Overview
Ballinasloe Waste water treatment plant serves County Galway, Ireland, treating wastewater for approximately 12,100 people. The facility operates under Irish and EU regulations for urban wastewater treatment.
Ballinasloe Waste water treatment plant is a municipal facility located in Ballinasloe Urban ED, County Galway, Ireland. It serves a population of around 12,100 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses. As an Irish wastewater treatment plant, it operates under the European Union Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant is expected to meet these regulatory standards to protect water quality. The plant's discharge ultimately flows into the River Suck, a tributary of the River Shannon, which is the longest river in Ireland and drains into the Shannon Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. The Shannon catchment supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. Proper treatment at Ballinasloe helps maintain water quality in this significant river system.
Environmental context
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the River Suck, which flows into the River Shannon, Ireland's largest river system. The Shannon Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean receive the final discharge. The catchment supports salmon, trout, and other freshwater species, and the estuary is a vital habitat for migratory birds and marine life. Maintaining treatment standards is essential to protect these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Ballinasloe Urban ED, Ballinasloe Municipal District, County Galway, Ireland.
The plant serves approximately 12,100 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
Treated effluent is discharged into the River Suck, which flows into the River Shannon and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Shannon Estuary.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with potential for more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people typically require secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and nutrients.
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