environmental impact statement kilmainhamwood compost facility ...

5361- Kilmainhamwood Compost Facility Extension- EIS
Surface water attenuation infrastructure is proposed for the Kilmainhamwood Compost facility. A low
lying forested area adjacent and south east of the existing facility building will be used to provide
storage volume to cater for a 1 in 100 year storm event. The greenfield runoff rate to the existing
drainage ditch will be controlled by a hydrobrake. An overflow, downstream of the oil interceptor, will
discharge into the storage area. When the storage area fills, some water will infiltrate to ground and the
remainder will discharge back to the existing drainage ditch over time. The water level in the storage
area, for a 1 in 100 storm event, will be a minimum of 500mm below the finished floor levels of the
facility buildings. The proposed surface water attenuation infrastructure is illustrated on Drawing No.
5361-2402.
Groundwater
Given the presence of low permeability, deep subsoil (>10m), the presence of hardstanding throughout
the site and the bunded facility building, the potential connection between the facility and the
groundwater body is negligible. If there is a negligible connection between the facility and the
groundwater body, the potential impact on the groundwater is therefore negligible. This applies to both
existing and potential impacts.
The source-pathway-receptor (SPR) concept is frequently used to analyse contamination risks to
groundwater. Within this concept, if one of the three components of the SPR is missing, there is no
contamination linkage and therefore the risk posed is negligible. In this case the fully bunded facility
buildings coupled with the presence of greater than 10m of low permeability subsoil means that there is
no pathway and therefore no contamination linkage to groundwater. Furthermore good site
management, good waste handling procedures and monitoring (as per requirements of the EPA waste
licence) further limits the potential risk of contamination to groundwater.
There are a small number of wells recorded within 1km of the site. It is not envisaged that the
implementation of the proposed development will have an adverse impact on groundwater resources.
The groundwater chemistry in the existing on site boreholes (BH1-BH3) reflects the natural
groundwater quality within the Kingscourt Gypsum Groundwater Body. The water requirements at the
site are low.
For inspection purposes only.
Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
The proposed development would have a potential to cause groundwater contamination from leakages
from the wastewater collection and disposal systems and from vehicular fuel spillages and leakages on
roads and car parking areas. The depth of overburden at the site affords a moderate vulnerability to
potential contamination sources. Furthermore, the existing water and wastewater disposal systems will
prevent the occurrence of contamination leakage.
In summary the potential impact on the surface water and groundwater environment is assessed as
low.
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