Overview
Portarlington Waste water treatment plant serves County Offaly, Ireland, treating wastewater for approximately 9,266 people. The plant operates under Ireland's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Portarlington Waste water treatment plant is located in the Municipal District of Edenderry, County Offaly, Ireland. It serves a population of around 9,266 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and discharges into local watercourses. As an Irish wastewater facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees compliance, ensuring that treated effluent meets quality standards to protect receiving waters. The plant's treatment process is designed to handle the organic load from the community. The treated effluent from the plant flows into the River Barrow system, which drains into the Celtic Sea via Waterford Harbour. The Barrow is an ecologically significant river supporting diverse aquatic life, including salmon and lamprey. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in this sensitive catchment area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Barrow, a major river in southeastern Ireland that flows into Waterford Harbour and the Celtic Sea. The Barrow catchment supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including salmonid fisheries and freshwater pearl mussel populations. The plant's operations are critical to preventing nutrient enrichment and maintaining the ecological health of this important river system.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Portarlington North ED, in the Municipal District of Edenderry, County Offaly, Ireland.
The plant serves approximately 9,266 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the River Barrow, which flows into Waterford Harbour and the Celtic Sea.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), implemented by Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 2,000 and 15,000 people are required to provide secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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