Overview
Clara Waste Water Treatment Plant serves the town of Clara in County Offaly, Ireland. It treats wastewater from approximately 3,785 people before discharging into local waterways.
Clara Waste Water Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located in Clara, County Offaly, in the Irish midlands. The plant serves a population of around 3,785 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Irish and EU regulations. It operates within the Municipal District of Tullamore and is part of Ireland's national wastewater infrastructure. As a plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) requirements for secondary treatment, unless discharging into a sensitive area. The plant's treatment process and capacity details are not publicly available, but Irish wastewater plants are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations. The treated effluent from Clara Waste Water Treatment Plant is discharged into the local river system, which ultimately drains into the River Shannon, Ireland's longest river. The Shannon flows through Lough Derg and into the Shannon Estuary, supporting diverse aquatic life and important habitats. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this ecologically significant catchment.
Environmental context
Clara Waste Water Treatment Plant discharges into the River Brosna, a tributary of the River Shannon. The Shannon system drains into the Shannon Estuary and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and trout populations, and is an important ecological corridor. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this sensitive freshwater environment.
Frequently asked questions
Clara Waste Water Treatment Plant is located at the former Clara GAA grounds on Marian Square in Clara, County Offaly, Ireland. It serves the town and surrounding area within the Municipal District of Tullamore.
The plant serves approximately 3,785 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU definitions. This population is typical for a rural town in the Irish midlands.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local river system, which flows into the River Brosna, a tributary of the River Shannon. The final receiving water is the Atlantic Ocean via the Shannon Estuary.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. It is also regulated by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency under the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations.
For small agglomerations (under 10,000 people) in Ireland, secondary treatment is standard unless the receiving water is a sensitive area requiring more advanced treatment. The plant must meet EU standards for biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids.
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