5. Course Exercises

Catchment Science & Management
Training Course
Photograph: Loch An Dúin,
Training Course
Exercises
Dingle, Co. Kerry ( J. Doheny)

Day 1 - Morning Session
ICM STEP 2: CREATE & COMMUNICATE A VISION OF ICM
Stakeholder Perspective
You are currently living within the catchment of a lake that has been
experiencing pollution problems, manifesting
blooms.
During the summer the Local Authority placed warning notices about
toxic algae around the lake, there are headlines in the local and
national press, and questions are being asked in Dáil Éireann about
what is to be done regarding this problem.
Please draw a role from the “hat” on your table. As a group go round
the table and introduce your selected role to the others.
Record your selected role
From your selected stakeholder’s perspective discuss
What is the potential significance of these water quality issues
What actions do you think you and your
What impacts might these actions have on
What support might help change take place?
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CREATE & COMMUNICATE A VISION OF ICM –
You are currently living within the catchment of a lake that has been
manifesting in the form of algal
the Local Authority placed warning notices about
toxic algae around the lake, there are headlines in the local and
and questions are being asked in Dáil Éireann about
problem.
” on your table. As a group go round
the table and introduce your selected role to the others.
From your selected stakeholder’s perspective discuss the following with your stakeholder group
What is the potential significance of these water quality issues for you and your stakeholder
and your stakeholder group could take in response to these issues?
What impacts might these actions have on you and your stakeholder group’s activities?
help change take place?
with your stakeholder group:
stakeholder group?
take in response to these issues?

2
What actions do you think others could take in response to these issues?
Discuss the following with the other stakeholders at your table:
If a catchment wide group were to be formed to focus on addressing pollution in the lake, list what groups its likely
membership might include?
Draft a short statement to describe what your group’s collective future vision of the lake would be?

3
Lough Leane Catchment and Subcatchments

4
Lough Leane experienced severe algal blooms in 1997 and a Working Group was formed in response. The parties
participating are listed as follows (some departments have changed name in the intervening period):
• An Taisce
• Coillte
• Cork/Kerry Tourism
• Department of Agriculture and Food
• Department of the Environment and Local Government
• National Parks and Wildlife Service
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Forestry Services
• Irish Creameries and Milk Suppliers Association
• Irish Farmers’ Association
• Irish Hotels Federation
• Kerry County Council
• Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Killarney Traders Association
• Killarney Nature Conservation Group
• Killarney of the Welcomes
• Killarney Salmon and Trout Angling Club
• Killarney Urban District Council
• Lough Leane Anglers Association
• Munster Regional Trout Angling Council
• Save Our Lakes and Valley Environment
• Southern Health Board
• South Western Regional Fisheries Board
• Teagasc
Discuss how this compares to the membership of the group that you had proposed:
Are there parties that you are surprised to see there or are there additional parties that might be of relevance?
Do you consider this group membership to be balanced?
What would you see as being the main benefits of such a group?
Which of these two visions about the lake do you think the Lough Leane Working Group wrote?
1. A catchment based approach for reducing nutrient inputs from all sources to the Lakes of Killarney
2. Let’s not be remembered as the generation that destroyed Lough Leane
What does Loch Léin mean?

Day 1 - Afternoon Session
ICM STEP 3: CHARACTERISE THE CATCHMENT
Desk study produced a catalogue of characterisation maps showing physical features
Review the characterisation maps for the Lough Leane Catchment
Physical Characteristics - The catchment can be generalised into two different zones (northern and southern)
- What are the key features and descriptors of the northern zone
- What are the key features and descriptors of the southern zone
What is the principal physical characteristic that is dictating this contrast?
5
CHARACTERISE THE CATCHMENT – Desk Study
esk study produced a catalogue of characterisation maps showing physical features and
for the Lough Leane Catchment and comment on the following:
catchment can be generalised into two different zones (northern and southern)
What are the key features and descriptors of the northern zone
What are the key features and descriptors of the southern zone
characteristic that is dictating this contrast?
and anthropogenic pressures.
the following:
catchment can be generalised into two different zones (northern and southern)

