COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

QUESTION NO.11

QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

"To ask the Chief Executive for details of any recent water quality testing of Griffeen River in Lucan; and to further ask that the Griffeen River be included in the list water bodies of importance for assessment work to be carried out during 2018-2021 in conjunctions with the EPA and the new River Basin Plans and Measures; noting the ongoing regular complaints about water quality (sickly colour and odours), most likely due to lingering problems of misconnections?"

REPLY:

Water quality samples are collected from the River Griffeen at regular frequency from two locations, Amyler Road and Lucan Village, by Water Services staff of South Dublin County Council.

Results show good water quality at Amyler Road sampling point and moderate water quality at Lucan Village for the relevant nutrient parameters of ammonia and phosphorus. The results are typical for a stream of its size as it flows from upland rural to and through lowland urban areas accumulating nutrients, particularly in the large urban area of Lucan.

South Dublin County Council has performed a significant amount of water quality sampling and assessment of the River Griffeen over the past three years as it is a river of interest to the Water Services section of the Council and will receive thorough consideration when the Council agrees its programmes of measures for the county with the EPA, for the second cycle of the Water Framework Directive.

With regard to recent concerns about the colour of the River Griffeen during nearly all of the past three years, including the past week, the colour and general appearance of the water remains clear and acceptable as a natural surface water. However, if there are occasions or episodes of discolouration then the public should phone the Council immediately at (01) 4149000 for the purpose of investigation at the time the problem is observed.