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Environmental Services

The Environment Section is responsible for a wide range of services spanning three programme groups. The objectives outlined in the Council’s Corporate Plan (2004-2009) are to:

• Provide a clean living environment for the citizens of Sligo.
• Promote the conservation of areas of natural environmental value.
• Protect and improve water and air quality in Sligo.
• Reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

During 2008, the focus was to continue to introduce and implement measures to achieve these corporate objectives.

PROGRAMME GROUP 5 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• Waste Management
• Water Quality Management
• Pollution Control
• Beaches
• Water Safety
• Casual Trading
• Environmental Awareness
• Environmental Enforcement
• Litter Management
• Noise Pollution
• Air Pollution

PROGRAMME GROUP 7 – AGRICULTURE & EDUCATION

• Food Safety

PROGRAMME GROUP 8 – MISCELLANEOUS

• Control of Dogs
• Control of Horses

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The level of interest in waste minimisation and effective waste management has dramatically increased in recent years and diverting waste from landfill is one of the greatest waste management challenges facing our Country. The Connaught Waste Management Plan (2006- 2011) re-emphasises the waste management targets to be achieved in order to comply with National and EU targets, namely: Recycle 48%, Thermally Treat 33% and Landfill 19% of our waste. 30% of Sligo’s household waste was recycled in 2008 which is an increase in comparison to the amount recycled in 2007. However, in order to reach the ambitious target of 48% recycling of household waste, the ‘third bin’ for organic kitchen waste needs to be introduced to the collection system. It is anticipated to introduce the third bin in the last quarter of 2009 and to continue to work with waste collectors and others to increase the percentage of organic waste that is diverted from landfill.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Dry recyclable wastes are catered for at the two Recycling Centres which are located in Sligo town and Tubbercurry. The use of these facilities continues to grow and complement the separate kerbside collection of dry recyclable materials, which is available throughout Sligo. Adequate infrastructure is in place in County Sligo to cater for the quantities of dry municipal waste produced, and the challenge now is to maintain and increase their use by both domestic and commercial customers.

Glass is diverted from landfill via a network of 42 bottle banks located throughout Sligo town and County. A total of 1,377 tonnes of glass were recycled in Sligo in 2008, this is an increase of 268 tonnes in comparison to 2007’s figure.

Organic kitchen waste makes up approximately 30% of all household waste generated. Home composting is a positive and simple option to deal with this waste stream. In 2008, the Environment Section continued to heavily promote the use of home composters and offer them for sale at a subsidised rate. Home composting and the introduction of the ‘third bin’ for the collection of separated organic kitchen waste will greatly increase the diversion of organic kitchen waste from landfill, thus increasing Sligo’s recycling rates.

Sligo County Council completed the construction of a Green Waste Composting Facility at Ballisodare, Co. Sligo, in 2007. Green garden waste is a bulky waste fraction that should be diverted from landfill. This facility opened in June 2008 and is accepting green waste and selling peat free compost generated at the site.

Landfill is the least preferred option in dealing with waste, and is at the bottom of the EU waste hierarchy. However, landfill is required to deal with the waste that cannot be recycled, composted or thermally treated, which is estimated to be 19% of all waste generated in Connaught. A greater percentage of landfill capacity is required until the necessary infrastructure is put in place to recycle, compost and in particular thermally treat waste. The development of a North Connaught Landfill to deal with this interim waste, and to ultimately deal with the 19% of residual waste in 2013, continued to be discussed by all relevant Local Authorities in 2008.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

The Council's Environmental Awareness Officer actively promotes positive environmental action throughout County Sligo. The Environmental Awareness Officer works in tandem with schools, community groups and members of the public to encourage them to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.

In total 46 schools in County Sligo have achieved the Green Flag Award. 61 of Sligo’s 63 National Schools are registered with the Green Schools Programme, 38 of which have been awarded the Green Flag. All 16 of Sligo’s Secondary schools are registered in the Green Schools Programme, 6 of which have been awarded the Green Flag. 3 schools with Special Needs are registered in the Green Schools programme, 2 have achieved the Green Flag Award.

