Water supplies are a scarce and expensive resource and cannot be wasted and in this regard water conservation policies are now mandatory on the Council and are in accordance with the principles of sustainability.

During the period of the last plan the Bregagh sewerage scheme was implemented and the Kilkenny Water Conservation scheme was commenced which has been a major success and which is still ongoing.

There are 11 major wastewater treatment schemes and 14 smaller waste water schemes within the County treating waste water equivalent to a population of about 128,000 people.

A substantial part of the County’s sanitary infrastructure is over twenty years old and was not designed to meet the present level of demand, without taking into account stricter standards in the future and demands for better quality of service.

There is consequently a need for updating and renewal. A very substantial investment is required in both water supplies and wastewater treatment works over the coming years to ensure satisfactory facilities throughout the County.

Water is a vital resource which is essential for all types of development. The quality of this resource is important for the public, the wider environment and the economic and physical development of the County.

In 1999 consultants carried out a strategic review of water supplies within the County. The report identifies the optimum strategy for providing County Kilkenny with an adequate water supply, taking into account the likely increase in demand to the year 2026.

It is the policy of the Council:
a) To implement the recommendations of the Kilkenny Water Supplies strategic Review.
b) Extend water supplies to meet the expanding domestic commercial and industrial needs of the County.
c) Improve the provision of services in those areas where deficiencies exist at present.
d) Encourage the economic use of existing service.
e) Conserve valuable water supplies by eliminating leakages.
f) Conserve and protect sources of supply through the application of the principles of sustainability in their development and controlling development in their vicinity, which would give rise to adverse impacts.

The main source of water in Kilkenny for industrial and domestic use is surface water abstracted from rivers and streams. The Rivers Nore, Blackwater, Dinan and Duiske are the principal sources of supply for the county's urban and industrial supplies. The rivers Barrow and Suir act as county boundaries and are the shared responsibility of several counties. The River Nore provides Kilkenny City and a number of other settlements with their water supply. The Rivers Barrow and Nore have Special Area of Conservation status.

Underground water supplies are used by a significant number of households in the county who are dependent on private wells. A number of group schemes are also dependant on underground aquifers. Underground aquifers are exploited commercially for bottled water, which can be a significant economic resource. Ground water also contributes to the river system.

An aquifer classification map has been prepared which identifies the principal aquifers of County Kilkenny.

The Council is at present preparing a Ground Water Protection Plan in conjunction with the Geological Survey of Ireland. The Groundwater Protection Plan is a management tool that will allow the planning and licensing authorities to make decisions on the location, nature and control of developments and activities in order to protect groundwaters.

The Council has participated in the Catchment Management and Monitoring Scheme for the River Suir Catchment titled the “Three Rivers Project.

In response to the Phosphorous Regulations 1998 and the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977-1990 the Council has prepared a Measures Report which details the water quality standards for phosphorous in the County.

The Council has taken appropriate development control measures in relation to agricultural, industrial and residential development in order to prevent water pollution through farm surveys, river monitoring and lectures on pollution control.

It is the policy of the Council to

a) ensure the sustainable and economic provision of an adequate supply of good quality water for industrial, domestic and other beneficial uses, including the propagation of healthy fish stocks.
b) to implement its adopted Water Quality Management Plans in order to prevent pollution and to ensure that beneficial uses of the waters e.g. industrial, domestic and agricultural abstraction, fishing and recreation, are protected.
c) ensure the protection of sources of potable water and will continue the process of monitoring the quality of water resources.
d) prevent industrial water pollution by ensuring that development is appropriately located, by seeking effluent reduction and 'clean production' where feasible, by requiring that waste water treatment facilities are adequate, and that effluents are treated and discharged in a satisfactory manner. The Council will seek by means of development control and where necessary enforcement measures to prevent pollution of water by agricultural activities.
e) Ensure the completion of a groundwater protection plan for the county in conjunction with the Geological Survey of Ireland.

1. The County Council is committed to the implementation of the monitoring and management system for the River Suir Catchment designed under the Three Rivers Project.
2. The County Council is committed to the implementation of the measures quoted under the Water Quality Standards for Phosphorous Report.
3. The County Council will participate in the development of a river Basin Management Project for the South East Region.

The Council has taken appropriate development control measures in relation to agricultural industrial and residential development in order to prevent ground and surface water pollution.