10
Pressure Characteristics - Which of these two zones do you consider the main pressures on water quality in the
catchment to be found?
Using the table below and considering the catchment as a whole:
• Suggest the top three sources of point and diffuse pressures and which main pollutants might these
activities give rise to?
• What pathways and receptors might these pressures manifest in terms of water quality?
Water Quality Status Characteristics: The desk study considered water quality status data from existing monitoring
programmes. This included lake monitoring as shown in the graph below and Table 1 and river Q status.
Killarney WWTP was upgraded in the mid 1980s resulting in an improvement in water quality.
Point Source Pressures? Potential Pollutants? Pathway? Receptor?
Diffuse Source Pressures Potential Pollutants? Pathway? Receptor?

11
Table 1: Lough Leane Trophic Status (system & measurements), 1984 – 2013 Courtesy of Kerry CoCo
Trophic Status Total Phosphorus
ug/l (P)(mean)
Chlorophyll mg/m3
(Mean)
Chlorophyll
mg/m3(Max)
Transparency m
(Mean)
Transparency m
(Min)
Oligiotrophic <10 <2.5 <8 >6 >3
Mesotrophic 10 _ 35 2.5 _ 8 8 _25 6 _3 3 _ 1.5
Moderately
Eutrophic
35 _ 100 8 _ 25 26 _ 35 3 _ 1.5 1.5 _ 0.7
Strongly Eutrophic 36 -55
Highly Eutrophic 56 - 75
Hypertrophic >75
Trophic Status Year Total Phosphorus
ug/l (P)(mean)
Chlorophyll mg/m3
(Mean)
Chlorophyll
mg/m3(Max)
Transparency m
(Mean)
Transparency m
(Min)
Mesotrophic 1984 22 6.7 30.3 2.9 1.2
Mesotrophic 1985 25 5.3 14 2.6 1.2
Mesotrophic 1986 16 4.4 17.6 2.9 1.1
Mesotrophic 1987 16 4.5 14 3.3 2.2
Mesotrophic 1988 18 5 13.6 3.3 2.2
Mesotrophic 1989 17 3.8 9.5 3.2 1.2
Mesotrophic 1990 13 2.4 6.7 3.3 1.9
Mesotrophic 1991 16 2.2 7.1 3.2 2
Mesotrophic 1992 16 2.9 8.5 2.7 1.5
Mesotrophic 1993 24 4.4 12 2.8 1.1
Mesotrophic 1994 14 4.8 14 2.4 2
Mesotrophic 1995 17 5.3 15.6 2.6 2
Mesotrophic 1996 25 4.1 12.3 2.6 2.2
Hypertrophic 1997* 23 10.3 127 2 1
Highly Eutrophic 1998 23 8.6 73 2 1.2
Mesotrophic 1999 16 5.4 23.7 2.3 1.6
Mesotrophic 2000 13 5.4 17.3 2.5 1.8
Mesotrophic 2001 13 4.5 9.6 2.8 1.9
Mesotrophic 2002 24 6.4 17.7 2.7 1.8
Mesotrophic 2003 17 6.4 20.2 2.9 1.8
Mesotrophic 2004 23 6.5 19.6 2.6 1.8
Mesotrophic 2005 21 4.7 12.4 2.9 1.6
Mesotrophic 2006 22 4.5 10.4 3.1 2.2
Mesotrophic 2007 15 4.8 10.9 3.5 1.8
Mesotrophic 2008 13 3.7 8.8 3.2 2.2
Mesotrophic 2009 8 4.1 8.9 3 1.7
Mesotrophic 2010 9 3.9 12.6 3.3 1.8
Mesotrophic 2011 9 7.2 19.5 2.9 2.2
Mesotrophic 2012 10 4.1 15.6 2.8 2.1
Mesotrophic 2013 7 3.8 8.6 2.8 1.8
Mesotrophic 2014 9 3.1 6 3.3 2.2
*1997 was the year of severe algal episode

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River Biological Status
Considering these existing sources of status information:
What conclusion might you draw from initial examination of these data? (Comment on lake status versus river status
and therefore where the main pressures appear to be originating from.)
Can you suggest an additional dataset that would help with the initial assessment of these data?

