Overview
Carrick on Shannon Waste Water Treatment Plant serves 5,176 people in County Leitrim, Ireland. The plant discharges into the River Shannon, supporting the local watershed and downstream ecology.
The Carrick on Shannon Waste Water Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located in County Leitrim, Ireland, serving a population of approximately 5,176. Situated near the River Shannon, the plant plays a key role in managing wastewater for the town of Carrick-on-Shannon and surrounding areas. As a plant serving a small agglomeration, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater systems. The facility's treatment processes are designed to meet national standards set by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency, ensuring compliance with water quality objectives. The treated effluent is discharged into the River Shannon, Ireland's longest river, which flows through Lough Derg and into the Shannon Estuary before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's operations help protect the river's ecological health, supporting aquatic life and maintaining water quality for downstream communities and habitats.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Shannon, which drains into the Shannon Estuary and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The river supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and trout, and is an important migratory corridor. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive system.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in County Leitrim, Ireland, near the town of Carrick-on-Shannon, along the River Shannon.
The plant serves approximately 5,176 people in the Carrick-on-Shannon area and surrounding parts of County Leitrim.
The treated effluent is discharged into the River Shannon, which flows through Lough Derg and into the Shannon Estuary before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
As a plant serving a small agglomeration in Ireland, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater systems.
For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment is typically required under EU directives, often involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge.