Comhairle Chontae an Cabhain

Comhairle Chontae an Cabhain

CAVAN COUNTY COUNCIL

THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC DRINKING WATER IN COUNTY CAVAN

A Report for the Year 2009

J. Keyes E Doyle Environment Section

County Manager Director of Services Cavan County Council

September 2010

Index

1. Introduction

2. Summary of the Monitoring Results for Public Drinking Water Supplies

3. Parameter By Parameter Analysis of Drinking Water

1. Introduction

This report presents the summary of the monitoring data for 2009 for the drinking water of County Cavan. It is intended as a companion volume to those issued in previous years.

Legal Requirements: European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. 439 of 2000), European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 106 of 2007), European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 278 of 2007)

Monitoring programme: The regulations governing drinking water monitoring changed in 2007. European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 278 of 2007) replaced European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 106 of 2007) which had replaced European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. 439 of 2000). The monitoring regime remains rationalised into 2 categories: check monitoring and audit monitoring. The purpose of check monitoring is to regularly provide information on the organoleptic and microbiological quality of the water supplied for human consumption as well as information on the effectiveness of drinking water treatment. Audit monitoring requires fewer number of samples but is more demanding in the number of parameters to be analysed. Additional operational monitoring is carried out in order to monitor the effectiveness of the water treatment system. The current monitoring programme is based on the legal requirements and the need to provide an effective management tool in order to maintain quality assurance in our public water supply. Where problems arise, monitoring is increased in order to confirm the effectiveness of corrective action taken. Consequently the number of samples analysed reflect this additional monitoring. The vast bulk of the monitoring is undertaken in-house by Cavan County Council’s own laboratory which carries out the basic organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological tests on drinking water. Additional specialised monitoring, for a small number of samples, is undertaken by the EPA’s regional laboratory in Monaghan on behalf of Cavan County Council.

This report considers the findings of our drinking water monitoring programme for the year 2009 and assesses the quality of each public drinking water supply. The majority of Cavan public water is supplied by surface waters. The geomorphology of County Cavan has the effect that these supplies are generally from shallow surface sources and this raw water can be difficult to treat. Invariably, monitoring results can indicate elevated colour levels. The new regulations do not specify a specific MAC (Maximum Admissable Concentration) for colour and turbidity. This is subject to drinking water being ‘deemed acceptable by the consumer.’ Colour and turbidity are naturally occurring in water and vary from season to season and according to weather patterns. As a result it can be difficult to achieve consistent treatment. Aluminium based compounds are used to remove colour and turbidity and where difficulties arise with the treatment process there can be exceedances for this parameter also. A total of 143 samples were analysed in 2009 for E Coli in public water. The overall percentage compliance rate was 100% with no exceedances. The overall percentage compliance rate, for E Coli, has generally improved over the last ten years see table below.

Year / 1999 / 2000 / 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 / 2009
% Compliance / 90.9 / 93.8 / 97 / 93.9 / 98.4 / 100 / 99.5 / 99.5 / 99.3 / 98.1 / 100

The public drinking water supplies of County Cavan are generally of good potable quality. All legal monitoring requirements for 2010 have been complied with

2. Summary of the Results of Monitoring for Public Drinking Water Supplies

Public supplies are listed alphabetically.

Summary data

2.1 Details of source treatment facilities

Provides details on the name of the source, the type of source, source treatment.

2.2 Sampling programme

Provides details of the supply, the minimum number of samples per year as a legal

requirement, and the number of samples monitored in 2009

.

2.3 Details of exceedances of regulations by parameter

Lists parameter, the supply and the excess value recorded, for 2009

2.4 Analysis of exceedances by parameter.

Details exceedances of a variety of parameters for the last number of years. The table is abbreviated for clarity

Clo= Clostridia perfringens, Al= Aluminium, THM= TriHaloMethanes, Coli= Coliform bacteria(includes E Coli), Co= Colour , F= Fluoride,

Fe= Iron, Mn= Manganese, NO3= Nitrate, NO2= Nitrite, Od= Odour, pH= (Hydogen Ion), Ta= Taste, Tu= Turbidity, NH4=Ammonium, N/A= Not Applicable

2.5 General Assessment of position

Overall assessment of quality for this supply.

