Overview
Castlebar Waste Water Treatment Plant serves County Mayo, Ireland, treating wastewater for approximately 16,183 people. The plant operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive standards.
Castlebar Waste Water Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located on Dublin Road in Turlough, County Mayo, Ireland. It serves the town of Castlebar and surrounding areas, with a population equivalent of approximately 16,183. The plant is situated inland, about 50 km from the coast, and discharges into the local river system. As a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations, the plant is required to meet secondary treatment standards as per the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousand cubic meters per day or similar), indicating the plant's scale. Treatment processes are typical for such facilities, involving mechanical and biological stages to reduce organic load and nutrients before discharge. The treated effluent is released into the River Moy catchment, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Killala Bay. The River Moy is a significant salmon and trout fishery, and the plant's operations are critical for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system. The plant contributes to protecting downstream habitats and supporting local biodiversity.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Moy catchment, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean via Killala Bay. The River Moy is a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive, supporting Atlantic salmon, otter, and freshwater pearl mussel. The plant's treatment standards help maintain water quality for these protected species and the broader estuarine ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Dublin Road in Turlough, Castlebar Municipal District, County Mayo, Ireland.
The plant serves approximately 16,183 people in the Castlebar area and surrounding communities.
Treated effluent is discharged into the River Moy catchment, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Killala Bay.
As an Irish plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
Plants of this scale in Ireland typically employ secondary treatment processes, including biological treatment and settlement, to meet EU standards for organic matter and nutrient removal.