Management Plan for Improving the Water Quality of Poor bathing Water
status at Youghal Front Strand
Map 1: Location and Extent of Youghal Front Strand Bathing Water
Bathing Water Name:
Youghal Front Strand or Youghal Main Strand
County:
River Basin District
Cork
South Western River Basin District
Bathing Water ID (as per the WFD):
IESWBWC020_0000_0300
Year of Designation:
Location of Sampling Point incl. 6 digit grid ref:
Responsible Authority:
1988
Easting; 210550 Northing; 076200
Cork County Council/East Municipal District
Revision
No
0
Status
Date
Prepared by
Reviewed by
Approved by
Final
13/03/15
Jacinta Reynolds
& Frank OFlynn
(Environment)
Shane Kennedy
(Water Services
capital)
Shane Kennedy
(Water Services
capital)
Margaret Kennedy/
Paul Murray
(Divisional offices)
Jacinta Reynolds
(Environment)
Shane Kennedy (Water
Services Capital)
Maurice Manning (s/DOS
Divisional offices)
Version Control
Version Number: 1
Date: 13/03/15
Next Review Due: October 2015
1
1.0
INTRODUCTION : EPA GUIDANCE ON MANAGEMENT OF POOR BATHING
WATERS
Guidance was issued by the EPA to inform Cork County Council of the


