Barrow Main Water Management
Unit
Area
1110 km2
River Basin District
South Eastern RBD
Main Counties
Kildare, Laois, Carlow
Protected Areas
River Barrow & River Nore SAC
Mountmellick SAC
River Barrow UWWTD
2 Drinking water abstractions from
Barrow river and Burren river
Sectoral Total Phosphorus Source
(This does not imply impact)
%
Barrow Main Water Management Unit
Action Plan
Name
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Barrow Main Water Management Unit Action Plan
STATUS/IMPACTS
Overall
status
48 River Water Bodies - 16 Good, 22 Moderate, 8 Poor, 2 Bad
Status
elements
Q score dictates overall status in most WBs, Phys Chemical drives the status of 3 good and 2 moderate WBs. Phys Chemical status ranges
between moderate and high where monitored. Status for 23 WBs were extrapolated. Chemical status was not monitored.
Possible
Impacts EPA Water
Quality
2004
ATHY STREAM - Upper reaches (0200) heavily silted and weedy, lower reaches heavily calcified. Sensitive
species not observed at either location. Unsatisfactory. Agriculture suspected. *Silt. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1288 / Status 09: Moderate
(Based on Q value 3-4)
AUGHNACREW - An impoverished fauna lacking sensitive macroinvertebrates indicated some considerable ecological upset in the middle
reaches (0300) of this stream in October 2003 but the lower reaches (0500) although quite weedy were assessed as satisfactory for the time
being. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1921 / status 09 : Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4)
BALLYNABOLEY STREAM - As in previous surveys indications were of somewhat less than satisfactory quality in this small stream in 2003.
Unsatisfactory. No change. Waterbody Code:SE_14_951 / Status 09: Poor (Based on Q 3)
BARROW - As indicated by the net increase (of two) in the number of Class A locations and a corresponding reduction in Class C and
because the number of locations showing some improvement (six) exceeded the number deteriorating (three) it is clear that there has been
an overall improvement in the Barrow since 2000. This despite the fact that water levels were generally below normal everywhere and were
very low in the upper river thus providing less dilution capacity for wastes. However, eutrophication continued to be widespread due to
suspected agriculture in the upper river and to suspected sewage and other discharges from Portlaoise and Carlow.
DOUGLAS (LAOIS) - The overall quality situation in the Douglas river in 2003 was very similar to the generally unsatisfactory condition
recorded in the previous survey: marked eutrophication was again apparent at 0080 and 0200 and the lower reaches (0300), although
slightly improved since 2000, were heavily silted. Severe bank erosion was apparent at the upper surveyed location (0080).*Silt. Waterbody
code: SE_14_1304 / Status 09: Good (Based on Q4 in 2006);SE_14_1490 Status 09:Good Based on Q Score and Physchem.
DUNRALLY STREAM - Widespread eutrophication plus heavy siltation by watering cattle in the lower reaches again reflect the
unsatisfactory quality status of this stream. High conductivity values indicated a groundwater input at Stations. *Silt. Waterbody Code:
SE_14_1746 / 2009 WB status: Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4)
FUER -As in 2000 extremely low water level prevented sampling but from the quantities of animal manure observed on the substratum at
Fuer Bridge it would be reasonable to assume that quality was unlikely to have been of a satisfactory standard in 2003. Waterbody code:
SE_14_1482 / 2009 WB status:Moderate:Based on fail in physchem)
FUSHOGE - Following a marked improvement in its lower reaches (0290) water quality was assessed as satisfactory at each of the three
locations surveyed on the Fushoge River in early October 2003. However, heavy siltation and substratum disturbance by watering cattle
threatened this situation at Strand Bridge (0050). Waterbody Code: SE_14_1283 - Status 09: Moderate (Based on physchem)
GOWRAN - The Gowran River was in a generally unsatisfactory condition due to widespread eutrophication in October 2003; just one of the