The Environment Section continues to support national environmental campaigns e.g. Green Christmas Campaign, National Tree Week, National Spring Clean, National Recycling Week, Race Against Waste etc. by organising local initiatives. In March 2008 1,000 sapling trees were distributed to community & voluntary groups and schools in County Sligo as part of the National Tree Week programme of events. Sligo County Council supported the communities as part of the National Spring Clean Campaign 2008.

The Anti-Litter Awareness Grant and Local Agenda 21 Environment Partnership Fund offers financial support to groups that wish to organize environmental projects. The Local Agenda 21 – Environment Partnership Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, nonprofit environmental projects at local level. In 2008, 41 groups received funding under this grant scheme. €7,372 was granted from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which must be matched by the local authority, bringing the total funding to €14,744.

Funding of €29,000 was awarded for public education and awareness initiatives on litter under the Anti-Litter Awareness Fund 2008. Sligo County Council received 24 applications for funding.

The Environment Awareness Officer uses the local media in the form of local newspaper and radio advertisements, press releases and interviews to promote the campaigns as they arise. The Sligo County Council website and newly installed podcast service also broadcast environmental news.

WASTE ENFORCEMENT

Since the Waste Management Act came into being in 1996, a large number of Waste Regulations have followed, covering a wide range of waste management activities. Proceeds from a number of initiatives at national level including the Plastic Bag Levy and the Landfill Levy are providing 100% funding for waste enforcement teams in Local Authorities across the country.

The main role of the enforcement section is to ensure that waste is properly managed in a way that avoids environmental pollution, increases diversion from landfill rates and does not allow for non compliant operators to have a competitive advantage over compliant operators. The areas that the officers worked on included waste facility and waste collection permits, waste presentation, WEEE recycling, waste movements (including exports), general complaints, illegal dumping, burning, farm plastics, end of life vehicles, historic landfill issues and general compliance with all waste regulations that are currently in force. Waste Enforcement also involves advising businesses and the general public, as well as other sections of the Local Authority about various aspects of waste management and the implications placed upon those affected by the introduction of new regulations. Over 1,874 waste management related complaints and issues were dealt with by the Waste Enforcement section in 2008.

One of Sligo County Council’s waste management priorities in 2008 was the implementation of regulations governing end of life vehicles, these are vehicles that can not go back on the road again, and will be broken de-polluted and stripped for parts or baled for their metal content. They can be referred to as scrap vehicles or ELV’s. These regulations were introduced to ensure that ELV’s are dealt with in a manner that promotes the recovery of scrap vehicles at sites that have environmental protection measures in place and are authorised as treatment facilities. An aerial survey was carried out to identify sites where scrap vehicles were being stored in a manner that could result in environmental pollution, subsequent investigations and enforcement measures were carried out at these sites. There are now a number of these Authorised Treatment Facilities where members of the public can deposit their old cars free of charge. These facilities are processing vehicles from all over Connaught, and the processed material was exported from the County by ship and road. The exportation of this waste was subject to inspection and tracking during transport, both at road checkpoints and port inspections.

Another area which required attention was the issue of waste presentation, both from businesses and the domestic sector. There was an issue surrounding inappropriate presentation, coupled with the introduction of bye laws and the review and extension of routes. The work carried out in this area has resulted in an improved waste collection service for the County, and a greater volume of waste being collected and disposed of in an appropriate manner. This area will continue to require a significant investment of effort to ensure that services continue to improve and expand.

As well as carrying out inspections at various sites, a number of coordinated multi agency approaches to waste enforcement were employed. This included the carrying out, in conjunction with the Gardai and other local authorities, of regular road check points relating to waste movements. This exercise also helped to increase public awareness of the waste enforcement section.

A number of CCTV systems have been installed at various sites, principally Bring Banks that had been adversely affected by illegal dumping. The Waste Enforcement team was involved in the monitoring of footage, and the issuing of fines to offenders, as well as the installation of the systems. Through this enforcement action and the employment of a dedicated Bring Bank maintenance person, the Bring Banks in Sligo are now in excellent condition, so much so that other Councils are looking at the techniques employed by Sligo, which have achieved substantial savings.