legislative requirements to be undertaken following the classification of a bathing
water as Poor
management approach to be undertaken to improve the water quality of a Poor
bathing water.
The guidance advised that the management plan needs to address the
following:
a. Local authority confirms that there is a requirement for the bathing water to
remain as identified bathing water
b. Local authority informs of its decision on the type of seasonal bathing
restriction, i.e. advice against bathing or bathing prohibition, to be issued at the
Poor bathing water for the following season. The local authority’s decision on the
type of seasonal bathing restriction to issue at the Poor bathing water should be
based on ensuring adequate bather protection.
c. The cause(s) of pollution affecting the bathing water are clearly identified.
Where causes of pollution require further investigation provide relevant details
and timelines for completion of this task.
d. The measures, including interim actions, proposed to prevent, reduce or
eliminate the causes of pollution. Details of the measures proposed, timelines and
responsible authority will need to be provided.
e. Local authority strategy for communicating to the public (in addition to notice
at the bathing water) of the:
 causes and reasons for Poor classification of the bathing water,
 measures being undertaken and planned to improve the water quality of the
bathing water
 implications for bather health
 where/who to contact for more information.
2.0
DESCRIPTION OF BATHING WATER
Youghal Front Strand, (also known as Youghal Main Strand), is a sandy beach located in
Youghal Bay, in East County Cork, within walking distance of Youghal Town, where the
River Blackwater - the largest river in the south of Ireland - meets the sea. This strand
(600m long) is a very popular bathing water and forms part of an approximately 5km
stretch of south east facing sandy beach which stretches from Youghal Town south west
to Pillmore, & which contains 2 other identified beaches, Claycastle & Redbarn.
Youghal Front strand was first designated as a bathing water in 1988. Lifeguards are
provided annually for Youghal Front Strand during the designated bathing season June
1st to September 15th. Cork County Council confirms that Youghal Front Strand bathing
water will remain as an Identified bathing water.
A more detailed description of the bathing water and contributing catchment and
pressures can be found in the Youghal Front Strand bathing water profile –
www.corkcoco.ie under A-Z services and beaches
2
3.0
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRIBUTING CATCHMENT:
Youghal Front Strand is located in Youghal Bay in the townland of Williamstown in East
Cork. The beach adjoins the southern end of the town of Youghal.
The land use in the area immediately surrounding the bathing water is principally urban
fabric consisting of private domestic dwellings & holiday accommodation including large
mobile home parks. There are also significant commercial premises in the immediate
area.
There is a low lying area to the rear of the beach & road/carparks, which collects the
storm water run-off from the adjoining catchment area & drains via 2 culverts which
discharge onto the beach, (Map 1 & Table 1 (pressure 3).
Youghal town is located immediately adjoining the bathing water & storm water from a
significant part of the western side of the town area drains to the low lying area to the
rear of the bathing water from where it discharges directly to the bathing area, (Map 1 &
Table 1 (pressure 2). Youghal has an estimated PE of 12,000 and currently has no
wastewater treatment facilities (Table 1 pressure 1)
The Munster Blackwater River discharges to the Lower Blackwater Estuary/Youghal
Harbour which itself discharges to Youghal Bay immediately to the east of the designated
bathing water. There are also a number of significant tributaries which discharge into the
estuary e.g. the rivers Bride, Finisk and Likky, (see Maps 2 & 3).The Lower Blackwater
Estuary/Youghal Harbour, (Water Body Code SW_020_0100), is classed as Moderate
Status in the SWRBD Plan 2010, & the objective is to restore by 2021.
Agriculture is the predominant land use in the greater Blackwater river catchment area,
with much of the area being farmed relatively intensively. Grassland is the major land
use but significant areas of tillage are also grown. There is only a small amount of
agricultural land in the local catchment area directly draining to the bathing water area.