six locations surveyed (i.e., 0050) was satisfactory. Abundant sewage fungus and the virtual absence of resident macroinvertebrates pointed
to serious pollution of agricultural origin (silage suspected) in the Freneystown area (0020) while municipal and industrial discharges are
suspected for the unsatisfactory, hypertrophic condition of the river in and below Gowran (0100, 0220, 0300 and 0400). (Since survey in
2003, there has been a new WWTP at Gowran Village in 2009) Waterbody Code: SE_14_1879 - 2009 status: Poor (Based on Q value 3-4)
MONEFELIM - The Monefelim River was in a mostly satisfactory condition as regards water quality in October 2003 but the lower reaches
(0800, 1000) were assessed as eutrophic due to suspected agriculture (slurry), a reversal of the recovery recorded in the previous survey of
2000. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1663 – 2009 Status: Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4)
OLD LEIGHLIN STREAM - Water levels were very low in this small stream in October 2003 when quality was assessed as satisfactory at
Old Leighlin (0500) but excessive algal growths indicated significant eutrophication in the lower reaches (0700) where the DO concentration
was 158 percent of saturation at the time of this survey. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1382 – Status 2009: Moderate (Based on Q value 3-4)
POWERSTOWN - An improvement to ‘Fair’ quality was recorded in the lower reaches (0400) of this small stream in late July 2003. The
upper reaches were again over-enriched as in previous surveys. Waterbody Code: SE_14_1383 / 2009 status: Good (Based on Q Score)
TULLY STREAM - Minor improvements at 0100 and 0200 contrast with substantial deterioration at 0300 and 0390 where the river was
seriously polluted at the time of this survey in late August 2003. Waterbody Code: SE_14_842 / Status 09: Bad (Based on Q value 2 and fail
on physchem)
4%
17%
33%
46%
River Status
High
Good
Moderate
Poor
Bad
Yet to be determined
Barrow Main Water Management Unit Action Plan
PRESSURES/RISKS
Nutrient sources
83% of TP is Diffuse, 60% of which is from Agriculture, 20% from unsewered
properties . 16% of TP comes from WWTP
Point pressures
26 WWTP: Clonmore, Leighlinbridge, Mortarstown, Muine Bheag, Nurney
(Carlow), Old Leighlin, Raheendoran, Athy, Kilberry, Kildangan, Kildare Town,
Kilmead, Monasterevin, Nurney (Kildare), Goresbridge, Gowran sewerage
Scheme, Paulstown, Ballylinan, Coolanaugh, Emo, Portarlington, Ballyroe,
Calverstown, Castlemitchell, Derrinturn, Cappalug.
Quarries, Mines
& Landfills
There are 42 Quarries within WMU.
2 have Section 4 licenses. 2 WBs at risk - SE_14_196 and SE_14_1556.
Agriculture
The majority of the area of the WMU is at risk from Agriculture
On-site systems
There are 13884 septic tanks in this WMU, none of them are posing a risk
to water quality due to their density, location and unsuitable
hydrogeological conditions.
Forestry
No waterbodies at risk from forestry
Dangerous
substances
No waterbodies at risk from Dangerous Substances.
14 Section 4s: Hotel, School, B&B/Caravan/Camping Park, 2 Building
Contractors, 2 Stud/Stables, Nursing Home, Building Products Supplier, 2
Quarries, Golf Club, Concrete Manufacturer, Private Company.
Morphology
7 Waterbodies at risk - SE_14_1746, SE_14_1687, SE_14_1610,
SE_14_1304, SE_14_1418, SE_14_842 and SE_14_572 - Barrow
Drainage District (Pre 1945 Channelisation)
14 IPPC: 2 Pig Farms, 2 Private Companies, Packaging Company, Chilling
Company, Sugar Refinery, 3 Manufacturers, Building Contractor, Foods
Processor, Steelwork Contractor, Chemical Lime Producer.
Abstractions
23 Abstractions but no waterbodies at risk. Additional Groundwater
abstractions as advised by Laois CoCo at Lough Boreholes and La
Bergerie Wells Portarlington.
Other
2 Artificial Waterbodies - Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation
3 WTP: River Barrow Treatment Plant, Muine Bheag Treatment Works;
(abstraction from River Barrow at Portarlington) and Tobergoolick Poll
(Paulstown).