Supply

Arva
Bailieborough Regional
Ballinagh
Ballyconnell
Ballyhaise
Ballyjamesduff Regional
Bawnboy
Belturbet
Blacklion
Cavan Regional
Cootehill
Dowra
Gowna
Killeshandra
Kingscourt
Shercock
Swanlinbar

Arva

2.1 Details of source treatment facilities

Source / Details of Treatment / Name of Supply
SW/GW/SSp / Sed/SSF/RGF/PrF/Coag/DAF/Chlor/Fluor/pHC / Arva

SOURCES: SW: Surface water;

TREATMENT: RGF: Rapid Gravity filtration, Chlor: Chlorination

Coag: Coagulation/Flocculation, pHC: pH Correction

2.2 Sampling programme

Supply / Volume Produced
(M3/day) / Population
Served / Minimum number of samples per year, Legal Requirement. / Number of samples monitored in 2009
Audit / Check /

Audit

Check

Operational

Arva / 225 / 525 / 1 / 4 /

2.3 Details of exceedences of regulations by parameter

______

Parameter MAC Excess values recorded Number of values

______(Maximum Admissable Concentration)______

pH (pH units) 6.5-9.5 {5.89, 5.96, 6.37, 6.4} 4

Aluminium(mg/l) 0.200 {0.342, 0.552,0.76, 0.47, 0.49, 0.328} 6

Iron (mg/l) 0.200 {0.443} 1

Lead (ug/l) 25 {59.3} 1

Pesticides 0.1 {0.17} 1

2.4 Analysis of exceedances by parameter.

______

Year No. of Samples______Analysis of Exceedances by Parameter______

Clo Al THM Coli Co F Fe Mn NO3 NO2 Od pH Ta Tu NH4

______

1999 13 4 1 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 9

2000 13 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

2001 13 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

2002 13 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

2003 13 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

2004 13 0 2 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 3 N/A N/A

2005 8 0 2 0 0 N/A 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 2 N/A N/A 0

2006 8 0 2 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 1 N/A N/A 0

2007 9 0 2 0 0 N/A 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 4 N/A N/A 0

2008 22 1 11 0 2 N/A 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 3 N/A N/A 0

2009 12 0 6 0 0 N/A 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 4 N/A N/A 0

2.5 General assessment of position

Results reflect problems at the plant in 2009. Overall quality is not good. An alternative supply is being put in place for 2010.

Bailieborough Regional

2.1 Details of source treatment facilities

Source / Details of Treatment / Name of Supply
SW/GW/SSp / Sed/SSF/RGF/PrF/Coag/DAF/Chlor/Fluor/pHC / Bailieborough

SOURCES: SW: Surface water;

TREATMENT: RGF: Rapid Gravity filtration, Chlor: Chlorination

Coag: Coagulation/Flocculation, pHC: pH Correction

DAF: Dissolved Air Flotation , Fluor: Fluoridation

2.2 Sampling programme

Supply / Volume Produced
(M3/day) / Population
Served / Minimum number of samples per year, Legal Requirement. / Number of samples monitored in 2009
Audit / Check /

Audit

Check

Operational

Bailieborough / 1950 / 2925 / 2 / 10 /

2.3 Details of exceedances of regulations by parameter

______

Parameter MAC Excess values recorded Number of values

______

Lead 25µg/l {55.7,} 1

2.4 Analysis of exceedances by parameter.

______

Year No. of Samples______Analysis of Exceedances by Parameter______

Clo Al THM Coli Co F Fe Mn NO3 NO2 Od pH Ta Tu NH4

______

1999 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2000 14 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

2001 13 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2002 26 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1

2003 45 0 0 3 0 6 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 1

2004 34 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 2 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2005 22 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2006 16 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2007 14 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2008 13 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2009 13 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2.5 General assessment of position

Satisfactory. Exceedances for lead relates to internal plumbing in private property.

