As presented in the Slane Agglomeration Wastewater Discharge Licence Application, there is a Drinking Water Abstraction Point on the River Boyne at Roughgrange, which is located ca. 6.lkm

downstream of the Slane Agglomeration Discharge Points. Although located in Co. Meath, this is a Louth County Council managed Abstraction Point. The water abstracted at Roughgrange is pumped to the Louth County Council operatedlmanaged Drogheda Water Treatment Works at Staleen, Co. Meath.

The Water Treatment Works at Staleen includes a full disinfection process for the water, including

chlorine dosing.

Finally, under the European Communities (Quality of Surface Water Intended for the Abstraction of Drinking Water) Regulations, 1989, Louth Councty Council are obliged to monitor water quality (including bacteriological and pathogenic parameters) in the River Boyne, at the Roughgrange

Abstraction Point on a regular basis.

Section H: Declaration:

17. Complete Section H: Declaration and scan the signed declaration for electronic submission.

The 'Section H - Signed Declaration' from the Slane Agglomeration - Wastewater Discharge Licence Application, is attached in Appendix E, with an electronic copy attached on the CD which

accompanies this submission.

Advice Note: In the case where any drawings already submitted are subject to revision consequent on this request, a revised drawing should be prepared in each case. It is not sufficient to annotate the original drawing with a textual correction. Where such revised drawings are submitted, provide a list of drawing titles, drawing numbers and revision status, which correlates the revised drawings with the superseded versions.

No drawings from the original Slane Waste Water Discharge Licence Application were revised in the completion of this response, nor were any new drawings issued.

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I do hope the above adequately deals with the outstanding information required by the EPA's Notice in Accordance with Regulation 18(3)(b) Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007,

dated 03 June 2009.

Should you require any additional information, or further clarification, please feel free to contact the undersigned.

Yours sincerely,

MS Maria Holmes --. Engineer Senior Environmental Scientist

cc. Mr Gerry Boyie, Meath County Council

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APPENDIX A (Updated Non-technical Summary)

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NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

JRevision B)

Meath County Council, County Hall, Navan, County Meath is making an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (the Agency), in accordance with the Waste

Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007) for a

Waste Water Discharge Licence, authorising the waste water discharges from the Slane Waste Water Treatment Works, serving the agglomeration of: Slane, County

Meath.

Under Schedule 2 of the above regulations, the prescribed date for submission of

Waste Water Discharge Licence Applications for agglomerations (with discharges

with a population equivalent of between 1,001 - 2,000 pe) is 28 February 2009. The

Slane Agglomeration falls under this category, presently serving a population equivalent of 1,786pe, with the capabilities to cater for a project possible loading

2,135pe, by the year 2015.

The agglomeration is served by the Slane Waste Water Treatment Plant, Main

Street, Slanecastle Demesne, Slane, County Meath (Grid Reference 295901E, 274257N), as shown on Drawing 5270-2660. The main treatment works site

comprises two separate treatment systems, which together serve Slane

agglomeration. A small septic tank also exists, which serves only six houses located

on the outskirts of the village.

Slane WWTP is located on the south-west side of the village of Slane and the original

plant was commissioned in the late sixties, treating municipal waste water from Slane

village. This plant was originally designed to cater for a population equivalent in the order of 1,500 P.E. The plant was designed to meet Royal Commission 20:30

Standards, (the design criteria current at that time).

I Slane (Older) Wastewater Treatment Plant -

COD

Total Suspended Solids

Design Discharge Concentrations

Parameter

BOD

Design Discharge Concentration (mgll)

20.0

L

Total Nitrogen (as N)

Ammonia (as N)

Total Phosphorus (as P)

no concentration specified

no concentration specified

no concentration specified

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The Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) plant was constructed approximately 2

years ago to treat incoming waste water from a new residential development

(Ledwidge Terrace Housing Estate). The plant was designed to cater for a population

equivalent of 750 P.E, giving a combined treatment capacity of 2,250P.E (1,500P.E + 750P.E). This plant is required to meet Urban Waste Water Treatment Standards.

Meath County Council are currently sourcing data with regards to design discharge

concentrations for this unit and this information will be forwarded to the Agency as

soon as possible.

The older traditional WWTP (detailed above) and this RBC plant collectively form the

Slane Waste Water Treatment Plant, as they are located within the same site and

treated effluent from both treatment processes CO-discharge in a single outfall pipe to

the River Boyne.

A septic tank (under the control of Meath County Council) serves the Boyne View

Terrace (6 Nr. Dwellings). This treatment system was construction during the sixties

and is located in the vicinity of the old castle gate adjacent to the banks of the River

Boyne. It is estimated that the plant is currently treating approximately 17 P.E.

There are no formal maintenance records available for this unit, however Meath

County Council undertake routine desludging of the unit as required.

