Quantifying contributions of domestic wastewater treatment systems to nutrient fluxes in stream headwaters

Raymond Flynn; J. Deakin; Les Brown; J.R. O'Brien; B. Misstear

Quantifying contributions of domestic wastewater treatment systems to nutrient fluxes in stream headwaters

Raymond Flynn, J. Deakin, Les Brown, J.R. O'Brien, B. Misstear

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Effective implementation of the Water Framework Directive requires a reappraisal of conventional approaches to water quality monitoring. Quantifying the impact of domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) in Irish catchments is further complicated by high levels of natural heterogeneity. This paper presents a numerical model that couples attenuation to flow along different hydrological pathways contributing to river discharge; this permits estimation of the impact of DWWTS to overall nutrient fluxes under a range of geological conditions. Preliminary results suggest high levels of attenuation experienced
before DWWTS effluent reaches bedrock play a significant role in reducing its ecological impact on aquatic receptors. Conversely, low levels of attenuation in systems discharging directly to surface water may affect water quality more significantly, particularly during prolonged dry periods in areas underlain by low productivity aquifers (>60% of Ireland), where dilution capacity is limited.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Procedings of International Symposium on Domestic Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
Publication status	Published - 11 Sep 2012
Event	International symposium on domestic wastewater treatment and disposal systems - Dublin, Ireland Duration: 10 Sep 2012 → 11 Sep 2012

Conference

Conference	International symposium on domestic wastewater treatment and disposal systems
Country	Ireland
City	Dublin
Period	10/09/2012 → 11/09/2012

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Cite this

@inproceedings{2b3d7b164b4948a79bbd81810079b5e8,

title = "Quantifying contributions of domestic wastewater treatment systems to nutrient fluxes in stream headwaters",

abstract = "Effective implementation of the Water Framework Directive requires a reappraisal of conventional approaches to water quality monitoring. Quantifying the impact of domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) in Irish catchments is further complicated by high levels of natural heterogeneity. This paper presents a numerical model that couples attenuation to flow along different hydrological pathways contributing to river discharge; this permits estimation of the impact of DWWTS to overall nutrient fluxes under a range of geological conditions. Preliminary results suggest high levels of attenuation experienced before DWWTS effluent reaches bedrock play a significant role in reducing its ecological impact on aquatic receptors. Conversely, low levels of attenuation in systems discharging directly to surface water may affect water quality more significantly, particularly during prolonged dry periods in areas underlain by low productivity aquifers (>60% of Ireland), where dilution capacity is limited.",

author = "Raymond Flynn and J. Deakin and Les Brown and J.R. O'Brien and B. Misstear",

year = "2012",

month = sep,

day = "11",

language = "English",

booktitle = "Procedings of International Symposium on Domestic Wastewater Treatment and Disposal",

note = "International symposium on domestic wastewater treatment and disposal systems ; Conference date: 10-09-2012 Through 11-09-2012",

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TY - GEN

T1 - Quantifying contributions of domestic wastewater treatment systems to nutrient fluxes in stream headwaters

AU - Flynn, Raymond

AU - Deakin, J.

AU - Brown, Les

AU - O'Brien, J.R.

AU - Misstear, B.

PY - 2012/9/11

Y1 - 2012/9/11

N2 - Effective implementation of the Water Framework Directive requires a reappraisal of conventional approaches to water quality monitoring. Quantifying the impact of domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) in Irish catchments is further complicated by high levels of natural heterogeneity. This paper presents a numerical model that couples attenuation to flow along different hydrological pathways contributing to river discharge; this permits estimation of the impact of DWWTS to overall nutrient fluxes under a range of geological conditions. Preliminary results suggest high levels of attenuation experienced before DWWTS effluent reaches bedrock play a significant role in reducing its ecological impact on aquatic receptors. Conversely, low levels of attenuation in systems discharging directly to surface water may affect water quality more significantly, particularly during prolonged dry periods in areas underlain by low productivity aquifers (>60% of Ireland), where dilution capacity is limited.

AB - Effective implementation of the Water Framework Directive requires a reappraisal of conventional approaches to water quality monitoring. Quantifying the impact of domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) in Irish catchments is further complicated by high levels of natural heterogeneity. This paper presents a numerical model that couples attenuation to flow along different hydrological pathways contributing to river discharge; this permits estimation of the impact of DWWTS to overall nutrient fluxes under a range of geological conditions. Preliminary results suggest high levels of attenuation experienced before DWWTS effluent reaches bedrock play a significant role in reducing its ecological impact on aquatic receptors. Conversely, low levels of attenuation in systems discharging directly to surface water may affect water quality more significantly, particularly during prolonged dry periods in areas underlain by low productivity aquifers (>60% of Ireland), where dilution capacity is limited.

M3 - Conference contribution

BT - Procedings of International Symposium on Domestic Wastewater Treatment and Disposal

T2 - International symposium on domestic wastewater treatment and disposal systems

Y2 - 10 September 2012 through 11 September 2012

ER -