Profile Id: BWPR00291 Year Of Profile: 2015 Year Of Identification 1992 Version Number: 1 1. Profile Details: Toilets Available: Yes Car Parking Available: Yes Disabled Access: No First Aid Available: Yes Sensitive Area: Yes Dogs Allowed: Yes Lifesaving Facilities: No Figure 1: Bathing Water Bathing Water Profile - Clogherhead (2015) Bathing Water: Clogherhead Bathing Water Code: IENBBWC025_0000_0200 Local Authority: Louth County Council River Basin District: Neagh Bann Monitoring Point: 316409E, 283213N
Transcript
Profile Id: BWPR00291
Year Of Profile: 2015
Year Of Identification 1992
Version Number: 1
1. Profile Details:
Toilets Available: Yes
Car Parking Available: Yes
Disabled Access: No
First Aid Available: Yes
Sensitive Area: Yes
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Lifesaving Facilities: No
Figure 1: Bathing Water
Bathing Water Profile - Clogherhead (2015)
Bathing Water: Clogherhead
Bathing Water Code: IENBBWC025_0000_0200
Local Authority: Louth County Council
River Basin District: Neagh Bann
Monitoring Point: 316409E, 283213N
2. Bathing Water Details:
Bathing Water location and extent:
The fishing village of Clogherhead is located on the east coast of Ireland in the County of Louth, approximately 70km north of Dublin. The headland affords uninterrupted views of the Cooley and Mourne Mountains 30km to the north and to Lambay Island 35km to the south. The village is in close proximity to the historic town of Drogheda. The village developed around the fishing industry with the waters of Clogherhead reputed as being the best fishing waters in the country. The harbour, known as Port Oriel was built in 1885. It was extensively enlarged and re-opened in 2007.
Main features of the Bathing Water:
Type of Bathing Water
Clogherhead beach is a large open sandy beach that is gently sloping. The beach is facing mainly to the east. It is bordered to the north by a small headland and the designated bathing area extends for approximately 1430 meters to the south. The beach is bordered by a carpark and caravan park to the rear. There is an area of dunes that extends from beyond the carpark along the rear of the beach. There is an area of rocks to the north (outside the designated bathing area that are partially submerged at high tide. There are two small rip currents at the north end of the beach. The bathing area is approximately 1430m in length.
Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone
The riparian zone is natural (sand dunes and rocks) within the bathing area. Wildlife located here is common to all beaches in Co Louth are Razorshells, Crabs, Whelks (nb grazing tracks), limpets, Jellyfish, Sea beet, Seaweed and sand hoppers.
Water Depth
The beach at the bathing area is gently sloping into the sea.
Tidal Range
The beach is mesotidal. The approximate difference between MHWS and MLWS is 4.0m at River Boyne and 4.5m at Dundalk (Soldiers Point).
Land Use
Sensitive Area
Max. number of visitor during a day in high season:
Approx number of visitor during the bathing season:
Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent
Activities available at the Bathing Water:
The Foreshore Byelaws 2003 are in existence to exclude motorized vehicles from the beach. The average daily visitor numbers to this beach estimated during the bathing season is 200.
Contributing catchment details:
The topography of the land is predominantly flat at the northern end and rises up to Castlecoo Hill near Clogherhead only to descend back down to the Termonfeckin Valley. The head at Cloghehrhead is the most dominant feature. The bathing water area is close to an S.A.C which is located immediately to the north of the bathing area .The area is popular with day trippers from Monaghan west Meath and Louth. Also the village of Clogherhead is be a holiday destination with several caravan parks and chalets in the area surrounding the village and bathing water.
Monitoring point details: X 316409 Y 283213
Reason for selection of the monitoring point:
This was found to be the area where most number of bathers frequent.
Water quality assessment: Bathing Water Results 2012 showed the overall status to be Good. The results can be viewed in the 2012
Bathing water report EPA.The results from 2013 show the same good status. The results from 2014 showed excellent status.