The provision of wastewater treatment infrastructure is imperative to facilitate the economic, social, and physical development of the County.
It is essential to facilitate the planned phased expansion of the towns and villages throughout the County.
In addition the continued improvement and provision of this infrastructure is necessary to meet the requirements of the E.U. wastewater treatment directive.

The Council in conjunction with local development groups and/or private individuals and developers, under it’s small schemes programme and group sewerage schemes programme will facilitate the development of waste water treatment facilities in the smaller settlements not identified in the existing priority proposals of the Council.

The Council is committed to making a plan for the disposal of sludge from treatment plants within the County. Consultants have been appointed to prepare a sludge strategy for the County.

It is the Councils policy to:

a) Extend waste water treatment to meet the expanding domestic commercial and industrial needs of the County.
b) Improve the provision of treatment services in those areas where deficiencies exist at present.
c) Encourage the economic use of existing treatment service.
d) Meet in full the requirements of the E.U. wastewater treatment directive.
e) Ensure that arrangements for the treatment and disposal of effluent from all forms of development is sustainable and meets environmentally acceptable standards.
f) Develop a strategy for the treatment of sludge for the County.

The Council is committed to a major programme of investment for the provision of water supplies and wastewater treatment infrastructure. The Council has prioritised this investment programme and it is set out in the County Engineers report of 1997 as adopted by the Council.

The completion of the water supply schemes and the waste water treatment schemes will be sought within the period of this Plan. The priority of the schemes may be subject to alteration depending on changing circumstances.

The major sewerage schemes within the county are as follows:

Kilkenny City & Environs: Upgrade existing plant and provide sludge treatment facility for the county.
Thomastown Sewerage Scheme: Upgrade treatment works, improve and provide new pipe network.
Graiguenamanagh Sewerage Scheme: New Treatment Works
Kilmacow Sewerage Scheme: Complete New Scheme
Urlingford Sewage Scheme: Upgrade Treatment Works and improve pipe network
Freshford Sewerage Scheme: Upgrade treatment works and improve pipe networks
Johnstown Sewerage Scheme: Upgrade Treatment Works.
Goresbridge Sewerage Scheme: Provide New Treatment Works.
Ballyragget Sewerage Scheme: Upgrade Treatment Works.
Bennettsbridge Sewerage Scheme: Upgrade Treatment Works.
Inistioge Sewerage Scheme: Upgrade Treatment Works.
Clogh, Chatsworth, Moneenroe Sewerage Scheme: Extend Pipe Network.

The major water supply schemes within the County area are as follows:

Gowran, Goresbridge, Paulstown W.S.S: Augmentation Scheme.
Belview Water Supply Scheme, Bennettsbridge Regional: Augmentation Scheme.
Urlingford/Johnstown W.S.S.: Augmentation Scheme.
Kilkenny/Freshford: Augmentation Scheme
Ballyragget W.S.S.: Augmentation Scheme
Inistioge/Rower W.S.S.: Augmentation Scheme.
Clogh/Castlecomer W.S.S.: Improve Treatment Works.
Piltown/Fiddown W.S.S.: Augmentation Scheme.
Graignamanagh W.S.S.: Augmentation Scheme.
Callan Water Supply Scheme Mooncoin Regional Water Supply Scheme: Provide Chlorine Booster Stations.
Glenmore Water Supply Scheme: Upgrade

The Belview water supply scheme is seen as essential to facilitate the expansion and development of Belview Port. Consultants have been appointed to recommend a source of supply.

It is an objective of the Council to prepare sludge strategy for the County and provide a sludge treatment facility for the County within the period of the Plan.

The National Development Plan 2000-2006 highlights as a key priority the need for investment in waste management infrastructure given the significant strain being placed on existing provision as a result of rapid economic growth.

The South East Regional Authority Waste Management Strategy Study was formally adopted as the waste management strategy of Kilkenny County Council on the 15th March 1999. The regional strategy forms the blueprint for waste management in the South East Region for the next 20 years. The strategy embraces National and European waste management policy. By the adoption of that strategy the County Council recognises the need for a long-term sustainable approach to waste management and supports National and Regional policy on waste management.

Kilkenny County Council has produced a Waste Management Plan for the period 2000-2004, which sets out its waste management policy. Efficient waste management is one of the central themes of sustainable development. It is imperative that an efficient waste management infrastructure be in place within Kilkenny if the county is to attract foreign investment.