4.
BATHING WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
4.1
Bathing Water Quality 2012 & 2013
During the 2012 bathing season there were 9 occasions, (out of 12 bathing water
sampling events), when E.coli levels in the bathing waters exceeded the guide value of
100MPN/100ml as set out in the Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations, 1992 (S.I 155 of
1992).
Some of these non-compliances can be associated with high rainfall levels in the
previous days.
Met Eireann have stated that Cork experienced the wettest summer since 1962 (50
years) during the 2012 bathing season. June had on average 300% of the normal rainfall
for that month, while July & August had approximately 300% the amount of rainfall
experienced in July and August of 2011. Due to the abnormal rainfall levels for the 2012
Summer, the catchments of the streams which drain to the beach area became
saturated and remained saturated for most of that period.
During the 2013 bathing season there were 4 occasions, (out of 11 bathing water
sampling events), when E.coli levels in the bathing waters exceeded the guide value of
100MPN/100ml as set out in the Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations, 1992 (S.I 155 of
1992).
3
4.2
Classification of Water Quality under Bathing Water Regulations 2008;
In December 2014 the EPA advised that the provisional status assessment of the 20112014 data for Youghal Front Strand bathing water under the Bathing Water Regulations
2008 (S.I. 79 of 2008), using E.coli & Intestinal Enterococci concentrations, shows that
the current classification for this bathing water is Poor Water Quality Status.
Cork County Council
E.Coli
I.E
Overall Assessment
Poor
Excellent
Poor
Youghal Front Strand Beach
5.0
REVIEW OF POLLUTION SOURCES
The bathing water profile for Youghal Front strand (most recent version dated 17/12/13,
www.corkcoco.ie under A-Z services and beaches), has identified the pressures within
the catchment that could pose a quantifiable microbial risk to the bathing water T
Youghal Front Strand. The causes of pollution and the risk of affecting the bathing water
as referred to in the bathing water profile for Youghal Front Strand are listed in Table 1
below
Table 1: Summary of pressure sources within the catchment posing a
quantifiable microbial risk
Pressure
No
1
2
3
4
Pressure Source
Youghal Town Sewerage System
Combined Storm Overflows on Sewer
network via Strand Tank Directly to Bathing
Water
Discharge onto Beach via Culverts from Low
Lying Area at Rear of Beach
Agriculture in the wider catchment
Microbial Pollution Risk
Assessment
High
Severe
Severe
Moderate (assessed on local
expertise/knowledge as no
methodology available to carry
out assessment)
4
1. Youghal Town sewerage System - Youghal town (estimated PE of 12,000), is
located immediately adjoining the bathing water. The waste water networks are
mainly combined systems with some of the newer housing estates having been
constructed with separate foul and surface water systems. Roof and road
drainage generally discharges to the combined system, especially towards the
historical centre of the town.
Currently, there are no waste water treatment facilities in Youghal.
 There are also 7 combined storm overflows on the waste water network,
 4 of which discharge to the Blackwater Estuary,
 2 discharge to the Ballyvergan Marsh &
 one discharges from the effluent holding tank in the low lying area at the
rear of Youghal Front Strand, (see Map 1), via a short outfall to the
bathing water area, (this discharge to the bathing area will be dealt with
separately at pressure 2).
The town sewerage system discharges untreated effluent to Youghal Harbour via
3 sewage outfalls. There are also a number of stormwater overflows associated
with the sewerage system which discharge to the harbour, (see Maps 1 & 2 for
locations).
2. Combined Storm Overflow from Strand holding tank Directly to Bathing
water: A combined sewer is piped through the low lying area to the rear of the
bathing water and discharges to a holding tank, from where it is pumped north
into the main town sewerage system, (Map 1).
There is a combined storm overflow system on the holding tank and an overflow
is piped under the car parks, road & promenade & then out into the bathing water
to a discharge point approximately 200m off shore, (see Map 1).
3. Discharge of storm water onto the beach via culverts from low lying area
at rear of beach: Storm water from a significant part of the western side of the
