Overview
Swinford Waste water treatment plant serves County Mayo, Ireland, treating wastewater for approximately 3,500 people. The facility operates under Ireland's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Swinford Waste water treatment plant is located in County Mayo, Ireland, within the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. The facility serves a population of approximately 3,500 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent are required to provide secondary treatment. As a plant in this category, Swinford WWTP is expected to meet secondary treatment standards, which involve biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water environment, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the River Moy and Killala Bay. The River Moy is a significant salmon and trout fishery, making the plant's performance important for protecting aquatic life and water quality in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Moy catchment, which flows into Killala Bay on Ireland's west coast. The River Moy is one of Ireland's premier salmon rivers, supporting diverse aquatic life including Atlantic salmon, sea trout, and European eel. The downstream environment includes estuarine and coastal habitats that are ecologically sensitive, requiring careful management of nutrient and pollutant loads to maintain water quality and biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
Swinford Waste water treatment plant is located in County Mayo, Ireland, within the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. The facility serves the town of Swinford and surrounding areas.
The plant serves approximately 3,500 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
The plant discharges into the River Moy catchment, which flows into Killala Bay. The River Moy is a major salmon and trout fishery, and the plant helps protect water quality in this ecologically important river system.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent must provide secondary treatment. Swinford WWTP, serving 3,500 people, is required to meet secondary treatment standards to reduce organic pollution and protect receiving waters.
For small agglomerations in Ireland, typical treatment includes secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Disinfection may also be applied if required by local conditions.
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