During the course of the year, concerns were raised about the ban on the Sale, Marketing and Distribution of Bituminous Fuels in the Borough area. This resulted in a program to ensure compliance, which included suppliers being contacted and informed of their ongoing responsibilities. Inspections of suppliers and premises involved are also planned for 2009.

The Waste Enforcement section will continue to work in all of the areas already outlined above, in addition to the new regulations that have been introduced since the start of 2008.

LITTER

The issue of litter continues to be a major challenge. In 2008 activity continued on the enforcement of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 – 2003 as amended.

In 2008, over 178 on-the-spot fines were issued for offences ranging from sweet wrappers and illegal signage to 2 or less bags of refuse illegally dumped on public property. Non payment of fines result in legal action being taken by the Council and by the end of 2008 the Council initiated over 10 prosecutions.

In 2008 a zero tolerance approach continued to be taken in relation to littering at bring bank sites. With the purchase of CCTV cameras and installation of these at 9 bring bank sites in the County, it is expected that offenders will be more easily identified Operation Clean Sweep continued in 2008. Under Section 6 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997-2003 as amended, occupiers of premises fronting onto the footway within the town limits are obliged to keep the area in front of their premises free of litter. Operation Clean Sweep has so far been introduced to 7 towns and villages in the County.

Litter Monitoring surveys were again carried out by Sligo County Council from March to October by the Litter Warden in towns and villages in the County. This survey is an environmental management tool that enables local authorities to tackle litter more effectively, by providing a framework for consistent and accurate self-assessment by local authorities – “if you can measure the litter issue, you can manage it”.

Finally, the Environmental Awareness Officer continued to highlight the problem of litter through various programs of work and methods of advertising including competitions, newspaper and radio advertisements, posters, displays, signage and the publication of leaflets. Through the Green School’s programme a huge amount of awareness activity took place including school talks, litter competitions, discussions and debate.

WATER QUALITY

Water quality monitoring and management is governed by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and provides for water management on the basis of River Basin Districts (RBDs). The WFD aims to provide a new, strengthened system for the protection and improvement of water resources and water-dependent ecosystems. The WFD required that our waters achieve at least good status and that none of our waters deteriorate by 2015.

County Sligo is involved in three River Basin Districts, the Western RBD (most of County Sligo is in this RBD), the Shannon RBD and the North Western International RBD. The overall objective of river basin projects is to establish an integrated monitoring and management system for all waters within a River Basin District, to develop a dynamic programme of management measures and to produce a River Basin Management Plan. The plan will identify the specific environmental objectives to be achieved by the end of 2015 and the programme of measures, which are the actions that will be taken to achieve outlined objectives. Sligo County Council is responsible for the implementation of the River Basin Management Plans and in 2008 the Section was involved in the consultation processes and made numerous submissions in relation to the draft River Basin Management Plans. The River Basin Management Plans will be published by the end of 2009.

In 2008 the Water Quality Management Section continued the monitoring, protection and improvement of water resources and enforcement work as outlined below.

Water Pollution

Enforcement of water pollution legislation is an important element in ensuring good water quality. In 2008 the Environment Section dealt with 138 complaints relating to water issues. Letters and enforcement notices were issued under the Water Pollution Acts, 1977 to 2007 where necessary.

Discharge Licences

Sligo County Council license discharges to waters and sewers in accordance with the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 & 1990 and the associated Regulations.

25 premises are licensed to discharge to waters under Section 4 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 & 1990 and 35 premises are licensed in the County to discharge to sewers under Section 16 of the Local Government Water Pollution Act, 1977 & 1990. Significant work was undertaken in 2008 in relation to regulating discharges to sewers under Section 16 in Sligo Borough, Strandhill, Enniscrone and Tubbercurry.

Discharges to waters and sewers were investigated throughout the County to ensure compliance with Water Pollution Regulations, with enforcement action taken where necessary.