3. Identified Pressures:
Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment
Description: Local houses in the vicinity of the village that would have some form of on site effluent treatment system.
Source: Waste water Treatment Systems
Type: Septic Tank
Short Term Pressure: No
Description: Forestry Related activity including planting and clear felling
Source: Forestry
Type: Other
Short Term Pressure: No
3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk:
Description: There is a municipal Waste Water Treatment Plant which services the village of Clogherhead with a direct discharge out to sea approx 400m from the bathing area. The Waste Water Treatment plant provides secondary treatment prior to discharge. The treatment plant has sufficient capacity to for the current population equivalent 2000 p.e. There is also an emergency overflow at the treatment plant. The overflow is used here in the event of a malfunction at the Waste Water Treatment plant .There is a scheduled maintenance programme is in place for both plant equipment maintenance and sewer network cleansing
Source: Waste water treatment Plant
Type: Waste Water Treatment plant
Short Term Pressure: Yes
Nature: Moderate Risk
Frequency: Infrequent
Duration: < 72 hours
Risk AssessmentMethodology:
The WQI is graded at A for Clogherhead. According to the Microbial Pollution Potential grade is considered Low. However, there is an emergency overflow at the Waste Water treatment plant. If this is used then the Microbial Pollution Potential is Moderate.
3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk:
Risk Assessment Results:
The Microbial Pollution Risk is considered Moderate. There would be a risk if there was a failure at the WWTP
Details: The Microbial Pollution Risk is considered Moderate. There would be a risk if there was a failure at the WWTP. There has been no known direct pollution incidents from the Waste Water Treatment plant. However in line with the EPA guidance on for the development of Bathing Water Profiles it has been determined that the overall risk would relate to the emergency overflow being used or a malfunction at the Plant.
Management Measures:
Should any short term pollution be identified the relevant authorities will be notified i.e.HSE , Irish Coast guard. Notices to be erected at the bathing area and posted on the Councils website advising of the pollution. Once the pollution is abated notice will be given to the public (website and notice at the beach) and the relevant authorities
Description: Combined Sewer overflow and stream beside rocks at the north end of the bathing area beside the overflow from the pumping station. , if there is a blockage in the system the overflow may flow into the suface water pipework and into the sea at this point. Due to the proximity of this to the designated bathing area it is considered that the outfall from this location may pose a risk to bathing water quality during heavy rainfall.
Source: Urban Drainage
Type: Sewer Networks
Short Term Pressure: Yes
Nature: High Risk
Frequency: 1/month
Duration: < 72 hours
Risk AssessmentMethodology:
The discharge point is relatively close to the designated bathing area. The quantity discharged is mainly dependant on the amount of rainfall and if there are any blockages within the system. If no rainfall is present then the risk to bathing waters would be very low however during heavy rainfall there may be a slight risk to bathing water. The overflow could be activated during heavy rainfall. Clogherhead WWTP has a licence which was issued by the EPA on April 2015.. As part of the conditions of the licence all storm water overflows have to be in compliance with the DoECLG Procedures and Criteria in Relation to Storm Water Overflows 1995 and any other guidance specified by the EPA..There is a scheduled maintenance programme is in place for both plant equipment maintenance and sewer network cleansing
Risk Assessment Results:
The discharge point is relatively close to the designated bathing area. The quantity of the discharge produced is mainly dependant on the amount of rainfall. If no rainfall is present then the risk to bathing waters would be very low however during heavy rainfall there may be a risk to bathing water. The 95 percentiles monitoring result is estimated at Water Quality Impact grade A with a value between 0-40, According to the EPA guidance on the development of bathing water profiles the Microbial Pollution Potential the overflow is considered Very High as it is a direct discharge onto the beach. Although the overflow occurs during heavy rainfall it has not impacted on the bathing water quality. However following this review a conservative approach has been taken to the pollution potential from this overflow. Therefore based on this the Microbial Pollution Potential is Severe.
