European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) Regulations 2006
S.I. No. 268 of 2006
Regulation 6 Action Programme
Inner Bantry Bay, Co. Cork.
Date Designated:
1994 under the Quality of Shellfish Waters Regulations (S.I. No. 200 of 1994, as
amended by S.I No. 459 of 2001). These Regulations have now been replaced
by the European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) Regulations, 2006
(S.I. No. 268 of 2006).
Boundaries:
The designated shellfish area of Inner Bantry Bay at the head of the bay covers
the area of approximately 1100ha, east of an imaginary line due south from
Ardnamanagh South on the mainland to Whiddy Point East on Whiddy Island,
and from Cusroe on Whiddy Island due south to the mainland near Dromclough,
to the high water mark, with the exclusion of Bantry Harbour. The attached map
shows boundaries, discharge points, and aquaculture licensed sites. The area
shown on the attached map corresponds to the area shown on the Map of Record
associated with S.I. No. 268 of 2006.
Sampling and Analysis: Sampling point is within a 50m radius of 098 110E 049 380N (Lat. 51 41 17
N, Long. 09 28 26.7 W).
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has been tasked by the Minister for Communications,
Marine and Natural Resources (CMNR) with undertaking the sampling and
monitoring regime required under the Directive and the Regulations. This is
carried out in conjunction with the Marine Institute (MI).
Responsibilities of Public Authorities:
The Minister for CMNR is primarily responsible for ensuring implementation of
the terms of the Directive and the implementing Regulations. For this purpose
the Shellfish Waters Management Committee (SWMC) has been established by
the Minister for CMNR (see section on “Review of Programme” below).
Regulation 4 of S.I. No. 268 of 2006, inter alia, places an obligation on every
public authority that has functions, the performance of which may effect shellfish
waters, to perform its functions in a manner that promotes compliance with the
Directive and the Regulations, and to take such actions that will secure
compliance with the Directive and the Regulations and with this action
programme. The “prescribed public authorities” are those listed in Schedule 1 to
S.I. No. 268 of 2006 and are consulted by the Minister for CMNR in establishing
and reviewing this action programme, and in investigating any instances where
the designated waters fail to comply with mandatory standards. Some of the
“prescribed public authorities” are also represented on the SWMC.
Description of Area: Bantry Bay in the South West of Ireland is approximately rectangular with a
longitudinal axis aligned in a 30˚ - 210˚ direction. The entrance lies at the south
western end and has direct exposure to the Atlantic. It is 34km long and its width
varies from 8 to 0.5 km. Depths at the northern end of the bay are up to 25
metres, but on the whole average 10 metres, with a tidal range of 1.4 – 3 metres.
The catchment is dominated by parts of the Caha and Sheehy mountain ranges,
and covers approximately 23,900ha. The bedrock is Old Red Sandstone, often
exposed in places, and there are a number of boulder and pebble beaches along
the shore. There are three main rivers entering the designated area, the Coomhola,
the Owvane and the Mealagh. Together they make up approximately 50% input
to the freshwater entering the entire bay. Water quality in each is moderately
good to good, according to EPA monitoring.
Tourism, aquaculture and agriculture are among the larger commercial activities
in the area. There is also an oil terminal on Whiddy and a quarry in Adrigole, as
well as house building and redevelopment associated with this thriving area.
Population:
The population of the catchment is approximately 5,300. There are 3,150 people
living in Bantry town. The remainder (approximately 2,150), lives in the rural
areas of the catchment.
Sewage Collection Systems:
The sewage from Bantry Town is collected near the town square, macerated and
pumped out 100m west of main pier, within the designated area. There is also an
older sewage system which collects from some of the older buildings in the town
and this is piped out 100 meters east of the main pier; this is a relatively small
flow in comparison. The DEHLG is awaiting revised contract documents from
Cork County Council for the treatment plant under the Bantry Sewerage Scheme.
It is likely that tenders will be invited in late 2006, with the plant being
commissioned in late 2008.
Septic Tanks:
The population of the remainder of the catchment is approximately 2,150. These
use standalone septic tank systems, not connected to the town sewers. The village
of Ballickey (population <200) is due to install a secondary wastewater treatment
with disinfection system. The Electoral Districts that border the designated area of
Bantry Bay cover an area of 9,149 hectares. The population of these Districts is
5,006, of which 3,150 live in areas serviced by centralised sewage systems. The
remaining 1,856 which lives in the Electoral Districts adjacent to the designated
area represent a population density of 0.2 per hectare. The geology of the
catchment is a mix of sandstone and volcanic rocks. Neither is a good aquifer.
