Overview
Clonmel Waste Water Treatment Plant serves County Tipperary, Ireland, treating wastewater for approximately 34,909 people. The plant operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerat
Clonmel Waste Water Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located in County Tipperary, Ireland, serving the town of Clonmel and surrounding areas. The plant treats wastewater for a population equivalent of approximately 34,909, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. Its location near the River Suir places it within the Suir catchment, which drains into the Celtic Sea. As an Irish wastewater treatment plant, Clonmel operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day or similar units), indicating it is sized to handle the local wastewater load. The plant discharges treated effluent into the River Suir, which flows through Clonmel and eventually reaches Waterford Harbour and the Celtic Sea. The Suir is an important river for salmon and trout fisheries, and the plant's operations help protect water quality in this ecologically significant waterway. Proper treatment reduces nutrient loads and prevents pollution, supporting aquatic life and downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The Clonmel Waste Water Treatment Plant discharges into the River Suir, which flows southeast through County Tipperary and County Waterford before entering Waterford Harbour, a large estuary that opens into the Celtic Sea. The River Suir supports diverse aquatic life, including Atlantic salmon and sea trout, and its estuary is an important habitat for birds and marine species. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this sensitive river system, reducing the risk of eutrophication and protecting downstream coastal waters.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in County Tipperary, Ireland, near the town of Clonmel along the River Suir. Its address is on the Clonmel and Carrick on Suir Greenway in the Borough District of Clonmel.
The plant serves approximately 34,909 people, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the River Suir, which flows through Clonmel and eventually reaches Waterford Harbour and the Celtic Sea.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. Irish regulations implement this directive through national legislation.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment. In Ireland, this often involves biological treatment processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, with nutrient removal if the receiving waters are sensitive.