Overview
Westport Waste Water Treatment Plant serves County Mayo, Ireland, treating wastewater for approximately 14,600 people. The plant discharges into the local environment within 50 km of the coast, supporting water quality in the region.
Westport Waste Water Treatment Plant is located on Roman Island in Kilmeena ED, Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, County Mayo, Ireland. It serves a population of around 14,600, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under Irish and EU regulations. The plant is situated near the coast, within 50 km of the Atlantic Ocean, and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the Westport area. As an Irish wastewater treatment facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or similar units), indicating the plant's scale. The regulatory framework ensures that the plant meets appropriate standards for effluent quality before discharge. The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean via local watercourses. The receiving environment includes coastal waters that support diverse marine life and are important for local fisheries and tourism. Proper treatment helps protect the sensitive coastal ecosystem from nutrient pollution and other contaminants, maintaining water quality for both ecological and recreational uses.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local watershed that drains to the Atlantic Ocean near Westport, County Mayo. This coastal area supports diverse marine habitats, including rocky shores and estuaries, which are important for fish, seabirds, and invertebrates. The region's water quality is influenced by both natural conditions and human activities, and effective wastewater treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and protect the ecological health of the downstream coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Roman Island in Kilmeena ED, Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, County Mayo, Ireland.
The plant serves approximately 14,600 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated wastewater from the plant is discharged into local watercourses that flow to the Atlantic Ocean, within 50 km of the coast.
As an Irish plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size to protect the environment.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people typically require secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and nutrients.