town area and the immediate catchment area to the north of the bathing water
(approximately 2.4km2 of lands) drains to the low lying area to the rear of the
bathing water .
This storm water then discharges directly onto the beach through the 2 culverts,
(high & low level culverts), constructed under the car parks, road & promenade
area, ((shown as blue lines on Map 1).). In addition any uncontrolled foul
discharges in the local catchment area will ultimately discharge to the beach via
these culverts
During times of heavy rainfall there are occasional overflows through a manhole
in the combined sewer which runs through the low lying area. Any discharged
effluent from these overflows will flow into the drains in the low lying area &
ultimately discharge onto the beach via the 2 culverts referred to above.
4. Agriculture in the wider catchment: The wider catchment area is
predominantly an agricultural area with relatively intensive grassland & tillage
farming, & high stocking rates. Slurry from local farms is landspread within the
catchment. It is considered that agriculture in the catchment area will have a
moderate impact on water quality at the bathing water during periods of heavy
rainfall,
5
6.0
PROPOSED MEASURES TO IMPROVE BATHING WATER QUALITY AT
YOUGHAL FRONT STRAND
A meeting was held between Cork County Council (Environment Directorate, Water
Services Capital Offices, Divisional Services offices) and Irish Water (Wastewater
Compliance section, Wastewater Engineering South West) in February 2015 to discuss
the requirement for a management plan.
A workshop was simultaneously held between Cork County Council Water Services
Capital Office and Atkins – Consultants for Youghal main drainage project.
A series of short term and long term measures as outlined in Appendix Table 1 were
agreed. Details of the measures proposed, timelines and responsible authorities are
provided and also include interim actions, proposed to prevent, reduce or eliminate the
causes of pollution.
The programme of measures will be reviewed/revised half yearly or at regular intervals
as agreed
7.0
COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY
The seasonal bathing restriction for Youghal Front Strand will take the form of “Advice
against bathing” for the 2015 season.
The council recognizes that promoting awareness among users of Youghal Front Strand
bathing water, that the water quality assessment for the period 2011 – 2014 has been
assessed as Poor status, is a key element of the 2008 Bathing water regulations and
accordingly the council will seek to promote public awareness in the following ways
No
Description
Time
frame
29/05/15
Action by
1
Place EPA standard poor bathing water template
sign for seasonal bathing water advisory restriction
on beach notice board and at relevant access points
to beach.
This notice will include information regarding the
causes of the pollution affecting the bathing water
and measures taken (or planned), on the beach
notice board.
2
Review options to provide lifeguards with
whiteboards to give clear simple warning message
and direct bathers to notice boards to view most
recent results
1/06/15
Margaret Kennedy Divisional
Services/Water Safety
Development Officer
3
Provide information on the council’s website front
page as a news item
29/05/15
4
Provide similar information on the council’s beaches
web page and link to management plan
29/01/15
Margaret Kennedy Divisional
services/Communication
Officer
Jacinta Reynolds
Environment
5
Communications & updates to elected members
through presentations where requested at the
Southern Divisional Committee & Municipal District
Council East Cork
ongoing
6
Paul Murray Divisional
Services
Jacinta Reynolds
Environment/Shane
Kennedy Water Services
Capital
6
Webtext the elected members for the Eastern
Municipal District council to ensure they are
provided with access to the management plan to
answer queries from their constituents
29/05/15
Margaret Kennedy Divisional
Services/Communication
Officer
7
Identify local business & community group contacts
and extend webtext to agreed contacts.
29/05/15
8
Cork County Council communications officer to
advise on further measures that can be taken such
as media & local radio station briefs
ongoing
Margaret Kennedy Divisional
Services/Communication
Officer
Division/MDC/Comms office
8.0
CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contacts for Information on Youghal Wastewater Infrastructure

