ECOFACT has recently prepared receiving water impact assessment (RWIA) reports for a large number of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WwTPs). Large scale assignments have included assessments of the WwTPs serving almost every town and significant village in Counties Laois and Kildare.
The studies include chemical and biological water quality assessments both upstream and downstream of the plants and the preparation of Waste Assimilation Capacity (WAC) models for the receiving waters. The purpose of the report was to assess whether the existing waste water discharge(s) from the plants are having a significant adverse impact on the receiving waters, or any Natura 2000 Site. The reports also recommend design standards necessary for proposed future plants to ensure compliance with the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). As a number of these WwTPs have been located within or adjacent to designated Natura 2000 sites, it has been necessary to complete individual Article 6 Appropriate Assessments for plants that were identified with potential to cause an adverse impact on a designated conservation site.
ECOFACT has also prepared impact assessments for treatment plants at Athlone, Co. Westmeath; Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny; Mountbellew, Milltown, Craughwell and Claregalway, Co. Galway; Thurles, Co. Tipperary; and Burnfoot, Co. Donegal. ECOFACT have also recently commissioned to prepare Receiving Water Impact Assessments for a number of private waste water treatment plants serving residential housing developments.
ECOFACT also prepared the full Ecology Section, including all specialist studies, of the EIS for the proposed Cork Lower Harbour Sewerage Scheme. The scheme would cover the areas of Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Passage West, Monkstown, Shanbally, Ringaskiddy and the wider lower harbour area. The proposed development will collect raw sewage and intercept numerous storm water outfalls, before treating collected sewage to a secondary level at a proposed new wastewater treatment facility near Carrigaline. The treated wastewater would be discharged inside the mouth of Cork harbour through the existing IDA outfall. Both terrestrial and marine ecological assessments were undertaken for this major scheme.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published new guidance in January 2019 for bats surveys at wind farm sites. These new guidelines are entitled “Bats and onshore wind turbines – survey, assessment and mitigation”. The document incorporates findings from the latest research on the impact of wind farms on bats. It is endorsed by all the statutory […]
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We are one of the leading companies in Ireland providing mammal surveys and assessments. We provide expert advise on both bats and terrestrial non-volant (i.e. non-flying) mammals. We undertake surveys for all terrestrial non-volant mammal species in Ireland, including Badger, Otter, Red Squirrel, Pine Marten, and non-native American Mink, among others. Our staff are fully […]
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We were delighted to work recently with BBC Earth on a documentary on Sea Lampreys Petromyzon marinus. The filming took place during early-June 2017 on the old River Shannon at Castleconnell, Co Limerick. This is part of the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation, and Sea Lampreys are a key conservation interest of this […]
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A major new book will be published in May 2017 entitled ‘Wildlife and Wind Farms: Conflicts and Solutions’. Volume 1 of this book includes a chapter prepared by Ecofact Principal Ecologist Dr. William O’Connor. The two-volume set provides a comprehensive overview of the interactions between wind farms and wildlife, each volume dedicated to one of the two […]
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Our staff are currently undertaking a number of wintering bird surveys in the Irish Midlands. Here we have provided some photos and videos from bird surveys we undertook during December 2015. Our bird surveys are undertaken to inform both the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) reports being prepared for proposed wind energy […]
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