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The Pollution Control Division has responsibility for implementing Local Government Environmental Legislation covering such areas as water pollution, air pollution, nuisance and noise. It also has a general water quality monitoring and management role. Specific activities undertaken by the section include the investigation of water pollution incidents, licensing of discharges to waters and sewers, licensing of significant emissions to air, monitoring of drinking water, urban waste water plants, rivers and lakes.
Water Pollution & The Phosphorous Regulations, 1998
As water pollution is a major issue in County Limerick, much of the effort of the pollution control section is concentrated in this area. Only 48.2% of rivers in County Limerick are classed as unpolluted, as compared to a national figure of 62%. In addition, the Maigue and the Deel, which drain the majority of the County are the most polluted rivers in the Country in terms of phosphorous loading. Under the 1998 Phosphorous Regulations, there is
an obligation on the council to achieve a significant improvement in river water quality by 2007. To this end, the council has established a dedicated team consisting of an Agricultural Scientist and two Field Inspectors with administrative and technical backup to undertake a comprehensive programme of farm inspections, discharge licensing and general pollution investigations.
Shannon River Basin District Management System
In addition to the above, Limerick, Clare and Roscommon County Councils are jointly leading a project to establish a management system for the Shannon River Basin District. The aim of the management system is to set up a monitoring network to identify the pressures on water quality in the region and to devise a programme of measure to tackle the various sources of pollution. This project will look at the entire Shannon Catchment from the source in County Cavan to the estuary, which is bounded by counties Limerick, Clare and Kerry. All water bodies will be examined, including surface, ground, estuarine and coastal waters and wetland habitats. The management system will take approximately four years to establish and the estimated cost is €8.25million (funded under the National Development Plan). Fundamental to the success of the project is the involvement of sectoral interests including fisheries, forestry, industry, agriculture, local authorities, state agencies and voluntary organisations.
Discharge Licences
Commercial activities, which are connected to the public sewer, require a licence under Section 16 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 & 1990. In addition, with few exceptions, effluent discharge to waters require a licence under Section 4 of the Water Pollution Acts. Currently there are 19 licences in place in County Limerick for discharges to waters and 30 for discharges to sewers.
Large industrial or agricultural activities require an Integrated Pollution Control Licence from the Environmental Protection Agency. There are 19 IPC licensed companies in County Limerick. A number of these also have consents to discharge to public sewers.
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