13
River Phosphorus Regulation Status
Does the above map suggest that there may be potential pressures or critical zones that influence water quality
which might have been overlooked by considering only the biological data?
What extra information might be useful to examine before field visits?
What would you aim to learn from a field programme?
What expertise would you bring to the field alongside your own?

ICM STEP 4: FURTHER CHARACTERISE THE CATCHMENT
Assessment of data gaps and catchment inspection led to investigative monitoring being put in place,
special study areas. Nutrient concentrations and flows were recorded daily at key sites throughout the catchment to
enable analysis of nutrient concentration variations and nutrient loadings
The comprehensive monitoring programme
data, groundwater chemical and bacterial sampling,
undertaken of lake sediments, dangerous substances, farm surveys, sheep dip
tank condition, treatment plant performance
Monitoring Sites
Review the results from the Lough Leane
Which catchment is most significant in ter
Which catchment is most significant in ter
Are there typical patterns in the variation of the datasets
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ICM STEP 4: FURTHER CHARACTERISE THE CATCHMENT – Estimation Methods
ssessment of data gaps and catchment inspection led to investigative monitoring being put in place,
utrient concentrations and flows were recorded daily at key sites throughout the catchment to
enable analysis of nutrient concentration variations and nutrient loadings/export rates.
monitoring programme also entailed: lake nutrients and ecology,
groundwater chemical and bacterial sampling, wastewater and industrial effluent and flow
of lake sediments, dangerous substances, farm surveys, sheep dip disposal, aerial fertilization, septic
treatment plant performance and audit of Local Authority activities.
Lough Leane investigative monitoring programme and comment on the following:
most significant in terms of phosphorus concentration loading?
most significant in terms of phosphorus export rate?
patterns in the variation of the datasets daily, seasonally, annually?
ssessment of data gaps and catchment inspection led to investigative monitoring being put in place, targeted in
utrient concentrations and flows were recorded daily at key sites throughout the catchment to
lake nutrients and ecology, river biology, hydrometric
wastewater and industrial effluent and flow. Once off study was
disposal, aerial fertilization, septic
and comment on the following:

