A review is under way in my Department as to what waters may need to be designated as sensitive areas for the purposes of the urban waste water treatment directive in addition to the ten areas already designated by the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, (Urban Waste Water Treatment) Regulations, 1994. The need for designation of the Cork harbour area is being considered in the context of this review. The effect of designation of a water body as a sensitive area is generally to require a higher level of treatment of discharges of waste waters from the larger agglomerations into that body of water. The treatment to be provided is determined by reference to the particular circumstances, for example, removal of phosphorus and/or nitrogen.
To assist the review, the Environmental Protection Agency is, at the request of my Department, carrying out an assessment of the trophic status of estuarine and coastal waters and I understand that the assessment is likely to be finalised by the agency and made available to my Department shortly. I hope to be in a position shortly thereafter, therefore, to make a decision as to the need to designate all or part of the Cork harbour area as a sensitive area.
The Cork main drainage scheme, costing more than £200 million, is due for completion in 2003. Provision has been made in its design to facilitate the installation of nutrient reduction facilities on a modular basis should this become necessary. Appropriate provisions have been incorporated into the tender documents to allow for the retrofitting and operation of such facilities.
The European Commission has recently indicated its view that most member states should designate a wider range of waters as sensitive waters. My Department has already advised the Commission of the review now under way and of our intention to designate a further seven freshwater bodies as sensitive areas. We have also advised that designation of the position in relation to estuaries and coastal waters will be finished following consideration of the imminent EPA assessment of the trophic status of such waters.