Source Protection

Farm and septic tank inspections are routinely carried out, with follow up enforcement action taken where necessary. In 2008 draft Source Protection Plans were prepared for Lough Arrow, North Sligo and Lough Easkey, these Plans include risk assessments for Cryptosporidium.

In 2008 the Environmental Section worked with the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), on the draft Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Sligo. It is envisaged that this scheme will be completed by the end of 2009.

Planning Applications

The Environment Section assesses and makes recommendations on all commercial and agricultural planning applications and domestic planning applications located in sensitive areas. In 2008 223 planning applications were assessed.

The Section was also involved in making a submission in relation to the draft Sligo and Environs Development Plan.

Site Suitability Assessments

In 2005 a panel of approved site assessors was set up in conjunction with the Environment Section. The Environment Section is responsible for the regulation of the approved panel and we continued to work closely with the panel to ensure a consistent approach to site assessment.

NOISE POLLUTION

The Section provides advice and information on residential and commercial noise under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. In 2008 nine complaints were received in relation to noise nuisance.

AIR POLLUTION

Sligo enjoys excellent Air Quality, and is fortunate not to have heavy industry discharging to the atmosphere. Sligo County Council continued to enforce two Air Pollution Licences. In 2008 four complaints relating to Air Pollution or Odour were received (excluding complaints relating to the burning of waste).

ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY

Most of the monitoring programmes outlined below are carried out by Sligo County Council’s laboratory staff in the Council’s well equipped laboratory.

Drinking Water Quality

During 2008, an extensive programme of monitoring was carried out on 13 Public Water Supplies, 14 Private Group Water Schemes, and 22 Public Group Water Schemes throughout the County. In summary, approximately 6165 compliance tests were carried out on water supplies in County Sligo during 2008, with overall compliance with quality standards at 96.8%. Regular communication was maintained during 2008 with the Health Services Executive and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to drinking water quality. Resources will need to be continually maintained in this area in order to meet our statutory obligations and in order to give the citizens of County Sligo full reassurance that the drinking water is being produced and tested to the highest standards.

Surface Water Abstractions

Public Water Supply abstraction points are monitored in accordance with the EC (Surface Water intended for the abstraction of drinking water) Regulations, 1989. This monitoring together with our catchment management programme helps to ensure that our drinking water sources achieve maximum protection.

Urban Waste Water Treatment Plants

The quality of final effluent from urban waste water treatment plants in the County is monitored to ensure compliance with standards set by the EC (Urban Wastewater Treatment) Regulations, 2001. During 2008, a total of 141 samples were taken and analysed from 25 UWW Treatment plants in County Sligo. Significant investment under the Water Services Investment Programme should help to address deficiencies at some of these plants.

Licensed Discharges

Sligo County Council licences discharges to waters and to sewers in accordance with the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 and 1990. A total of 71 final effluent discharge samples were taken in 2008 to check compliance with the quality standards set by each discharge licence.

Beaches

Mullaghmore beach retained its blue flag status for the 2008 bathing season, however Enniscrone and Rosses Point were not successful in retaining their flags, due to a small number of water quality samples not meeting the very stringent blue flag standards during the previous bathing season (Note: Blue flag awards are based on beach performance during the previous years bathing season). Dunmoran and Streedagh beaches were awarded the Green Coast Award for excellent water quality and responsible beach management. The Green Coast Award is similar to the Blue Flag, expect that it is aimed at rural beaches which do not have the infrastructure required to compete for the Blue Flag award.Dunmoran and Streedagh are the first beaches in County Sligo to receive the Green Coast Award.

Sligo County Council continued it’s extensive bathing water quality monitoring programme at five bathing areas in County Sligo during the 2008 bathing season (mid May - End August). The bathing areas monitored included Rosses Point, Mullaghmore, Enniscrone, Streedagh and Dunmoran. All beaches showed 100% compliance with the mandatory bathing water standards (acceptable and safe bathing water quality). All beaches except Rosses Point met the stricter guide standards.