Slane Waste Water Treatment Plant utilises biological processes in conjunction with

physical settlement (i.e. Secondary Treatment) to provide treatment to incoming

waste water for compliance with the relevant legislative effluent treatment standards,

as shown on Drawing no. 5270-2668 & 5270-2669.

The existing treatment works is supervised during the hours of 8.00 - 15.30 Monday to Friday and 10.00 - 12.00 at Weekends. Slane Wastewater treatment plant is not

currently equipped with a telemetry system to cater for out of hours supervision.

At present, Slane Agglomeration has 3 no. existing discharge points: a Primary

Discharge Point (SWI), at location 296247E, 273851N, which discharges into the

River Boyne (as shown on Drawing No. 5270-2664), a Secondary Discharge Point

(SW2) at location 296344E, 273753N which discharges into the River Boyne (as shown on Drawing No. 5270-2665) and a Storm Water Overflow Discharge Point

(SW3), at location 296247E, 273851N, which discharges into the River Boyne (as

shown on Drawing no. 5270-2666).

Based on Effluent (Primary Discharge Point) Analysis presented on Tables D.l(i)(b)

& D.l(i)(c) and on the analysis of water upstream and downstream of the Primary

Discharge Point (Tables F.l(i)(a) & F.l(i)(b)), it is concluded that none of the

substances listed in Annex X of the Water Framework Directive (2000/601EC) or any

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of the Relevant Pollutants listed in Annex Vlll of the Water Framework Directive

(2000160lEC) are being discharged from the waste water works or are seen to be

present in the receiving water environment downstream of a discharge from the

works, at concentrations above the standards set in the Water Quality (Dangerous Substances) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. 12 of 2001).

The emissions from the agglomeration are not expected to have any significant

impact on the surrounding environment:

All 3 number emissions discharge to the River Boyne, which is designated a

pNHA and a SAC at this location. The discharges are in existence for some

time and do not appear to be having a negative effect on the water quality in

the River Boyne. It is therefore not expected that the discharges are having

any negative affect on the surrounding ecology (aquatic). However, as will be discussed in Attachment F.I(H), the National Parks & Wildlife Service

(NPWS) have been contacted, through the Development Applications Unit

(DAU) of the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, as

part of this application process to scope whether an Ecological Assessment

or an Appropriate Assessment of the emissions impacts on the surrounding

ecology is required. There are no emissions to groundlgroundwater from the Slane Sewerage

Agglomeration; therefore any impact on groundlgroundwater is unexpected.

The results of water quality analysis presented in Tables F.l(i)(a) & F.l(i)(b)

show that there is little or no difference in water quality between the sampling

location upstream of the emission points (aSWlulaSW2u) and the sampling

location downstream of the emission points (aSWldlaSW2d). The EPA monitor water quality in the River Boyne at stations upstream and

downstream of the Slane Agglomeration. The closest EPA station upstream

of the agglomeration has a most recent Q-Value rating of Q3-4 (= moderate water quality, slightly polluted) as does the closest EPA station downstream

of the agglomeration. This is another indication that the effluent discharges

from the Slane Agglomeration are not having a negative impact on the River

Boyne. There is one Meath County Council Drinking Water Abstraction Point from the

River Boyne (Roughgrange) located ca. 6.lkm downstream of the Slane

Agglomeration Discharge Points. The surface water quality results contained

within Section F of this application together with the EPA biological ratings on

the River Boyne conclude the Slane WWTP is not impacting negatively on the

River Boyne and therefore it can be reasonable to assume that the Slane

WVVTP does not affect the downstream drinking water abstraction point.

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Once the Waste Water Discharge Licence is issued for Slane Agglomeration, the

'Programme for Environmental Monitoring' is proposed to continue in much the same

way as it has done for the last 2 years. This will involve monitoring of the Influent to the Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Effluent from the Waste Water Treatment

Plant (i.e. Primary Discharge Point) on a monthly basis for the following parameters:

BOD, COD, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Phosphorus as P, Orthophosphate

as P &Total Nitrogen as N.

The Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007)

also requests water sampling of the aquatic environment into which the Primary and Secondary Discharges occur, in order to monitor the impact of the discharges on the

ambient environment.

For the last number of years, the County Council have carried out monthly monitoring upstream and downstream of the primary and secondary discharge points at the EPA

Station Locations 078042000 and 078042100, as shown on Drawing No. 5270-2675. This sampling includes analysis for: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Temperature, pH,

Electrical Conductivity, BOD, Suspended Solids, Ammonia, Total Organic Nitrogen,

Nitrate, Chloride, Alkalinity, Hardness, Colour, Copper & Zinc.

It is proposed to continue this monitoring upstream and downstream of the

primarylsecondary discharge points, but to move the upstream location to a SWlulaSW2u, as shown on drawing No. 5270-2675, and to rename the downstream

sampling location (which will remain at the location of EPA Stations 078042100) as

aSWldlaSW2d.

