Overview
Castlemartyr Wastewater Treatment Plant serves 2,400 people in County Cork, Ireland. The facility operates under Ireland's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Castlemartyr Wastewater Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located on Ladysbridge Road near the village of Castlemartyr in County Cork, Ireland. It serves a population of approximately 2,400 people within the Municipal District of East Cork, part of the Munster region. The plant is situated in a rural setting, contributing to the local wastewater management infrastructure. As a plant serving a small agglomeration, it falls under the requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates appropriate treatment for discharges into freshwater and estuarine environments. For populations under 2,000, secondary treatment is typically required, while for those between 2,000 and 10,000, secondary treatment is standard unless the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity of 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or similar unit) aligns with its population served. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local catchment, which ultimately drains into the Celtic Sea via the Bandon River or nearby coastal waters. The region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory fish species. Proper treatment helps protect the ecological health of downstream water bodies and the coastal environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the catchment of the Bandon River, which flows into the Celtic Sea near Kinsale. The downstream environment includes estuarine habitats that support diverse aquatic life, including salmon and sea trout. The coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, with important nursery grounds for marine species. Effective wastewater treatment is crucial to prevent nutrient enrichment and maintain water quality in this region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Ladysbridge Road near Castlemartyr village in County Cork, Ireland, within the Municipal District of East Cork.
The plant serves approximately 2,400 people in the Castlemartyr area and surrounding rural communities in County Cork.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local catchment, which drains into the Bandon River and eventually the Celtic Sea, supporting estuarine and coastal ecosystems.
As an Irish plant serving a small agglomeration, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for populations between 2,000 and 10,000.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving 2,000 to 10,000 people typically require secondary treatment, unless the receiving waters are designated as sensitive, in which case more advanced treatment may be needed.
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