Details: In line with the EPA guidance on for the development of Bathing Water Profiles it has been determined that the overall risk of the overflow being used would be in cases of heavy rainfall therefore the potential for microbial pollution would be severe if the overflow is in use.
Management Measures:
There is a permanent notice placed at this stream advising no swimming/bathing here. The caretaker for the sewage treatment plant regularly checks the sewage lines as part of the routine maintenance. Should any short term pollution or overflow events be identified the relevant authorities will be notified i.e.HSE ,Irish Water EPA. Notices to be erected at the bathing area and posted on the Councils website advising of the pollution. Once the pollution is abated notice will be given to the public (website and notice at the beach) and the relevant authorities.
Description: The beach is popular with visitors at weekends and during sunny periods over the bathing season and litter can be a problem. The litter is waste paper/plastic packaging bottles cans and may include faecal material dog faeces and nappies.
Source: Litter on beach
Type: Bathers
Short Term Pressure: Yes
Nature: Low Risk
Frequency: 1/Fortnightly
Duration: < 48 hours
Risk AssessmentMethodology:
Assessment undertaken during the bathing water season.Mostly paper and cans.
Risk Assessment Results:
Assessments show that much of the waste is general litter (paper, plastic bottles). There was evidence found of dog faeces on the beach.
Details: Pollution of this nature would be genrally linked to warm and sunny weather conditions
Management Measures:
The beach is and continues to be cleaned cleaned throughout the bathing season.
Description: Diffuse sources: The Stream that flows onto the beach flows through areas of farmland were slurry couldbe spread/stored (farmyards). The flow of the stream at the point onto the beach is dependant on weatherconditions.
Source: Riverine
Type: Run off from agricultural land
Short Term Pressure: Yes
Nature: Low Risk
Frequency: <1/Monthly
Duration: < 72 hours
Risk AssessmentMethodology:
Farm surveys have been carried out within the sub catchment and their locations in proximity to the bathing area have been identified. Current and previous results indicate good water quality at the bathingarea, which meet the blue flag criteria. There is however a risk of short term pollution on the beach whichcould arise from adverse weather conditions (heavy rainfall, wind etc).
Risk Assessment Results:
There is a stream as previously described which flows onto the bathing area. No known point sources discharge into the stream at any point from its source The population surrounding the stream is small.There could be a risk of diffuse pollution to the stream particularly during adverse weather condition. The flow of the stream at the point onto the beach is dependant on weather conditions. The results from thestream indicate a level of microbial numbers however the bathing water results in recent years have been good. There is no known sewage discharges to the stream. Based on this information the Water QualityImpact (WQI) is grade A, the overall Microbial Risk Assessment to the bathing water is low.
Details: The risk of short term pollution arising at the bathing area from the stream would increase during periodsof adverse weather conditions (heavy rain etc).
Management Measures:
Should any short term pollution be identified the relevant authorities will be notified i.e.HSE , Irish Coastguard. Notices to be erected at the bathing area and posted on the Councils website advising of thepollution. Once the pollution is abated notice will be given to the public (website and notice at the beach)and the relevant authorities
Description: Aquatic Birds
Source: Seabirds
Type: Bird colony
Short Term Pressure: Yes
Nature: Low Risk
Frequency: 1/monthly
Duration: < 48 hours
Risk AssessmentMethodology:
Aquatic birds occasionally frequent the bathing waters.
3.3 Other Risks:
Assessment of the potential for proliferation of cyanobacteria:
Based on the bathing water results and historical data the proliferation of Cyanobacteria is considered to be low. No known cases of Cyanobacteria has developed at this beach.