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APPENDIX B (Waste Assimilative Calculations)

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5270 Slane RFI

Slane Seweraqe Scheme - Assimilative Capacity

l .O Mass Balance Approach

The available waste assimilative capacity of the receiving water body was calculated using

the mass balance approach. The equation used in the calculations is:

WAC = (Cm,, - Chad X Q

Where:

WAC Waste Assimilative Capacity

C,,, Receiving water's maximum permissible concentration of a substance (mgll)

Cback Receiving water's background upstream concentration of a substance (mgll)

Q Flow rate in the receiving waters (m3/s)

The flow conditions used in the calculation of assimilative capacity are dependent on the

particular water quality parameter being analysed. The EPA recommends the following

receiving water flow conditions to be used in the analysis of the following parameters:

A conversion factor is applied to the Mass Balance Formula so as to express the WAC in

units of kg I day.

Receiving Water Flow

Dry Weather Flow

Median Flow

95 percentile

Conversion Factor:

Parameter

Toxic substances

Ortho-phosphate (MRP)

Other substances (BOD. Ammonia N)

(iizg)(m3) Izg 60 * 60 * 24 to- = = 86.4

(W) day 1000

2.0 Relevant Documentation

The documentation used in the calculation of waste assimilative capacity of receiving waters

were as follows:

'Parameters of Water Quality - Interpretation and Standards' [EPA, 20011.

'S./ No. 258 of 1998 - Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 (Water Quality

Standards for Phosphorus) Regulations, 1998' (setting the maximum concentration of

Ortho-phosphate that may be present in the receiving waters).

Appendix B

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5270 Slane RFI

Meath County Council released a report in 2006 entitled 'Phosphorus Regulations

Implementation Report 2006' which was prepared in accordance with the

requirements of the S.I. No. 258 of 1998 - Local Government (Water Pollution) Act,

1977 (Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus) Regulations, 1998.

3.0 Existing Water Quality The existing water quality of the River Boyne is presented in Sections E and F of the Slane

Waste Water Discharge Licence Application.

Section E4 contains a table of Meath County Council's monitoring water quality results for

various parameters present in the River Boyne at the EPA Stations located upstream and

downstream from the WWTP primary discharge point.

Section F presents surface water monitoring results from a once-off sampling event

(undertaken as part of the licence application process) at a location upstream and

downstream from the primary discharge point on the River Boyne.

Appendix C to this document contains waste assimilative calculations, based insofar as

possible on the above monitoring data.

4.0 Discharge Effluent Quality from the Slane WWTP Meath County Council has carried out monitoring of effluent discharge from the WWTP on a

bimonthly basis over the last number of years and the results from these samples are

contained in Section E4 of the Slane Waste Water Discharge Licence Application.

5.0 River Boyne Hydrometric Data

The Slane WWTP discharges to the River Boyne, which is situated within the Boyne River

Catchment.

The estimated long-term flows in the River Boyne at co-ordinates E296226 N273835 are as

follows:

Appendix B

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5270 Slane RFI

The above flow rates are the best available estimates, as provided by the EPA Office of

Environmental Assessment.

Estimated River Flow

95 percentile

DWF

50 percentile

6.0 Maximum Permissible Concentrations of Various Parameters for the River Boyne

The Slane WWTP discharges to the River Boyne, which is situated within the Boyne River

Catchment. The River Boyne at the location of the Slane WWTP is not classified as nutrient

sensitive under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 254 of 2001).

The emission points are however in a designated pNHA and a SAC.

With reference to the Eastern River Basin District - Draft River Basin Management Plan, the

River Boyne is designated as Salmonid Water under the Freshwater Fish Directive

Estimated Based on:

Flow measurements taken

at station 07012

Flow measurements taken

at station 07012

Continuous flow records at

Slane 07012 from 1940 - 2007

The following maximum permissible concentrations therefore apply to the receiving water:

Flow Value

3.030 m31s.

2.030 m'ls

24.800 m31s

Substance

BOD

Total Nitrogen (N)

Appendix B

Ammonia

Ortho-phosphate

Maximum

Permissible

Concentration

g5 mgll

Reference Document

European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters)

Regulations, 1998 (S.1 No. 293 of 1988)

No Applicable Surface Water Standard for Total Nitrogen

1 mg/l

0.05 mgll

(N)

European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters)

Regulations. 1998 (S.1 No. 293 of 1988)

s.i No. 258 of 1998- Local Government (Water Pollution)

Act, 1977 (Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus)

Regulations. 1998

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5270 Slane RFI

7.0 Assimilative Capacity Calculations for the River Boyne The following sections provide a summary of the assimilative capacity calculations of BOD,

Ammonia and Orthophosphate for the River Boyne at the location upstream of the Slane

WWTP primary discharge point. Upstream background monitoring data was utilised in the

calculations.

