Overview
Birr Waste Water Treatment Plant serves County Offaly, Ireland, treating wastewater for approximately 13,213 people. The plant operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC.
Birr Waste Water Treatment Plant is located in Birr Urban ED, County Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland. It serves a population of around 13,213, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and discharges into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the River Shannon system. As an Irish wastewater treatment facility, Birr WWTP is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees compliance through discharge licensing. The plant is expected to meet the directive's standards for biological oxygen demand and suspended solids removal. The treated effluent from Birr WWTP is discharged into the River Brosna, a tributary of the River Shannon. The Shannon is Ireland's longest river, flowing through Lough Derg and into the Shannon Estuary before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in the Brosna and Shannon catchments, supporting aquatic life and downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
Birr WWTP discharges into the River Brosna, which flows into the River Shannon, Ireland's largest river system. The Shannon drains into the Shannon Estuary and then the Atlantic Ocean. The catchment supports diverse aquatic habitats, including salmonid fisheries and important wetland areas. The plant's treatment performance is critical for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive river network.
Frequently asked questions
Birr WWTP is located in Birr Urban ED, Birr, County Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland. It serves the town of Birr and surrounding areas.
The plant serves approximately 13,213 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
Treated effluent from Birr WWTP is discharged into the River Brosna, a tributary of the River Shannon, which flows into the Shannon Estuary and eventually the Atlantic Ocean.
As an Irish plant, Birr WWTP operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. Compliance is enforced by Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through discharge licensing.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving populations between 10,000 and 150,000 are required to have secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Some plants may also incorporate nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas.
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