Irish Water Contact 1890 278 278

Water Services Capital Offices, Cork County Council, Model Business Park Model Farm
Road Co Hall Co. Cork. - Shane Kennedy shane.kennedy@corkcoco.ie 021 4819425
Beach operator responsible for beach management & signage:

Mr. Paul Murray, Executive Engineer, Phone 024 92365, Fax 02492573,
paul.murray@corkcoco.ie Cork County Council, Youghal, Co. Cork.

General Enquiries on beach management can be referred to beaches@corkcoco.ie. Tell
Phone 021 4285058
Media Communications

Queries relating to Youghal Wastewater Infrastructure - Irish Water Press office
press@water.ie

General Cork County Council Enquiries - Council Communications Officer Tom
OSullivan – 021 4285452
Contact for Bathing Water Analytical Results;

David Sheehan, bathingwater@corkcoco.ie Inniscarra laboratories Phone 021 4532702

Eliz Hipwell, bathingwater@corkcoco.ie
Inniscarra laboratories Phone 021 4532718
Further information on Youghal Front Strand – please see www.corkcoco.ie
under A-Z services under beaches
7
9.0 APPENDICES
9.1
Map 2: Local catchment area draining into the Bathing Water
8
9.2
Map 3: Greater catchment area draining into the Bathing Water.
9
9.3
APPENDIX TABLE 1
DETAILS OF PROPOSED MEASURES TO IMPROVE BATHING WATER QUALITY AT YOUGHAL
FRONT STRAND
YOUGHAL
TOWN
SEWERAGE
SYSTEM
Sewage
PRESSURE 1
PRESSURE TYPE
Microbial Pollution Potential
Pressure Description
HIGH
Currently, there are no waste water treatment
facilities in Youghal.The sewer network drains to
three main outfalls in the Blackwater Estuary (see
Map 2). There are also 7 combined storm overflows,
4 discharge to the Blackwater Estuary, 2 discharge to
the Ballyvergan Marsh & one discharges from the
effluent holding tank in the local marsh at the rear of
Youghal Front Strand, (see Map 1), via a short outfall
to the bathing water area, (this discharge to the
bathing area will be dealt with separately
SHORT TERM ACTIONS
Agency responsible
Contact
person
Target
timeframe
Complete the Youghal Main Drainage – Network
Contract which will upgrade & augment the
existing wastewater collection system in
Youghal
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Shane
Kennedy
Q2 2015
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Shane
Kennedy
Q2/Q3
2015
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Shane
Kennedy
Q1 2017
The Youghal Main Drainage – Waste Water
Treatment Plant DBOM Contract is ready to be
signed on receipt of a Foreshore Licence from
the Department of Environment, Community &
Local Government (DECLG)
LONG TERM ACTIONS
Commission new WWTP Plant & scheme
(capacity 16,000 PE) to address untreated
wastewater being discharged into the
Blackwater Estuary from Youghal.
10
PRESSURE 2
COMBINED STORM
OVERFLOW FROM FRONT
STRAND HOLDING TANK
TO BATHING WATER
PRESSURE TYPE
Sewage
Microbial Pollution Potential
Pressure Description
SEVERE
A combined sewer is piped through a low lying area
(at rear of beach) to Strand Holding tank, from where
it is pumped to main town sewerage system. There is
a combined storm overflow on this holding tank &
any overflow, (which may occur due to heavy
rainfall), is piped under the car parks, road &
promenade & out into the bathing water to a
discharge point approximately 200m off shore, (see
Map 1)
The following short & long term actions will
ensure that overflows from the Front Strand
holding tank are compliant with DECLG
guidelines on CSO discharges to bathing waters
SHORT TERM ACTIONS
Agency responsible
Contact
person
Target
timeframe
Complete Youghal Main Drainage – Network
Contract - which will upgrade & augment the
existing wastewater collection system in
Youghal
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Shane
Kennedy
Q2/2015
Carry out designed separation of Storm and
Foul flows entering the holding tank at
Kockaverry
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Shane
Kennedy
Completed
Shane
Kennedy
Q2/2015
Shane
Kennedy
Q2/2015
Shane
Kennedy
Completed
Shane
Kennedy
Q1/2015
Shane
Kennedy
Q1/2015
Install increased pump capacity at Front Strand
pump station
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Upgrade M&E system at Front Strand pump
station
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Complete installation of a 6mm powered screen
on the overflow from the holding tank.
Adjust weir level and baffle arrangement in the
holding tank.
Install new non return valve on the holding tank
overflow pipe
11
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
Upsize rising main from Front Strand pump
station.
Clear & clean out holding tank outfall pipe
LONG TERM ACTIONS
Shane
Kennedy
TBC
Shane
Kennedy
Completed
Shane
Kennedy
Q1 2017
Commission new WWTP Plant & scheme
(capacity 16,000 PE) to address untreated
wastewater being discharged into the
Blackwater Estuary from Youghal.
Irish Water/ Cork County
Council Water Services
Capital Offices
PRESSURE 3
DISCHARGE ONTO BEACH
VIA CULVERTS (from low
lying area at rear of beach)
PRESSURE TYPE
Sewage
Microbial Pollution Potential
Pressure Description
SEVERE
The immediate catchment area to the north of the
bathing water drains to the low lying area at the rear
of the bathing area (see Map 1), which then
discharges storm water directly onto the beach
through 2 culverts, (high & low level culverts),
constructed under the car parks, road & promenade
area, (see Map 1).
A combined sewer is piped through this low lying area
& occasional overflows through a manhole due to
heavy rainfall flow into the drains & ultimately
discharge onto the beach via the 2 culverts referred
to above.
In addition any uncontrolled foul discharges or any
agricultural run-off in this local area will ultimately
discharge to the beach via these culverts
SHORT TERM ACTIONS
Actions as for Pressure No 2 - the works
detailed at Pressure No 2 will also reduce
pressures on the Drainage network and reduce
risk of overflow from the manhole to the drains
in the low lying area and hence reduce
discharges via the culverts to the bathing water
Irish Water/ Cork
County Council
Water Services
Capital Offices
12
Shane Kennedy
Q2 2015
It is proposed to remove the combined sewers
in private land in the low lying area - this would
eliminate the man hole which occasionally
overflows to the drains, thus removing all
potential foul spillages to the upper and lower
culverts on the Front Strand
Irish Water/ Cork
County Council
Water Services
Capital Offices
Shane Kennedy
Q2 2015
Frank OFlynn
Ongoing
Frank OFlynn
Ongoing
Frank OFlynn
Ongoing
AGRICULTURE IN
WIDER
BLACKWATER
CATCHMENT
Agriculture
discharges
MODERATE
PRESSURE 3
PRESSURE TYPE
Microbial Pollution Potential
SHORT & LONG TERM ACTIONS
Cork County
Council
Environment
Directorate
Cork County
Council
Environment
Directorate
Cork County
Council
Environment
Directorate
Implement Good Agricultural Practice
Regulations for protections of Waters in the
catchment
Apply GAP regulatory requirements in the
assessment of Agricultural Planning applications
in the catchment
Respond to and follow up on any water
pollution complaints in the catchment
13