Proposed management measures for cyanobacteria:
The Council inspect farms to ensure farmers are adhering to the provisons under the nitrate regulations and to ensure that farmers spread slurry and store slurry in accordance with these regulations. The beach will be monitored through out the bathing season. Should any serious proliferation of brown algae occur at the bathing area a risk assessment of its potential effects will be carried out and if deemed necessary the relevant agencies EPA and HSA and the media will be notified. The information will be disseminated to the public via notices at the bathing area, the Council’s website and local media
Assessment of the potential for proliferation of macroalgae:
Visual inspections will be carried out at the bathing areas during the bathing water season, particularly if the weather conditions are calm and no currents.Should any information be received from the Marine Institute or the EPA the relevant agencies and the media will be notified The information will be disseminated to the public via notices at the bathing area, the Council’s website and local media.
Risk Assessment Results:
There would be low risk to bathing water quality associated with the seabirds. The pressence of these birds at the bathing waters would give rise to faecal contamination and may have a negative effect on the bathing water quality .
Details: If the seabirds are in the vicinity of the bathing water then they could have a negative impact on the bathing water quality. The number of seabirds at the site may determine the risk to the bathing water quality.
Management Measures:
The council will monitor the beach throghout the bathing season. Should any abnormal bathing water result be obtained the council will take appropriate action whcih will include warning notices at the beach and on the council website aswell as getting information to the EPA and HSE.
Description: Pumping Station at the north end of the bathing area. Due to the proximity of this station to the designated bathing area it is considered that an overflow from this location may pose a risk to bathing water quality however there has been no known incident of this occurring.
Source: WWTP systems
Type: Sewer Networks
Short Term Pressure: Yes
Nature: High Risk
Frequency: infrequent
Duration: < 72 hours
Risk AssessmentMethodology:
The discharge/overflow could be considered to be a short outfall as the discharge point is relatively close to the designated bathing area. There is no treatment of the overflow therefore the Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment for an overflow is High. The 95 percentiles monitoring result is estimated at Water QualityImpact grade A with a value between 0-40.According to the Microbial Pollution Potential the overflow is considered Very High as it is a direct discharge onto the beach. If this is used then the Microbial Pollution Potential is Severe. However there has been no known incidents of this occurring.
Risk Assessment Results:
The Microbial Pollution Risk is considered Severe if there was a mechanical/electrical failure at the pumping station. However there has been no known equipment failure here
Details: In line with the EPA guidance on for the development of Bathing Water Profiles it has been determined that the overall risk of the overflow being used would be in cases of a mechanical/electrical failure resulting in the overflow being used here.
Management Measures:
There is a permanent notice placed at this stream advising no swimming/bathing here.Should any short term pollution or discharge be identified the relevant authorities will be notified i.e.HSE , Irish Water Notices to be erected at the bathing area and posted on the Councils website advising of the pollution. Once the pollution is abated notice will be given to the public (website and notice at thebeach) and the relevant authorities
Proposed management measures for macroalgae:
There have been no known incidents of marine phytoplankton at Port. The Marine institute monitors for toxins from shelfish designated areas off the Louth Coast (Carlingford Lough approx 15 miles North). No known proliferations have been reported. Based on this the potential for proliferation of this is low. This will be monitored throughout the bathing season.
Assessment of the potential for proliferation of marine phytoplankton:
Brown Macro algae has occurred at this beach in the past. This will be monitored through out the bathing season.There was a case of phytoplankton occuring close to the Louth Coast in 2015.The EPA reported that there was phytoplankton growth in the water of the Louth Coast in 2015.Following information received from the Marine Institute the EPA advised that there is no known effects to bathers.
Proposed management measures for marine phytoplankton:
Visual inspections will be carried out at the bathing areas during the bathing water season, particularly if the weather conditions are calm and no currents. The Marine institute monitors for toxins from shelfish designated areas of the Louth Coast. Should any information be received from the Marine Institute or the EPA the relevant agencies i.e. HSA and the media will be notified The information will be disseminated to the public via notices at the bathing area, the Council’s website and local media.
Additional Information:None
4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years:
