COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

"Following a number of complaints in relation to the quality of Griffeen River beside the Dog Park/bridge, and following recent media reports of a death of a dog after drinking from this river, this committee requests the Chief Executive carry out further examinations of the river Griffeen Parks."

REPORT:

After the report of a dog fatality an upstream assessment of the Griffeen Valley Park was carried out which did not reveal any unusual activity. As a precaution water quality samples were also collected at the time of the report and results from the laboratory are expected late December.

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 environmental analysis of the River Griffeen over the past three years and is currently assessing the possibility of using Integrated Constructed Wetland technology to purify water discharging from specific culverts to the river in the area near the dog run. Planning for the installation of such wetlands follows a certain process, which takes time and includes utilising lands in the park to site the wetlands - discussion of which has commenced.