Development:
Bantry town is a thriving business and tourist town, and as such there is sustained
pressure for housing, tourist accommodation and for premises for light industry.
To have planning permission granted for one-off housing, it is necessary to show
that the soil conditions on the site are suitable for the purpose. There must be
adequate percolation to make the use of a septic tank efficient, and these tanks
must be sited an adequate distance from water courses to minimise the risk of
contamination of water bodies.
Agriculture:
Farming in the area is mostly small scale, low density sheep and cattle farming,
and forestry. Sheep numbers in the South west region have been reduced by 16%
between 1995 and 2004, reducing their potential impact on water quality. Cattle
numbers have decreased by 2% in the same interval. With the advent of
decoupling of headage payments this number is expected to fall further in the
immediate future.
More generally, S.I. No. 788 of 2005 (European Communities (Good Agricultural
Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2005) will significantly enhance
measures for the protection of waters from potential pollution from agriculture.
Whiddy Oil Terminal: The oil terminal on Whiddy Island, within 1km of the designated area, is
operated by Bantry Terminals Limited, part of the multinational Phillips Group. It
continues to provide storage facilities for the Irish strategic oil reserve and for
output from offshore oil fields in Irish coastal waters, and is developing a
commercially viable oil storage/ transhipment operation. The oil is stored in large
tanks held on the Terminal's 350 acre site on the island, where there is capacity to
hold 1 million tonnes. The Single Point Mooring on the north side of Whiddy is
capable of handling tankers of between 35,000 and 320,000 tonnes. Smaller
vessels of up to 4,500 tonnes can be berthed at the jetty in the Small Craft
Harbour to the south-west of the island and this is generally used for the loading
of refined products. There is an ongoing programme of environmental sampling
and monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency and Bantry Terminals
Ltd., to ensure that activity at the Terminal does not pose a significant threat to
the environment
Adrigole Quarry:
One of the largest quarries in Ireland is located on the north side of the Bay at
Leahill, close to Adrigole, approximately 10km from the designated area. This
coastal quarry, which is operated by Tarmac Fleming, has estimated mineral
reserves of up to 120 million tonnes. It began operations in 1991, and produces
quartzitic sandstone used principally in construction of road surfaces. It has a
quarry licence issued by Cork Co. Council, but no emissions to water or sewer are
allowed under the licence. In 2002 production was approx. 600,000 tonnes.
Shellfish Activity:
Longline mussel culture was adopted locally in the 1970’s, and now covers 200
ha. Average production between 2000 and 2004 was 2479 tonnes per annum.
Most of this production is processed in two factories further up the Bay, greatly
enhancing its value and providing further employment. In addition to this a few
small boats fish for shellfish in the Inner harbour landing approximately 50 tonnes
annually, the main species include shrimp, prawns, scallops, crabs and
periwinkles.
Classification:
Sites within Bantry Bay are variously classified ‘A’ and ‘B’ for mussels and sea
urchins in accordance with the European Communities (Live Bivalve Molluscs)
(Health Conditions for Production and Placing on the Market) Regulations, 1996
(S.I. No. 147 of 1996).
Summary of Total Discharges (all types) in relevant catchment area relating to Designated
Shellfish Area.
Discharge Type
No. Discharging
directly into area
No. Discharging
in a 5km radius
No. Discharging
in a 5-10Km
radius
No. Discharging
in a 10-20Km
radius
1
Nil
1
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
1
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
Nil
3
Nil
2
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Untreated Sewage
IPPC
Section 4
Section 16
Treatment Plant
CSO
Drainage
Other
Assessment of Compliance
Results from sampling over the past 12 months shows that the area is in compliance for parameters 1-9.
Organohalogen levels have been below the limit of detection.
The level of faecal coliforms recorded exceeded the Guide value in the Directive in 50% of samples
over the past 12 months. The waters do not therefore meet the Guide value.
Risks /Actions regarding Discharges
Type: Untreated Sewage
Discharge Ref.
Bantry
Level of
treatment
Untreated
Pop. Equ.
/Volume
Not known
Responsible
Authority
Cork County
Council
Risks/Actions and Timescale
Action: In WSIP to commence construction of a
secondary treatment plant in 2007. Indicative
timeframe for completion and the plant becoming
operational is 2008.