Caherlesk and Grannagh landfills have been closed and returned to agricultural use with part of Dunmore landfill closed and returned to agricultural and forestry use. The Council has facilitated the provision of recycling services including bottle, can and textile banks in Kilkenny City and County.

Kilkenny County Council’s policies are designed to be consistent with the hierarchy of decision making in an integrated waste management programme in accordance with the Government Policy objective as stated in the document “Changing Our Ways” (DoELG September 1998).

It is the policy of the Council

a) To implement the County Kilkenny Waste Management Plan,
b) To liaise with adjoining Authorities with regard to the feasibility of co-operative arrangements for waste disposal and recycling,
c) To co-operate with the Local Authorities within the South East region in the preparation of a Waste Management Plan for the South East Region.
d) To use its statutory powers to protect the environment from indiscriminate and unsightly dumping in order to protect the appearance of rural and urban areas, and in the interests of public health.
e) To continue to encourage Tidy Towns and other community environmental initiatives and to promote awareness of the value of a clean and tidy environment.
f) To stabilise and in the longer term reverse the growth in waste generation by prevention and minimisation.
g) To integrate its waste management policy with that of the SouthEast Region.
h) To develop and implement education programmes that increase the awareness and understanding of local government decision makers , educators , business and industry personnel, general public and students of the need to effectively reduce and mange solid waste through the dedication of an education officer.
i) To embark on a detailed eco – audit of its activities in order to identify baseline conditions concerning its in house purchasing policies, consumption patterns and waste production in accordion with Local Agenda 21.
j) That if waste cannot be re used or recycled it will be disposed of in a manner which will minimise environmental pollution is operated on the Polluter Pays Principle.
k) In conjunction with Kilkenny Corporation to introduce kerbside collection of recyclables in Kilkenny City & Environs following a detailed review of the various methods available.
l) To support and encourage with the help of organisations such as Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and Industry and IBEC the commercial and industrial sectors in the achievement of statutory recycling targets.

a) In order to promote reuse, recovery and recycling of materials, the County Council will establish a civic amenity centre in the area of Kilkenny City, increase the number of bring centres and pilot a green waste composting scheme.
b) The Council’s landfill at Dunmore has a limited capacity estimated to the end of 2001. The Council will assess the feasibility of extending the Dunmore Landfill site as an interim measure subject to Waste Licensing Regulations and Environmental Impact Statement.
c) The Council will carry out a site selection study to identify a potentially suitable area for development as a landfill site for the disposal of waste in an acceptable manner in the medium to long term, pending the development of a Regional Integrated Waste Management Solution. The development of this landfill in a suitable area shall be subject to an Environmental Impact Statement and may commence within the period of this County Development Plan.
d) The Council will develop a waste transfer Station at an appropriate location dependent on the location of a Regional Integrated Waste Management facility or medium to long-term landfill.

There is a very high air quality within the County and it is the objective of Kilkenny County Council to maintain its optimal standards.

a) It is the policy of Kilkenny County Council in setting and monitoring emission limits to ensure that the developments, which are subject to the requirement of the Air Pollution Act 1987 and Air Pollution (Licensing of Industrial Plant) Regulations 1988 or any subsequent regulations meet appropriate emission standards and other relevant national and international standards.

b) It is the policy of the Council to support public transport and non motorised transport as a means of reducing locally generated air emissions and to encourage landscaping and tree planting as a means of purification and filtering of the air.

Litter is a continuing problem in both urban and rural areas. The Council recognises the importance of protecting the towns and countryside from indiscriminate dumping and bill posting and in keeping the environment in general, free from litter.

It is the policy of the Council to carry out its statutory functions in relation to the Litter Pollution Act 1997. A litter Management Plan has been prepared and adopted for the County in 1997.

A clean and well-presented local environment is a sign of good civic organisation and pride. This has been reflected locally in the good performance of the towns and villages of the County in the National Tidy Towns Competition.

a) It is the policy of the Council to carry out its statutory functions in relation to the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

b) It is the policy of the Council to build on the achievements to date in the Tidy Towns and to develop a civic spirit which fosters pride in a clean and litter free county and frowns on the anti social litter behaviour of littering our towns and countryside.

c) It is the policy of the Council to continue in its partnership approach with the Tidy Towns Associations, Community Groups, farming organisations, trade unions, the business community, the local media, sporting organisations, tourism bodies and Gardai in the support and fostering of anti litter initiatives within the County.