European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters)
Regulations 2006
S.I. No. 268 of 2006
Regulation 6 Action Programme
Killary Harbour, Co. Mayo.
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Regulations have now been replaced by the European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 area runs the entire length of the Harbour, from
the high water mark at Aasleagh at the head to Dooneen at the
mouth of the harbour, which opens to the Atlantic Ocean.
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 083 170E, 262
425N (Lat. 53 35 55 N, Long. 9 45 55.5 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
D:\106758679.doc
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:Killary Harbour is a fiord-like inlet straddling the county
boundaries of Galway to the south and Mayo to the north on the
West Coast of Ireland. The landscape is dominated by
Mweelrea Mountain to the north, and the Maam Turk
mountains to the south. Their slopes are steep and mainly
covered by peat with associated vegetation. The Harbour is
15km long and 0.75km wide with an average depth of 15m, and
a max depth of 45m. The catchment is approx 250km2
(25,000ha), most of it lying within the 3 SAC’s, and is made
up of a mix of blanket bog, transitional scrubby woodland,
unfertilized grasslands and some improved grazing. Three main
rivers feed into the harbour, the Erriff and Bundorragha on the
Mayo side, and the Bunowen on the Galway side. They
contribute about 10% of annual freshwater input to the harbour.
Each is an important salmon fishing river, and each is regularly
monitored by the EPA. Results indicate that they are
unpolluted.
Marine activities in the area include sailing, diving,
windsurfing, pleasure cruising and angling.
Population:
The population of the catchment is 2,334. The geology of the
area is described as a mix of metasediments, with an aquifer
which is classed as moderately productive. At present there is
no sewage collection system for the Village of Leenane
(population <200), the only centre of population in the
Electoral Districts which border the designated area.
Sewage Collection Systems:
Currently there are no operational sewage collection systems in
the area around Killary Harbour. A waste water collection
system for the village of Leenane is under construction and is
due for completion later this year. Tenders for the construction
of the waste water treatment plant will be invited this summer
with construction to start by year end and completion in 2007.
Septic tanks:
D:\106758679.doc
All houses in the area currently dispose of waste water via
septic tanks. The Electoral Districts along the shore of the
designated area extend to 24,786 hectares and the population of
these Districts is 696. This gives an average population density
for these districts of 0.03 people per hectare.
Development:
There is no pressure from industry in the catchment around
Killary Harbour. There is however some demand for housing,
both for locals and for holiday homes.
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:
There are approximately 5,000 cattle and 77,000 sheep in the
catchment. Sheep numbers in the Western region have been
reduced by 15% between 1995 and 2004, reducing their
potential impact on water quality. Cattle numbers have
dropped by 3% 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.
Salmon Farming:
Salmon farming in the harbour has averaged 1,660 tonnes per
annum between 2000 and 2004. Licences are concentrated on
the southern side of the harbour.
Shellfish Activity:
The harbour has an important rope mussel industry. Average
production between 2000 and 2004 was approx 784 tonnes p.a.
There are 16 shellfish licences in the entire bay and one
application for a new shellfish licence.
There is a detailed Coordinated Local
Management System plan for Killary Harbour.
Classification:
D:\106758679.doc
Aquaculture
Killary Harbour is classified ‘B’ (mussels) 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
Untreated
Sewage
IPC
Section 4
Section 16
Treatment Plant
Drainage
Other
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
Nil
2 (Salmon
Farm and
Tour Boat)
Nil
6
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
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 faecal Coliform count has exceeded 300 cfu per 100g of flesh in three of the four
samples from 2005. Thus the area cannot be deemed to meet the Guide value for this
parameter at this point in time.
Prior to these latest readings Killary had been 100% compliant in respect of parameter
10, while the latest result is also within the Guide value. In the light of this, and the
particularly high readings BIM are investigating the sampling and analysis carried out
in recent tests with a view to establishing any underlying reasons for the abnormal
results. It is proposed to take additional samples to establish a more detailed
assessment of the changes in faecal coliform counts in the bay.
