Overview
Enniskerry Waste Water Treatment Plant serves the village of Enniskerry in County Wicklow, Ireland. It treats wastewater from a population of approximately 4,510 and discharges into the local water environment.
Enniskerry Waste Water Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located on Bray Road in Ballywaltrim, County Wicklow, Ireland. It serves the village of Enniskerry and surrounding areas, with a population equivalent of about 4,510. The plant is situated inland, approximately 10-50 km from the coast, and operates under Ireland's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). As a small agglomeration (under 10,000 population equivalent), the plant is required to provide secondary treatment under the EU directive, unless discharging into a sensitive area which may necessitate more advanced treatment. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain to the Irish Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Dargle River catchment and downstream coastal waters, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Dargle River catchment, which flows through County Wicklow and enters the Irish Sea at Bray Harbour. The downstream environment includes estuarine and coastal habitats that support diverse marine life, including fish populations and migratory birds. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to the coast and the presence of designated bathing waters and shellfish waters, which require high water quality standards.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Bray Road, Ballywaltrim, in the Municipal District of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. It serves the village of Enniskerry and surrounding areas.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 4,510 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses within the Dargle River catchment, which flows into the Irish Sea at Bray Harbour.
The plant operates under Ireland's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size unless discharging into sensitive areas.
For small agglomerations (under 10,000 PE) in Ireland, secondary treatment is standard under the EU directive. Some plants may also incorporate nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive waters.