elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 4: Infrastructure and Services
The Draft Regulations:
Give legal status to the criteria and standards to be used for classifying surface waters in
accordance with the ecological objectives approach of the Water Framework Directive.
Establish environmental objectives for the protection of surface waters whose status is high or
good (as classified by the EPA) and require the restoration of waters of less than good status to
at least good status by 22 December 2015 (this date may be extended subject to certain specified
conditions).
Establish a wide range of environmental quality standards to provide a more coherent and
comprehensive system of quality objectives for all Ireland’s surface waters. These include
standards for 41 chemical substances (e.g. pesticides, heavy metals and other groups of
substances such as flame retardants) established at EU level and also 16 chemical substances
relevant in an Irish context.
Prohibit point and diffuse source discharges liable to cause water pollution except where such
discharges are subject to prior authorisation or general binding rules. Discharge authorisations
must lay down emission limits that aim to achieve the environmental objectives/quality
standards specified in the Regulations.
The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations (2009)
are a revision, with amendments, of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for
Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 and 2007. Their purpose is to provide for strengthened
enforcement provisions and better farmyard management in order to comply with an EC judgment in
relation to the Dangerous Substances Directive, and to provide the legal basis for the operation of
derogation under the Nitrates Directive granted to Ireland by the European Commission. The opportunity
was also taken to consolidate the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of
Waters) Regulations and to make a number of other miscellaneous amendments. The main new features
incorporated in the Regulations are:
Strengthened enforcement powers for local authorities.
Enhanced cross-reporting arrangements between local authorities and the Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Requirements for improved farmyard management
Provisions relating to making application to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for a
derogation
Temporary exemption to allow an extension of time for establishment of green cover following
ploughing competitions.
4.3.3 Physical Context
Water supply, sewerage, and surface water disposal are all considered to be critical issues for Elphin at
present. These issues are extremely problematic and further large-scale development should be curtailed
until these issues have been addressed, in order to ensure the sustainable long term development of the
town. The Council acknowledges these issues and may consider development premature pending the
development of appropriate infrastructure.
The Council will therefore seek to ensure that development in Elphin occurs in-tandem with the upgrading
of sanitary services in the area, the availability of waste-water treatment, and capacity of receiving waters
in the area.
1. Water Supply
The North-East Regional Water Supply Scheme serves Elphin and its source is Lisheen Lake. The water
currently receives filtration, chlorination and fluoridation at the source. The water is then pumped to
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 24