Ballinagh

2.1 Details of source treatment facilities

Source / Details of Treatment / Name of Supply
SW/GW/SSp / Sed/SSF/RGF/PrF/Coag/DAF/Chlor/Fluor/pHC / Ballyjamesduff/Kilnaleck/Ballinagh

SOURCES: SW: Surface water;

TREATMENT: RGF: Rapid Gravity filtration Coag: Coagulation/Flocculation

DAF: Dissolved Air Flotation Chlor: Chlorination

pHC: pH Correction Fluor: Fluoridation

2.2 Sampling programme

Supply / Volume Produced
(M3/day) / Population
Served / Minimum number of samples per year, Legal Requirement. / Number of samples monitored in 2009
Audit / Check /

Audit

Check

Operational

Ballinagh / See BJD / 840 / 1 / 4 /

2.3 Details of exceedances of regulations by parameter

______

Parameter MAC Excess values recorded Number of values

______

Pesticides 0.1 mg/l {0.246} 1

THMs 100ug/l {100.6} 1

2.4 Analysis of exceedances by parameter.

______

Year No. of Samples______Analysis of Exceedances by Parameter______

Clo Al THM Coli Co F Fe Mn NO3 NO2 Od pH Ta Tu NH4

______

1999 15 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11

2000 18 0 0 7 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15

2001 16 0 0 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 10

2002 15 0 1 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13

2003 14 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 4 1

2004 12 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2005 8 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2006 8 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 1 1 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2007 15 0 0 0 1 N/A 0 1 1 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2008 7 0 0 0 1 N/A 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2009 9 0 0 1 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2.5 General assessment of position

This agglomeration is now supplied by Ballyjamesduff regional water supply scheme which has resulted in improved water quality.

The THM exceedance is marginal. See note at rear of document in relation to pesticides.

Ballyconnell

2.1 Details of source treatment facilities

Source / Details of Treatment / Name of Supply
SW/GW/SSp / Sed/SSF/RGF/PrF/Coag/DAF/Chlor/Fluor/pHC / Ballyconnell

SOURCES: SSp: Surface Springs

TREATMENT: Chlor: Chlorination

2.2 Sampling programme

Supply / Volume Produced
(M3/day) / Population
Served / Minimum number of samples per year, Legal Requirement. / Number of samples monitored in 2009
Audit / Check /

Audit

Check

Operational

Ballyconnell / 700 / 1220 / 1 / 4 /

2.3 Details of exceedances of regulations by parameter

______

Parameter MAC Excess values recorded Number of values

______

Total Coliforms 0/100mls {3} 1

2.4 Analysis of exceedances by parameter.

______

Year No. of Samples______Analysis of Exceedances by Parameter______

Clo Al THM Coli Co F Fe Mn NO3 NO2 Od pH Ta Tu NH4

______

1999 13 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 5 2

2000 14 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 3 1

2001 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 0

2002 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 6

2003 13 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

2004 12 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2005 10 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2006 10 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2007 8 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2008 7 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2009 12 0 0 0 1 N/A 0 0 0 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A 0

2.5 General assessment of position

Satisfactory. Single bacteriological exceedance was a once off and not typical.

Ballyhaise

2.1 Details of source treatment facilities

Ballyhaise is now supplied by Annagh GWS.

SOURCES: SW: Surface water;

TREATMENT: RGF: Rapid Gravity filtration, Coag: Coagulation/Flocculation

Chlor: Chlorination, pHC: pH Correction, SED: Sedimentation

2.2 Sampling programme

Supply / Volume Produced
(M3/day) / Population
Served / Minimum number of samples per year, Legal Requirement**. / Number of samples monitored in 2009
Audit / Check /

Audit

Check

Operational

Ballyhaise / Annagh GWS / 620 / 1 / 4 /

**Ballyhaise is supplied by the Annagh Group Water scheme which was monitored separately.

2.3 Details of exceedances of regulations by parameter