16
Example 1 Calculate Nutrient Export Rates
RiverName StationNo SampleCode SampleDate
Flow
(m
3
/s)
Orthophosphate
(P) (mg/l)
Orthoload
(mg/s)
FLOW CONCENTRATION LOAD
TRIB1 0940 98601107 11/06/1998 14 0.026 364
TRIB1 0940 98601299 18/06/1998 9 0.030 270
TRIB1 0940 98601431 24/06/1998 6 0.016 96
TRIB1 0940 98601589 01/07/1998 11 0.023 253
TRIB1 0940 98601852 09/07/1998 33 0.015 495
TRIB1 0940 98601996 16/07/1998 5 0.022 110
TRIB1 0940 98602107 23/07/1998 30 0.057 1710
TRIB1 0940 98602136 27/07/1998 15 0.032 480
TRIB1 0940 98602491 06/08/1998 9 0.031 273
TRIB1 0940 98602643 12/08/1998 7 0.027 178
TRIB1 0940 98602936 20/08/1998 6 0.016 90
TRIB1 0940 98603000 24/08/1998 8 0.031 248
TRIB1 0940 98603452 08/09/1998 11 0.033 363
TRIB1 0940 98603724 23/09/1998 5 0.031 167
TRIB1 0940 98604102 08/10/1998 12 0.024 288
TRIB1 0940 98604256 14/10/1998 28 0.047 1316
TRIB1 0940 98604529 22/10/1998 47 0.039 1833
TRIB1 0940 98604826 05/11/1998 28 0.021 588
TRIB1 0940 98604999 11/11/1998 26 0.022 572
TRIB1 0940 98605152 17/11/1998 32 0.020 640
TRIB1 0940 98605370 24/11/1998 13 0.029 377
TRIB1 0940 98606006 16/12/1998 7 0.028 185
TRIB1 0940 9960128 07/01/1999 50 0.027 1350
TRIB1 0940 9960280 12/01/1999 16 0.025 388
TRIB1 0940 9960622 25/01/1999 11 0.023 253
TRIB1 0940 9960923 03/02/1999 13 0.022 275
TRIB1 0940 99601196 11/02/1999 20 0.021 420
TRIB1 0940 99601324 16/02/1999 16 0.024 384
TRIB1 0940 99601604 24/02/1999 22 0.031 682
TRIB1 0940 99601923 09/03/1999 20 0.020 400
TRIB1 0940 99602289 25/03/1999 11 0.027 292
MEAN 17 0.027 495
The area of this catchment is 1,207km2
The factor to convert units from mg/s to T/yr is (60 x 60 x 24 x 365)/(1,000 x 1,000 x 1,000) = 0.032
What is the catchment annual load in T/yr?
The factor to convert units from mg/s/km2
to mg/yr/m2
is (60 x 60 x 24 x 365)/(1,000 x 1,000) = 31.54
What is the catchment export rate in mg/m2
/yr?
What nutrient loading is the measured approach potentially missing?

17
Example 2 Calculate Sectoral Load Contributions
Agriculture
(Load = loads for cattle and sheep + loads associated with chemical fertiliser usage * nutrient loss factors)
Agricultural P Input 900,000 kg
P losses from agriculture 0.04 of total agricultural P load
Agricultural Load 36,000 kg/yr
Forestry
(Load = area under forestry * standard export coefficient)
Forestry area 9,000 ha
P losses from forestry 0.33 kg/ha/yr
Forestry Load 2,970 kg/yr
Unsewered Industries (IPPCs and Section 4s)
(Load = 25% of maximum allowable discharge)
Maximum Total P discharge 2,000 kg/yr
Unsewered Industry Load 500 kg/yr
Unsewered Rural Populations
(Load = non-sewered population * per capita nutrient emission value)
Unsewered population 16,000 person
P loss from septic tanks 0.25 kg/person/year
Unsewered Load 4,000 kg/yr
Urban Areas
(Load = area under urban cover * standard export coefficient)
Urban area 600 ha
P losses from urban areas 2.15 kg/ha/yr
Urban Load 1,290 kg/yr
Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP)
(Load = PEs * assumed nutrient production loadings * treatment reduction factors)
Population equivalent 145,000 persons
Total P contribution 0.0027 kg/person/day (x365 days/year)
Treatment Reduction 0.1 (nutrient removal)
WWTP Load 14,290 kg/yr
Calculate the proportion of loads from the various sectors in the catchment.
Sector Load kg/yr %
Agriculture 36,000
Forestry 2,970
Unsewered_Industry 500
Unsewered Population 4,000
Urban 1,290
WWTP 14,290
There is no aquaculture or peatland in this catchment - what other contribution &factor have been omitted?
• Contribution
• Factor

Background Losses
(Load = Area * standard export coefficient)
Area
P loss from background runoff
Background load
Sectoral loads from the Laune Water Management Unit
Sector
Agriculture
Forestry
Unsewered_Industry
Unsewered Population
Urban
WWTP
Background
Laune Water Management Unit Sectoral Contributions
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coefficient)
81,000 ha
0.05 kg/ha/yr
4,050 kg/yr
Water Management Unit catchment
Load kg/yr
36,000
2,970
500
4,000
1,290
14,290
4,050
Laune Water Management Unit Sectoral Contributions
%
57
5
1
6
2
23
6
AGRICULTURE
BACKGROUND
FORESTRY
UNSEWERED_INDUSTRY
UNSEWERED
URBAN
WWTP