6 EPA Licensed Waste Facilities
Wastewater
Treatment Plants
(WWTP)
and
Industrial
Discharges
PRESSURES / RISKS
19 of the 24 WWTP's are at risk:
Clonmore WWTP
Leighlinbridge WWTP
Mortarstown WWTP
Muine Bheag WWTP
Nurney WWTP
Old Leighlin WWTP
Raheendoran WWTP
Athy WWTP
Kilberry WWTP .
Kildare Town WWTP
Monasterevin WWTP
Nurney WWTP, Kildare
Goresbridge WWTP
Gowran Sewerage Scheme WWTP
Paulstown WWTP
Ballylinan WWTP –
Portarlington WWTP –
2 Section 4 Licenses at risk
Barrow Main Water Management Unit Action Plan
Point Source Discharge
SELECTED ACTION PROGRAMME
NB All relevant basic measures, general supplementary measures and SEA mitigation
measures apply
Point Sources
WWTP – see Actions table to the right
INDUSTRY
2 Section 4 Licenses – investigate risk.
All - Examine the terms of discharge authorisations to determine
whether they require review for the purpose of compliance with water
body objectives including protected area objectives and environmental
quality standards.
Diffuse Sources
Good Agricultural Practice Regulations and Enforcement.
Other
Morphology 7 waterbodies within the WMU require Channelisation
Investigation to investigate impact of drainage works.
OBJECTIVES
County
Priority
Measure (Capital Works)
Kildare Town WWTP
Kildare
1
Increase capacity of treatment plant.
Kildare Town WWTP
Kildare
2
Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall.
Paulstown Sewerage Scheme WWTP
Kilkenny
1
Increase capacity of treatment plant.
Paulstown Sewerage Scheme WWTP
Kilkenny
1
Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall.
Paulstown Sewerage Scheme WWTP
Kilkenny
1
Provide nutrient removal or relocate outfall.
Portarlington WWTP
Laois
1
Provide tertiary treatment or relocate outfall.
Point Source Discharge
County
Athy WWTP
Kildare
Ballylinan WWTP
Laois
Goresbridge
Kilkenny
Kilberry, Kildare
Kildare
Kildare Town WWTP
Kildare
Priority
Measure (Investigation before Capital Works)
Investigate the need for increase in capacity of
treatment plant.
Investigate the need for tertiary treatment or for
2
the relocation of the outfall.
Investigate the need for increase in capacity of
2
treatment plant.
Investigate the need for increase in capacity of
2
treatment plant.
Investigate the need for increase in capacity of
2
treatment plant.
Investigate the need for tertiary treatment or for
3
the relocation of the outfall.
Investigate the need for increase in capacity of
2
treatment plant.
Priority
Measure
1
Commence implementation of the Pollution
Reduction Programme for Shellfish waters
Priority
Measure
1
Implement an appropriate performance
management system
2
Restore/Protect
2015
21 water bodies
Nurney
Carlow
Alternative
Objectives
Extended Deadlines – 27 water bodies with 2021 deadline
OldLeighlin
Carlow
Point Source Discharge
Kildare Town WWTP
County
Kildare
Point Source Discharge
Ballylinan WWTP
County
Laois
Paulstown Sewerage Scheme WWTP
Kilkenny
1
Implement an appropriate performance
management system
Kildare Town WWTP
Kildare
1
Implement an appropriate performance
management system
Point Source Discharge
Mortarstown WWTP
County
Carlow
Portarlington WWTP
Laois
2
Investigation of CSO's
Kildare Town WWTP
Kildare
3
Investigation of CSO's
Point Source Discharge
Clonmore
County
Carlow
Mortarstown WWTP
Carlow
2
Nurney
Carlow
3
Nurney WWTP
Kildare
3
Gowran Sewerage Scheme WWTP
Kilkenny
3
Kildare Town WWTP
Kildare
2
3 New Modifications or Developments
Carlow, (River Barrow) Flood alleviation scheme being undertaken along with
Carlow County Council
Strategic Flood Risk Management Feasibility study being undertaken
Water reservoir at Gerryhinch.
HMWB/AWB - 2 Artificial Waterbodies - Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Future Pressures
and Developments
Throughout the river basin management cycle future pressures and
developments will need to be managed to ensure compliance with the
objectives of the Water Framework Directive and the Programme of
Measures will need to be developed to ensure issues associated with
these new pressures are addressed.
