Unique Reference Number: MYO-C11-71
Submission:
Environemental solutions to municipal sewage treatment plants
Author: River Moy Trust
Date Created: 14.02.2021 – 5:40pm
Consultation:
Draft Mayo County Development Plan 2021-2027
Status: Submitted
Date Submitted: 14.02.2021 – 5:59pm
Cover Letter
I represent the River Moy Trust who would like to protect and enhance water quality in the Moy Catchment Area. We work with communities at solving identified issues or pressures on water quality
Observations:
Community Reedbeds to reduce the pressure of waste water management
Chapter: Volume 1 – Written Statement » 07. Infrastructure
Topic: Wastewater, Water, Waste
I would like to see the council take a proactive step in relation to the pressure of waste water management on the River Moy. All wastewater that enters a water course ends up in Killala Bay .The River Moy is generally accepted as one of our most precious natural assets.We have a responsiblity to protect and enhance it. I am aware of the remit that Irish Water has in relation to the treatment of our sewage treatment plants and feel that we as Mayo people and separate communities to improve the quality of the thing that connects us all ,our rivers.
I propose that Mayo County Council participate with the River Moy Trust in a feasability study that will aim to create a roadmap aimed at empowering all the towns and villages in Mayo to look towards installing a reed bed system adjacent to their municipal waste treatment plant.
The project itself will demonstrate concrete results in relation to water quality as all existing treatment plants are monitored downstream from the discharge point. Pipes should be designed to take treated waste water to the newly installed reed bed system and then an adjacent pipe should return the reed bed treated water to the existing discharge pipe.
Monitoring done by EPA will demonstrate the science behind the project through results recorded by the EPA monitoring service.
I also propose that a reed bed sytem of considerable size is constructed along the waste water pipe that feeds out of Castlebar to Ballavary. Lands should be purchased immediately to again further treat this wastewater and help improve the status of this lake which is deemed poor.It along with Lough Conn are two of our great western lakes and the unique structure of the lake with its shallow waters lends itself to further proliferation of the pollutant discharge waters.
Main opinion:
Again , a no brainer ,well within the remit of the council to improve water quality and protect and enhance our natural resources. If we are to promote tourism, we need to protect or natural resources
Main requests:
Begin the project and engage with the River Moy Trust to deliver this project for all our communities
Main reasons:
For our future and our childrens future
Unique Reference Number: MYO-C11-70
Submission: Peatland Management strategy
Consultation:
Draft Mayo County Development Plan 2021-2027
Author: River Moy Trust
Date Created: 14.02.2021 – 5:09pm
Status: Submitted
Date Submitted: 14.02.2021 – 5:30pm
Cover Letter
This submisson is on behalf of the River Moy Trust and we aim to protect and enhance water quality in the Moy catchment area .We are an environmental group who would like to work on solving environmental and water quality issues arising in the catchment area
Observations:
Mayo County Council preserving natural heritage and carbon offsetting
Chapter: Volume 1 – Written Statement» 10. Natural Environment
Topic: Bogs
We would like to see Mayo County Council take a proactive step in relation to peatland management. Any bog lands owned by Mayo County Council should be identified by its Climate action department .Appropriate assessments should be carried out on all sites. All sites should be assessed for rewetting and the process commenced. Degrading bogs emit carbon and only by rewetting them, within 30cm of the surface can bogs be rehabilitated and sphagnum moss can spread all over the surface again and start absorbing carbon on behalf of our council. The peat banks stored in the bogs are locked in carbon and these along with the potential sequestration should be promoted as one of the councils steps in fighting climate action.
This process will also have huge benifits in flood management as the Moy valley has numerous peatlands that will help ‘slow the flow’ which is one of the key steps in Flood Management.
Biodiversity will be increased as a result of habitat restoration.
Water quality will increase due to the reduced leaching ofthe oxidised boglands
Mayo county council should also look at facilitating a process whereby turbary rights owners are facilitated towards rehabilitating bogs if they so wish.
Main opinion:
rewet coucil bogs now and facilitate other bogs to be rewet.its a no brainer.AII future planning applications that aim to build on peatland or low lying bog should be made to rewet the bog or peatland as a matter of policy going forward once the ‘Windmill’ or similar had being installed
The Draft Mayo County development plan 2021-2027 is available to read .Please make a difference and have your say .I have submitted two proposals to the council in relation to the use of reed bed systems as a bolt on to existing municipal waste treatment plants and one on the restoration of bogs and the potential for our council to be a major partner in this space and lead the way.Make a difference and have your say here.https://consult.mayo.ie/en or simply read the draft and inform yourself here.https://www.mayo.ie/planning/county-development-plans/2021-2027