Risks /Actions regarding Discharges.
Type: Untreated Sewage:
Discharge
Ref.
Leenane
Village
D:\106758679.doc
Level of
treatment
None
Pop. Equ.
/Volume
Not
Specified
Responsible
Authority
Galway
County
Council
Risks/Actions and Timescale
Issue: Lack of treatment.
Action: Construction work is ongoing
on collection system and tenders for the
Secondary Treatment plant are due to be
invited this Summer. Completion
expected in 2007.
Type: Section 4
Discharge
Ref.
K2
Adventure
Centre
Leenane
Cultural
Centre
Level of
treatment
No Data
Secondary
Scuba Dive
West
No Data
Pop. Equ.
/Volume
No Data
Responsible
Authority
Galway
County
Council
Not
Specified
Galway
County
Council
No Data
Galway
County
Council
Risks/Actions and Timescale
Issue: Lack of monitoring Data.
Breaches of Licence conditions in 2002.
Action: BIM to liaise with Galway Co
Co re licence position and ongoing
monitoring.
Issue: Lack of monitoring Data.
Breaches of Licence conditions in 2002.
Action: BIM to liaise with Galway Co
Co re licence position and ongoing
monitoring.
Issue: Lack of monitoring Data.
Breaches of Licence conditions in 2002.
Action: BIM to liaise with Galway Co
Co re licence position and ongoing
monitoring.
Delphi
Outdoor
Pursuit
Centre
Secondary
Delphi
Salmon
Hatchery
Secondary
Delphi
Lodge and
Cottages
Secondary
35m3/day
4000m3/day
12.5m3/day
Mayo
County
Council
Issue: Lack of monitoring Data
Mayo
County
Council
Issue: Lack of monitoring Data
Mayo
County
Council
Action: BIM to liaise with Galway Co
Co re ongoing monitoring.
Action: BIM to liaise with Galway Co
Co re ongoing monitoring.
Issue: Lack of monitoring Data
Action: BIM to liaise with Galway Co
Co re ongoing monitoring.
Type: Waste Water Treatment Plant
Discharge
Ref.
Leenane
Hotel
Level of
treatment
Primary
Pop. Equ.
/Volume
Not
Specified
Responsible
Authority
Galway
County
Council
Risks/Actions and Timescale
Issue: Level of treatment.
Action: Per Galway County Council the
hotel effluent will go to the new Leenane
Secondary Treatment plant which is due
for completion in 2007. The hotel will
lay the necessary piping.
Type: Other
Discharge
Ref.
Connemara
Lady
(Tour Boat)
D:\106758679.doc
Level of
treatment
None
Pop. Equ.
/Volume
Not
Specified
Responsible
Authority
Galway
County
Council
Risks/Actions and Timescale
Issue: No discharge data.
Action: Tour Boat is licensed by
Maritime Safety Directorate of Dept. of
Transport. As part of this the operator is
required to conform to national
regulations governing the discharge of
sewage, garbage or oily water. BIM and
DCMNR to follow up with Galway and
Mayo County Councils as regards
ongoing monitoring arrangements.
Salmon
Farms
n/a
N/a
DCMNR
Issue: Potential impact on BOD in the
area.
Action: DCMNR to review benthic
monitoring for all relevant sites with
Marine Institute.
Discharges assessed as not having an impact on water quality in designated area
Discharge ref.
An Oige Hostel, Rosroe
Little Killary Adventure Centre
Killary Salmon
Type
Section 4
Section 4
Section 4
Reason for Discounting
Closed
Closed
Closed
Other Actions:
• It is understood that Galway County Council has undertaken to check the
operation and effectiveness of septic tanks in environmentally sensitive areas.
BIM will request regular reports from Galway Co. Council on progress of this
work in relation to the designated area including timeframes for completion.
• Continued monitoring of water quality in the designated area.
• Continue liaising between 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.
D:\106758679.doc
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
D:\106758679.doc