Day 3 - Afternoon Session
ICM STEP 5: IDENTIFY & EVALUATE POSSIBLE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Target load reductions
Assessment of the historic monitoring database for the lake established
which confirmed that management, in particular reduction in Phosphorus input to the lake,
lake status.
Lake Water Quality Conclusions – Lough Leane Monitoring & Management System 1999
The extent of the blooms, which occurred in 1983 and 1984, was primarily due to
from the Killarney Wastewater Treatment Plant;
Improved facilities at the works were commissioned in 1985 resulting in an immediate improvement in water
quality in the Ross Bay area where the WWTP effluent discharges via the Fo
This indicates that reduction in Phosphorus input can result in lake water quality improvements;
Further improvements in WWTP facilities and the sewerage network have been provided in 1995
yet to be evaluated (at the time of writing)
The weather conditions most associated with blooms in Lough Leane are calm, warm water conditions in the
lake during the spring and summer preceded by showery weather in Spring. Even when these conditions prevail
(e.g. 1995) extensive blooms have not occurred unless there is sufficient Phosphorus levels in the lake i.e. in
excess of 20 μg P/l;
The high Phosphorus levels in the algal bloom year of 1997 were not due to the Killarney WWTP but were due to
a rising trend in Phosphorus inputs from the general catchment. In particular monitoring data of the River Flesk
input at Castlelough Bay provides evidence of a significant increase in Phosphorus level over the period 1989
1997;
The findings of the study indicate that diffu
most likely cause of recent increased algal growth and the extensive cyanoabacterial blooms;
The River Flesk is the primary source of Phosphorus input due to the size and nature of the ca
Phosphorus trapped in sediments is a secondary source of nutrients. There is strong circumstantial evidence that
recycling of Phosphorus from the sediments of Lough Leane has not been a significant primary factor in the
eutrophication of Lough Leane. The sediment did not release sufficient nutrients to initiate an algal bloom in
years such as 1995 when nutrient inputs from the general catchment were not above 20 μg P/l;
It was concluded that if the external sources of nutrient input are managed and
extensive algal blooms could be reduced.
The special studies and investigative monitoring allowed the
to be estimated by sector.
Urban Agglomerations:
• Based on sampling of concentration and flow in the Folly Stream and Killarney WWTP the
established at 2.4 T/yr.
• The treatment plant was providing nutrient removal resulting in reduction of a 10 T annual input load to a 1
T annual effluent load.
• Due to misconnections in the town the Folly Stream was receiving an untreated loading of 1.4 T per year.
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ICM STEP 5: IDENTIFY & EVALUATE POSSIBLE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES – Management Strategies
database for the lake established a conceptual understanding of the s
, in particular reduction in Phosphorus input to the lake,
Lough Leane Monitoring & Management System 1999
The extent of the blooms, which occurred in 1983 and 1984, was primarily due to
from the Killarney Wastewater Treatment Plant;
quality in the Ross Bay area where the WWTP effluent discharges via the Folly Stream and in the general lake.
Further improvements in WWTP facilities and the sewerage network have been provided in 1995
evaluated (at the time of writing);
1995) extensive blooms have not occurred unless there is sufficient Phosphorus levels in the lake i.e. in
hosphorus inputs from the general catchment. In particular monitoring data of the River Flesk
input at Castlelough Bay provides evidence of a significant increase in Phosphorus level over the period 1989
The findings of the study indicate that diffuse sources of Phosphorus (i.e. from the general catchment) are the
The River Flesk is the primary source of Phosphorus input due to the size and nature of the ca
ne. The sediment did not release sufficient nutrients to initiate an algal bloom in
It was concluded that if the external sources of nutrient input are managed and reduced the likelihood of further
extensive algal blooms could be reduced.
The special studies and investigative monitoring allowed the existing annual Phosphorus loading to the Lough Leane
mpling of concentration and flow in the Folly Stream and Killarney WWTP the
The treatment plant was providing nutrient removal resulting in reduction of a 10 T annual input load to a 1
e to misconnections in the town the Folly Stream was receiving an untreated loading of 1.4 T per year.
Management Strategies
a conceptual understanding of the system
, in particular reduction in Phosphorus input to the lake, could be effective for
Lough Leane Monitoring & Management System 1999
The extent of the blooms, which occurred in 1983 and 1984, was primarily due to high inputs of Phosphorus
lly Stream and in the general lake.
Further improvements in WWTP facilities and the sewerage network have been provided in 1995-1998 and were
1995) extensive blooms have not occurred unless there is sufficient Phosphorus levels in the lake i.e. in
hosphorus inputs from the general catchment. In particular monitoring data of the River Flesk
input at Castlelough Bay provides evidence of a significant increase in Phosphorus level over the period 1989-
se sources of Phosphorus (i.e. from the general catchment) are the
The River Flesk is the primary source of Phosphorus input due to the size and nature of the catchment;
ne. The sediment did not release sufficient nutrients to initiate an algal bloom in
reduced the likelihood of further
annual Phosphorus loading to the Lough Leane
mpling of concentration and flow in the Folly Stream and Killarney WWTP the existing load was
The treatment plant was providing nutrient removal resulting in reduction of a 10 T annual input load to a 1
e to misconnections in the town the Folly Stream was receiving an untreated loading of 1.4 T per year.

