Overview
Ballybunion Waste Water Treatment Plant serves 3,760 people in County Kerry, Ireland. The facility discharges treated effluent into the local environment, supporting water quality in the region.
Ballybunion Waste Water Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located in the Listowel Municipal District, County Kerry, Ireland. Serving a population of approximately 3,760, the plant is part of the wastewater infrastructure for the coastal town of Ballybunion on the Atlantic coast of Munster. The plant operates under Ireland's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for collecting and treating wastewater from agglomerations of this size. The treated wastewater is discharged to the local environment, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean via the River Shannon estuary or direct coastal outfall. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of Ballybunion's beaches and the surrounding marine ecosystem, which supports tourism and local biodiversity.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean near Ballybunion, a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and golf links. The receiving environment includes the Shannon Estuary to the north, a large estuarine system that supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and sea trout. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its coastal dunes and marine habitats, which rely on good water quality to sustain recreational use and wildlife. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient enrichment and pathogen contamination in these waters.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in the Ardagh Electoral Division, Listowel Municipal District, County Kerry, in the province of Munster, Ireland.
The plant serves approximately 3,760 people, covering the town of Ballybunion and surrounding areas in County Kerry.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, likely into the Atlantic Ocean near Ballybunion, either directly or via a coastal outfall, contributing to the protection of local beaches and marine habitats.
As a small agglomeration serving fewer than 10,000 people, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires at least secondary treatment for such facilities to protect receiving waters.
In Ireland, wastewater treatment plants serving populations of this size typically employ secondary treatment, such as activated sludge or biological filtration, to meet EU standards and protect sensitive coastal environments.
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