7.1 Available WAC of the River Boyne for BOD The WAC equation for calculating BOD concentrations is:

WAC = (C,,,- Cback) X Q95 X 86.4 kg BOD/day

WAC = (5-1.566) X 3.03 X 86.4 kg BOD/day

WAC = 898.93 kg BOD/day

At a WWTP discharge of 423.36 m31d (existing DWF effluent discharge) together with the

design effluent maximum concentration (from the traditional activated sludge wastewater

treatment plant at Slane) of BOD concentration emitted from the WWTP of 20 mgll, the total

discharge BOD concentration to the River Boyne is:

423,360 lld X 20 mgll = 8,467,200 mgld = 8.5 kgld

7.2 Available WAC of the River Boy~ze for Total Nitrogen, N The development of WAC calculations relating to Total Nitrogen (as N) were not possible as

there is no applicable surface water standard for Total Nitrogen (N).

There are currently no design discharge concentrations for Total Nitrogen relating to the

traditional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant at Slane. The existing DWF effluent

discharge has been estimated at 423.36 m31d. The level of Total Nitrogen (as N) recorded in

the primary effluent on January 15'~ 2009 was 9.0mgll N.

423,360 lld X 9 mgll = 3,810,240 mgld = 3.810 kgld

7.3 Available WAC of the River Boy~ze for Antutorria, N The WAC equation for calculating Ammonia concentrations is:

WAC = (C,,, - Cback) X Q95 X 86.4 kg N/day

WAC = (1-0.2) X 3.03 X 86.4 kg N/day

WAC = 209.43 kg N /day

There are currently no design discharge concentrations for Ammonia relating to the Slane

traditional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. The existing DWF effluent discharge

Appendix B

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5270 Slane RFI

has been estimated at 423.36 m31d. The level of Ammonia (as N) recorded in the primary

effluent on January 15 '~ 2009 was 5.lmgll N.

423,360 lld X 5.1 mgll = 2,159,136 mgld = 2.159 kgld

7.4 Available WAC of tlte River Boyize for Ortlrophosphate The WAC equation for calculating Ortho-phosphate concentrations is:

WAC = (C,,, - Cback) X Q50 X 86.4 kg P/day

WAC = (0.05-0.041) X 24.8 X 86.4 kg P/day

WAC = 18.60 kgld

There are currently no design discharge concentrations for Orthophosphate relating to the

Siane traditional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. The existing DWF effluent

discharge has been estimated at 423.36 m31d. The level of Orthophosphate (as P) recorded

in the primary effluent on January 1 5Ih 2009 was 0.34mgll P.

423,360 lld X 0.34 mgll = 143,942 mgld = 0.143 kgld

7.0 Summary of Results and Conclusion A summary of the Assimilative Capacity calculations is tabulated below:

Given the current 95 percentile and 50 percentile flow rates in the River Boyne and the

background concentrations of BOD, Orthophosphate and Ammonia together with the design

discharge concentrations, it is concluded the discharge from the Slane WWTP is not having a

Parameter

BOD

Total Nitrogen (N)

Ammonia

Ortho-phosphate

negative effect on the River Boyne in terms of these parameters,

WAC

898.93 kg BODlday

WAC not possible due to lack of Quality Standard - 209.43 k! - 18.60 kg -

5 Appendix B

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APPENDIX C (Waste Assimilative Design Spreadsheets)

Terralate let W4

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Meath County Cauncll

am Sampling RI

Mathod

Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab Grab

078042000 Grab &W-lu I Gmb

otal Nitrogen -

Waste Aselmllatlvs Capadty Formula

(WAC =(C,, --Cmw )*Q ( l ~ o n w n i o n Factor I 66.4

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APPENDIX D (Primary Discharge Monitoring Data for 2009)

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APPENDIX E (Section H - Signed Declaration)

(From Original Slane Waste Water Discharge Licence Application)

Template let004

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SECTION H: DECLARATION

Declaration

I hereby make application for a waste water discharge licence/revised licence, pursuant to the provisions of the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 (51. No. 684 of 2007).

I certify that the information given in this application is truthful, accurate and complete.

l give consent to the EPA to copy this application for its own use and to make it available for inspection and copying by the public, both In the form of paper files available for inspection at EPA and local authority offices, and via the EPA's website.

This consent relates to this application Itself and to any further information or subniission, whether provided by me as Applicant, any person acting on the Applicant's behalf, or any other person.

Signed by : c- Date : 17!02!0~ (on behalf of the anlsatkm)

Print signature name: EUGEF-\E CUMMIE~S

Position i n organisation: D\RECTOR O F SERU\CES, IN^ RASTRUUURE

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