20
Agriculture and Background:
• Based on sampling of concentration and flow in the agricultural subcatchments the existing combined
agricultural and background load was established at 23.9 T/yr.
• The associated export rates in these subcatchments were established. Southerly subcatchments had low
export rates whereas those in the northerly catchments were higher.
• Farm survey established prevalent shortage of slurry storage and elevated soil nutrient levels in the
northerly Deenagh/Quagmire subcatchments. Contemporaneous data from similar catchments in which a
higher REPS uptake level had taken place revealed a typical export rate which was lower by 15 mg/m2
/yr (i.e.
TP export rate reduced from 50 to 35 mg/m2
/yr).
• The agricultural areas within these northerly subcatchemnts are 480km2
.
Septic Tanks:
• Based on groundwater monitoring and conceptual modelling, the loading from septic tanks in areas of
shallow overburden was estimated at 3.0 T/yr.
• The villages of Kilcummin and Barraduff are in critical source areas and provision of packet plants would
reduce the loading in these areas by 0.5 T/yr.
• Due to the introduction of P free detergents (ICDA voluntary agreement) the loading from septic tanks would
reduce by a further 0.9 T/yr.
• The groundwater special study assessment of tank condition and maintenance established a further
reduction of 0.6 T/yr.
Forestry and Background:
• Based on sampling of concentration and flow, the export rates in the subcatchments were established with
the existing combined forestry and background load established at 1.4 T/yr.
• Aerial fertilisation had been suspended in the catchment. The deciduous and coniferous TP export rates
were similar and typically low at 20 - 30 mg/m2
/yr.
Source Baseline Load (1999) (T/year)
Urban Agglomerations 2.4
Agriculture + Background 23.9
Septic Tanks 3.0
Forestry + Background 1.4
Total (T/year) 30.7
Based on both the evidence of historical data and assessment of theoretical assimilative capacity of Lough Leane, a
target annual loading of 20 T/yr of Total Phosphorus was established. This necessitates are reduction by one third of
the nutrient inputs.
Can you suggest one measure that each sector could take to achieve a reduction in their sectoral contribution?
SECTOR SUGGESTED MEASURE
• Urban Agglomerations
• Agriculture + Background
• Septic Tanks
• Forestry

