Protection
Protecting Our Water
Design
How the plant protects water beneath and around the site
The Killough AD Plant uses sealed storage tanks, bunded fuel systems, and a network of groundwater monitoring wells to catch any issues before they spread. Every drop of process water and rainfall is recycled within the system, so nothing leaves the site untreated.
The site when constructed will be a fully paved site, preventing rainwater from percolating through contaminated soil and protecting the groundwater below. No water is required from Uisce Éireann or any local water scheme, as collected rainwater will suffice for all quarry operations such as dust suppression. A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment examined impacts on land, soil, and water, including both surface water and groundwater, with mitigation measures set out for the protection of the underlying groundwater body. The proposed development will not result in a risk of deterioration on any water body, including rivers, lakes, groundwaters, transitional and coastal waters – either qualitatively or quantitatively. All mitigation measures, drainage arrangements, and management of surface water comply with the Water Framework Directive objectives
Standards
ISO 14001 environmental management
The existing quarry operates under ISO 14001:2015 accreditation. This environmental management system will be updated to cover the new AD facility, ensuring all operations meet industry standards for water protection and pollution prevention.
Recycling
Process water stays in the system
All process water and rainfall collected at the site is recycled within the facility. Nothing leaves untreated. Water vapours from feedstock and digestate management are captured by the odour removal system, where they condense and return to the process water sump for reuse.
Sealed
All tanks and silos sealed
Every storage tank and silo at the site is sealed and bunded. This containment approach prevents any accidental leakage from entering the surrounding soil or groundwater.
Fuel storage is bunded
Fuel and oils are stored in existing covered bunded tanks. No refuelling happens onsite, and smaller volumes are handled using bunded trays to catch any spills immediately.
Paved surface when operational
Once the plant is operational, the entire site will be paved. This prevents rainwater from percolating through contaminated soil and protects the groundwater below.
Maintenance
Leakage mitigation programme in place
A trained team operates a leakage mitigation programme following best practice guidelines and best available technology (BAT). This programme is documented in the environmental management system and checked regularly to catch problems early. During commissioning of the plant, all tanks and pipes will be integrity tested, with daily inspections by staff carried out throughout operations. A leakage mitigation programme in line with best practice guidelines and best available technology (BAT) will be operated by trained and competent personnel. No discharge of process water from the site will occur, as a Surface Water Management Plan is in place to manage all water flows. Drainage from paved and trafficked areas will be collected in a separate sealed pipe network for onsite storage in the surface water pond after passing through an interceptor. Current water abstraction for the quarry will cease when the proposed plant is operational, as the collected rainwater will supply both quarry operations and the concrete batching plant adjacent to the site through a sealed pipe network.
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Turning local resources into secure low carbon energy and rural regeneration for Killough.