Overview
Millstreet Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the town of Millstreet in County Cork, Ireland. It treats wastewater for a population of approximately 3,388 under EU regulatory standards.
Millstreet Wastewater Treatment Plant is located in Drishane, County Cork, Ireland, within the Municipal District of Macroom. The plant serves the local population of around 3,388 people, providing essential wastewater treatment for the community. As a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment or equivalent. The directive requires appropriate treatment for discharges into freshwaters and estuaries, ensuring environmental protection. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the River Blackwater catchment, eventually reaching the Celtic Sea. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in this ecologically important river system, which supports diverse aquatic life and is a designated salmonid fishery.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Blackwater catchment, a major river system in Munster that flows into the Celtic Sea at Youghal. The Blackwater is known for its salmon and trout fisheries, and the treatment plant helps protect these habitats by reducing nutrient and pollutant loads. The surrounding area is rural with agricultural land use, making effective wastewater treatment crucial for preventing eutrophication in downstream waters.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Drishane, County Cork, Ireland, within the Municipal District of Macroom.
The plant serves approximately 3,388 people in the town of Millstreet and surrounding areas.
Treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that feed into the River Blackwater catchment, which flows into the Celtic Sea.
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 discharges into freshwaters and estuaries.
For small agglomerations under 10,000 population equivalent, the EU directive mandates appropriate treatment, typically secondary treatment such as activated sludge or biological filtration, to meet quality standards.
Nearby plants