Using the information provided above,
the following combination of measures:
Source Baseline Load (1999)
Urban Agglomerations
Connection and treatment of
flows bypassing the WWTP
Agriculture + Background
Improved storage & agricultural
practices in line with REPS
Septic Tanks
Plants for two villages, improved
tank practices and adopt ICDA
Forestry + Background
Ongoing adoption of recent best
practice guidelines
Total (T/year)
Lough Leane Sectoral Contributions
Comparing this pie chart to that in example 2
contributions and what does this tell you about the Lough Leane catchment
Urban & Industry
15%
21
, calculate the load reduction and the future load for the sectors based on
the following combination of measures:
Baseline Load (1999)
(T/year)
Target Reduction
(T/year)
2.4
23.9
3.0
1.4
30.7
Comparing this pie chart to that in example 2 (Laune WMU), do you note any differences in the sectoral
and what does this tell you about the Lough Leane catchment?
Background
23%
Agriculture
47%
Septic Tanks
12%
Forestry
3%
future load for the sectors based on
Future Load
(T/year)
, do you note any differences in the sectoral
Septic Tanks
Background
Urban & Industry
Agriculture
Septic Tanks
Forestry

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Discuss these load reduction measures with your stakeholder group:
Do you concur with the measures listed; do they seem equitable or unbalanced?
What other considerations should be taken into account when working towards this annual load target?
Suggest other measures that should be incorporated from your sector’s perspective (which sector is addressed)?
Measure Sector

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The full suite of Lough Leane management measures included the following:
(Discuss and score them; 1 = very important, 2 = important, 3 = least important; also consider if the programme fails
to address any issues, is it balanced/biased, are the key measures clear, achievable and relevant at present)?
Catchment-Wide Management Measure Score
Establish a staffed catchment management center within the Lough Leane area
Organise a water quality education & awareness programme & maintain a Phosphorus Awareness
Campaign
Implement ICDA (Irish Cosmetics & Detergents Association) proposals
Develop the role of the Working Group & create a Management Proposal Implementation Sub-
Committee
Secure additional resources for the implementation of management proposals
Local Authority Environment Section Structure Management Measure Score
Formalise responsibility structures and job specifications
Develop formalized reporting structures
Establish a liaison forum regarding environmental issues to address catchment issues
Develop and implement water quality strategies and initiatives
Local Authority Industrial Discharges Management Measure Score
Review and upgrade of all existing Local Authority discharge licenses
Establish monitoring and policing procedures
Enforce existing & newly introduced licenses by providing resources for inspection & monitoring of
industrial sites
Local Authority Waste Management Measure Score
Establish a Transfer Station and Operational Procedures Manual
Undertake additional monitoring and reporting
Implement a Closure Plan for Coolcaslagh landfill site
Upgrade effluent treatment or transfer effluent to Killarney WWTP
Provide a bund around diesel storage tank
Stream organic wastes for recycling initiatives
Local Authority Water Supply Management Measure Score
Establish a water abstraction Operational Procedures Manual
Ensure that Chlorine is stored in suitable locked internal stores
Undertake a review of activities and planning control in the Lough Guitane catchment to address
domestic sewage discharges, agricultural activity and forestry development
Make a byelaw for the Lough Guitane catchment regarding agricultural priorities
Secure additional resources for the monitoring and implementation of management proposals
Local Authority Municipal Discharges Management Measure Score
Investigate Killarney WWTP’s capacity and performance including provision of additional levels of P
removal and stormwater tanks
Provide an additional technician at Killarney WWTP
Continue the pilot fat removal trials at Killarney WWTP
Develop and implement a Sludge Disposal Strategy under the County Sludge Management Strategy
Include NMPs on spreadlands
Undertake a sewerage study to investigate, monitor and model the performance of pumping stations
and the operation of storm water overflows and foul system overflows
Undertake further flow and water quality monitoring of the Folly Stream
Investigate alternative effluent discharge systems for Killarney WWTP
Undertake cost benefit analysis of connecting appropriate outlying plants
Upgrade/review operation of outlying treatment works and prioritise provision of treatment at Barraduff
and Kilcummin
Secure additional resources for the monitoring and implementation of management proposals

