Wastewater treatment plant performance can be optimised where key control parameters are recorded and assess on a regular basis.  Optimisation of the performance of a treatment plant can significantly reduce operational costs and/or add value to a business. There are many different types of wastewater treatment plants, physical, chemical and biological.  All treatment plant operate...

The revised Firewater Retention Guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presents key changes relating to to qualifying criteria.  The revised qualifying criteria will need to be considered when undertaking your firewater retention assessment: Environmentally hazardous substance storage thresholds are now based on hazard statements instead of risk phases.  Environmental receptors are now an explicitly...

The European Commission has selected two new projects on clean ocean energy for funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). While the first tidal farms in European waters are being deployed and more and more devices are being tested in water, the idea of obtaining clean energy through the oceans’ waves is also...

The EPA has released a new water indicators’ report for Ireland. The 16 indicators in the report provide information on the quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, beaches and groundwaters.  These indicators will help identify the right actions for the protection and improvement of water quality in Ireland and will help track progress with the implementation of the...

The Environmental Protection Agency  is organising the National Water Event 2018 titled “Pathways to Progress” on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st June 2018 in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway. This event is a key forum for Local Authorities, Regulators and Water Professionals to learn about current changes in Ireland’s water policy and practices. Talks will...

Under the Water Services (No 2) Act 2013, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) approves Irish Water’s Water Charges Plan, which sets out water services charges with regard to new connections, special meter reads, meter testing, and charges for provision of water and wastewater services to domestic and non-domestic customers. In approving the Water Charges...

The Water Systems and Services Innovation Centre (WSSIC) at the Nimbus Research Centre in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) is undertaking a project on the role of water reuse in Ireland in the context of the circular economy.  The project is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020. One key...

The Local Authority Waters & Communities Office has been set up to raise public awareness and encourage local communities, public bodies and all stakeholders to work together in the management of our natural waters. The office has a staff complement of 3 regional coordinators, 3 support officers based in Clonmel and 12 Community Water Officers...

The European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014 places new obligations on Local Authorities in coordinating the catchment management and public participation elements of the Water Framework Directive.  It assigns responsibility to Local Authorities for regional coordination, public participation, and support to the Minister and the EPA in the development and implementation of the River Basin...

The Water Framework Directive was introduced by the European Union to protect and improve water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, costal waters and groundwater. Under this directive a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures is drawn up every six years and sets out how public bodies, stakeholders and local communities can work together...