Rivers and Lakes

In 2008, monitoring of Sligo’s rivers and lakes took place under the National Water Framework Directive Monitoring Programme. The existing monitoring obligations of the Council were integrated into this programme, with more focused monitoring in areas of poor water quality. This monitoring was carried out by the EPA on behalf of Sligo County Council. A total of 246 river samples were taken during 2008.

FOOD SAFETY

Sligo County Council enforces Food Safety Regulations in small slaughterhouses and small meat manufacturing plants under Service Contract to the FSAI. The Service Contract between Sligo County Council and the FSAI which is common to all Local Authorities was drawn up following negotiations between the City and County Managers Association, The FSAI and The Local Authority Veterinary Service. The current contract was adopted by the Council in 2006 and will be in place until 2010.

In 2008, the significant legislative changes introduced by the EU at the beginning of 2006 continued to be the main area of consideration. Work continued on adapting and implementing these regulations. An implementation group consisting of the Food Safety Authority, The Department of Agriculture, the Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority met to discuss the specifics of the requirements and the need to introduce National Legislation to implement some of the new provisions. Sligo County Council continues to be represented on that group and also on a sub group drawing up National rules for Wild Game.

Funding for the service is provided by Central Government through the FSAI. While the 2008 allocation was sufficient to operate the service greater input is being sought by Local Authorities into how the Budget is allocated.

There are currently 2 abattoirs under the supervision of Sligo County Council. The supervision involves pre and post slaughter checks on all animals along with continuous monitoring of hygiene and welfare standards and BSE controls. Both Plants were approved under the new legislation in 2007 and are now operating under full export standard. One of the results of the new legislation was to remove the distinction between small throughput plants and export plants. Both operators have undertaken training in HACCP which is a food safety management system and have introduced HACCP plans in their premises. One Slaughter premises had an additional approval granted in late 2007 to slaughter farmed deer. Two Small Meat Manufacturing premises also come under Sligo County Council supervision.

Sligo was chosen as one of the Counties to participate in a project in the North West designed to promote and market meat produced by Small Abattoirs. This came about following discussions between the Local Authority Veterinary Service, LEADER and the Department of Community, Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs. Progress on this was held up in the second half of 2008 and it is still under review.

The dioxin crisis which developed in December 2008 generated significant extra work for a short period. Three of the 4 premises under supervision of Sligo County Council were affected and one had to recall significant amounts of product which had been supplied to it. Certification was sent with all replacement product for a period to assure consumers that the product was not affected by the recall.

The inspection of liquid milk producers now takes place at an agreed level for all Local Authorities.

ANIMAL WELFARE

The Control of Dogs Act and The Control of Horses Act are the main pieces of welfare legislation that the Council has responsibility for.

Implementation of the Control of Dogs Acts involves investigation and seizure of stray dogs and checks for dog licences. The number of dog licences issued in 2008 was 4,409. This has been the result of a lot of work on the ground by the warden. Considerable work has also been done in re-homing dogs where possible. A new section on the Council web site “Adopt a dog” is proving very useful in re-homing dogs. Pictures and a brief description are put on the web and the contact details for the shelter are also given.

An expected increase in the dog licence fee which hasn’t changed in 10 years was delayed in 2008. This resulted in a loss on income to the Council as the fee taken by An Post was increased in March 2008 from €1.17 to €3.50.

Attention and resources were again focused in 2008 on breeds which are listed in the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 and which are commonly called restricted breeds. This involved targeting owners of these breeds and working with the Housing section of both Local Authorities. As recent events in Britain have shown, these breeds can be potentially very dangerous if not kept under strict control. Of the 352 dogs handled by the pound in 2008, 46 were restricted breeds and of these 28 were Pit Bulls/Pit Bull crosses. This focus will continue in 2009 both in the enforcement of existing regulations and the possible introduction of new bye laws if necessary.

The Warden carried out some patrols at a number of the beaches in the County following the introduction of Beach Bye-Laws in 2007. These included a provision to have dogs on a leash at all times.

The issue of stray horses continues to be monitored. Difficulties persist at some locations and seizures will be considered if the situation does not improve. Towards the end of 2008, an increase in complaints about Horse Welfare became apparent and seems to be linked to the economic downturn.