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Local Authority Laboratory Facility Management Measure Score
Upgrade the lab’s capacity and investigate the feasibility of new facilities
Continue & extend participation in the EPA intercalibration programme & develop towards ILAB.
Establish a Laboratory Procedures Manual
Upgrade the monitoring database and improve data distribution
Develop water quality monitoring programmes in response to new legislation
Local Authority Pollution Response Management Measure Score
Appoint an Executive Engineer/Scientist to fully establish and lead the pollution response team
Develop a Procedures Manual
Raise Pollution awareness through site visits
Identify risks and develop a contingency plan for response to pollution incidents
Tourism Sector Management Measure Score
Formulate a policy requiring provision of facilities for separation of fats, oils and greases at source to be
implemented by the LA by introduction of Byelaw/notice/licence under the Water Pollution Act
Formulate a policy to develop a fats, oils and greases collection and disposal facility
Extend towel re-use scheme
Participate in Kerry County Council’s composting scheme
Introduce Eco-tourism awards/recognition
Agricultural Management Measure Score
Make Bye-Laws under the water pollution acts regard the storage and management of wastes
Implement policies relating to additional agriculture initiatives including: NMPs, Farmyard surveys, REPS,
Education/Environmental programmes, Funding mechanisms/storage alternatives, Farm slurry disposal
Groundwater/Septic Tank Management Measure Score
LAs should initiate an awareness campaign regarding the proper maintenance of septic tanks
Local Authorities should undertake random sampling and the verification of percolation test results
Local Authorities should achieve better enforcement of regulations concerning the installation of septic
tanks and percolation areas
LAs should draw up a register of approved persons/contractors for acceptable certification of percolation
tests and septic tank/treatment system design and installation. This register to be revised as needed
Forestry Management Measure Score
The Forestry Act 1946 should be altered to give a derogation regarding the replanting requirements
The Forest Service, in the issue of all felling licences in the Lough Leane Catchment should consider
location and extent of felling, the time interval between felling activities in the area and on the basis of
nutrient deficiency and site suitability
Replanting to be based on the Code of Best Forest Practice and also on suitability of soil type
Submission of Forestry Management Plans including foliar analysis for the Lough Leane catchment to
Kerry County Council for consideration.
New guidelines for forestry development to be implemented by all developers
Resources to be provided by the Forest Service to ensure the monitoring and enforcement of the
guidelines within the Lough Leane catchment
Developers to submit site suitability plans and water quality monitoring data to the Forest Service in
support of new developments
Forest Service to undertake random site visits to ensure compliance with the forestry guidelines and to
consider the accumulative effects on adjacent developers
The Local Authority will be required to monitor any new activities as well as further aerial fertilization
activities to evaluate potential loading and to ensure compliance
Designate sensitive areas which should not be planted/replanted within the catchment

ICM STEP 6: DESIGN AN IMPLEMENTATION
For Lough Leane, it was considered that all sectors needed to manage nutrients and provide reductions wherever
possible, however, in another catchment there might be alternative strategies or measures, not all of which
going to be effective in the same timescale.
In such a scenario please suggest factors that might assist with prioritising measures under the MCA approach.
Killarney WWTP example
Criteria Factor
Technical
Environmental
Social
Economic
25
NTATION PROGRAMME – Multi Criteria Analysis
possible, however, in another catchment there might be alternative strategies or measures, not all of which
going to be effective in the same timescale.
possible, however, in another catchment there might be alternative strategies or measures, not all of which are

5. Course Exercises

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5. Course Exercises