Issues: A revision of the Contract Documents is
awaited by DEHLG as well as the additional
Local authority documentation, Marginal Cost
Report etc. Foreshore licence application being
processed by DCMNR.
Type: IPPC
Discharge Ref.
Bantry
Terminals Ltd.
IPC No. 419
Level of
treatment
Not Applicable
Pop. Equ.
/Volume
No licensed
volumetric
flow limit
Responsible
Authority
Environmental
Protection
Agency
Risks/Actions and Timescale
Issue: Ongoing Risk of Hydrocarbon pollution
needs to be monitored. Oil Spill Contingency
Plan is in place to deal with any pollution
incidents. No specific action required at this
time.
Type: Section 4 Discharge Licence
Discharge Ref.
Westlodge
Hotel
Marino Hostels
Ltd.
Level of
treatment
Biocycle
Sewpac SAM
system
Pop. Equ.
/Volume
Not known
12 m3/day
Responsible
Authority
Cork County
Council
Cork County
Council
Risks/Actions and Timescale
Issue: Licence is under review by Cork Co. Co.
due to changes to treatment (possibly to cater for
expanded capacity).
Action: BIM has requested copy of reviewed
licence. BIM to liaise with Cork Co Co on
ongoing monitoring data.
Issue: Cork Co. Co. currently reviewing
monitoring and compliance with licence
conditions.
Action: BIM to liaise with Cork Co Co on
licence review and ongoing monitoring data.
Type: Waste Water Treatment Plant
Discharge Ref.
Bantry
Bantry
Terminals
WWTP
Level of
treatment
Preliminary
Secondary
Pop. Equ.
/Volume
3150 inc
hospital
50
Responsible
Authority
Cork County
Council
Cork County
Council
Risks/Actions and Timescale
Action: In WSIP to commence construction of a
secondary treatment plant in 2007. Indicative
timeframe for completion and the plant becoming
operational is 2008.
Issues: A revision of the Contract Documents is
awaited by DEHLG as well as the additional
Local authority documentation, Marginal Cost
Report etc. Foreshore licence application being
processed by DCMNR.
No specific action called for. BIM to liaise with
Cork Co Council regarding ongoing monitoring
data.
Discharges assessed as not having an impact on water quality in designated area
Discharge ref.
Glengarriff housing Scheme
Garinish Island Visitors centre
Fastnet Mussels
Bantry Bay Seafoods
Glengarriff
Eagle Point Caravan Park
Dowlings Caravan Park
O’Sheas Caravan Park
Type
Untreated Sewage
Section 4
Section 4
Section 4
WWTP Septic Tank
Secondary Treatment
Secondary Treatment
Secondary Treatment
Reason for Discounting
Distance from Designated Area
Distance from Designated Area
Distance from Designated Area
Distance from Designated Area
Distance from Designated Area
Distance from Designated Area
Distance from Designated Area
Distance from Designated Area
Other Actions:
● Ballylickey is mainly served by septic tanks at present. The village has been included in the
WSIP to commence construction of a secondary treatment plant in 2007, with the plant
becoming operational in 2008. Foreshore licence application from Cork County for ballylickey
Sewerage Scheme being processed in DCMNR. This application needs to be processed as a
matter of urgency to ensure that it does not delay delivery of scheme.
 Continued monitoring of water quality within the designated area.
 Continued liaising between all relevant agencies to ensure that information is up to date, accurate
and available to all interested parties.
Review of Programme
This action programme will be managed by the SWMC consisting of representatives of the Minister for
Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, BIM, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the M.I. Other public authorities, as relevant to the particular geographical area encompassed by the
programme, may also be represented.
This programme will be reviewed every six months. Comments, suggestions etc. can be relayed to the
Coastal Zone Management Division, Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources,
Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, tel: 6782000, fax: 6782159, or e-mail foreshore@dcmnr.gov.ie.
Key:
IPPC – Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence issued by the Environmental Protection
Agency under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992.
Section 4 – a licence issued by the relevant local authority under Section 4 of the Local Government
(Water Pollution Act), 1977 for the discharge of trade effluent or sewage effluent to waters.
Section 16 - a licence issued by the relevant local authority under Section 16 of the Local Government
(Water Pollution Act), 1977 for the discharge of any trade effluent or other matter (other than domestic
sewage or storm water) to a sewer.
CSO – Combined Storm Overflow.
WSIP – Water Services Investment Programme.
DEHLG – Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
DCMNR – Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
26 May 2006