Priority
Measure
2
Investigation of CSO's
Priority
2
Measure
Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not
exceeded
Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not
exceeded
Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not
exceeded
Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not
exceeded
Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not
exceeded
Ensure capacity of treatment plant is not
exceeded
Barrow Main Water Management Unit Action Plan
River Data
IE_SE_BarrowMain
Supporting Elements
Biological Elements
Protected Areas
Y
M
M
SE_14_1287
Y
G
SE_14_1288
Y
M
SE_14_1304
Y
SE_14_1374
Date objective to
be achieved
SE_14_1283
Y
Objective
G
Drinking Water
SE_14_1418
Nutrient Sensitive
Waters
N
Special Protection
Area
SE_14_1261
Special Area of
Conservation
P
G
Chemical Status
SE_14_1278
Ecological Status
N
Physio-chemical
SE_14_1258
Specific Polutants
SE_14_951
Y
Morphology
N
SE_14_1131
Phytobenthos
(Diatoms)
SE_14_1102
Fish
SE_14_301
FreshWater Pearl
Mussel
N
Macroinvertebrate
s (Q)
Monitored Y
(Extrapolated N)
SE_14_1045
This table outlines water body information
including status and a breakdown of its
elements, protected areas, objectives and
timescales.
Donor Waterbody
Member State
Code
GES
2009
GES
2021
GES
2009
GES
2021
Y
GES
2009
Y
GES
2015
G
GES
2009
H
M
GES
2021
G
G
G
GES
2009
Y
G
H
G
GES
2009
SE_14_1382
Y
M
H
M
Y
GES
2021
SE_14_1383
Y
G
H
G
Y
GES
2009
SE_14_1391
N
P
GES
2021
SE_14_1418
Y
G
G
GES
2009
SE_14_1482
Y
M
M
GES
2015
SE_14_1484
N
SE_14_50
G
GES
2009
SE_14_1485
N
SE_14_1382
M
GES
2015
SE_14_1490
Y
G
GES
2009
SE_14_1556
N
SE_14_1781
M
GES
2021
SE_14_1610
N
SE_14_999
P
GES
2021
SE_14_1660
N
SE_14_1288
M
GES
2021
SE_14_1663
Y
GES
2021
SE_14_1687
N
SE_14_1374
G
GES
2009
SE_14_1721
N
SE_14_1382
M
GES
2021
P
G
G
G
SE_14_951
G
G
M
M
G
H
H
M
Y
Y
SE_14_1746
Y
SE_14_1770
N
GES
2021
M
GES
SE_14_1830
Y
2021
M
GES
SE_14_1869
N
2021
M
GES
SE_14_1879
Y
2021
GES
SE_14_1942
N
2021
GES
SE_14_196_1
Y
P
M
P
Y
Y
2021
GES
SE_14_196_2
Y
M
G
M
Y
2021
Y
GES
SE_14_196_3
Y
G
G
G
2021
Y
Y
GES
SE_14_196_4
Y
M
G
2009
M
Y
Y
GES
SE_14_196_5
Y
G
2021
G
G
Y
Y
GES
2009
M
G
M
Y
Y
GES
2015
Y
GES
2015
SE_14_1875
M
SE_14_1875
B
G
SE_14_572
M
Y
B
Y
M
Y
SE_14_196_6
Y
SE_14_221
N
SE_14_1781
M
SE_14_434
N
SE_14_842
P
GES
2021
SE_14_488
N
SE_14_1382
M
GES
2021
SE_14_50
Y
GES
2009
SE_14_531
N
GES
2009
SE_14_572
Y
GES
2021
SE_14_676
N
SE_14_951
P
GES
2021
SE_14_689
N
SE_14_1382
M
GES
2021
SE_14_799
N
SE_14_1383
G
GES
2009
SE_14_81
N
SE_14_1382
M
GES
2021
SE_14_842
Y
B
B
GES
2021
SE_14_951
Y
P
P
GES
2021
H
G
SE_16_1502
G
Y
G
M
M
M
M
Y