Glaslough ICW - Monaghan County Council’s perspective:
The need for a new Sewerage Treatment Works to serve the expanding needs of Glaslough Village was recognised for many years. Positive feedback from the use of Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs) in the Anne Valley in Co. Waterford prompted Monaghan County Council (MCC) to explore the possibility of constructing such a system in Glaslough.
The project was really kick-started when Dr. Rory Harrington of The Heritage Service hosted a field trip to the Anne Valley in Aug 2003. Billy Moore (then Co. Engineer), Dan Doody (Sen. Eng.), Mark Johnston (SEE) of MCC and Sammy Leslie attended. The rapport evident during this field trip between these key stakeholders has permeated through all our meetings and discussions since then. (Dr. Harrington and Sammy Leslie take a bow).
The chosen site within the estate wall, on the banks of the Mountain Water River, surrounded by woodland and within easy walking distance of Castle Leslie demanded sensitive development in terms of Landscape Fit, Biodiversity and Habitat Enhancement. In fundamental contrast to traditional sewerage treatment works, which are designed to be cut-off from the public and from wildlife, the basic concept for this ICW was and is to enhance the water-based theme inherent in the name “Glaslough” and to integrate the ICW as an amenity area to be enjoyed by the guests of Castle Leslie and the Equestrian Centre. Equestrian riding trails are being developed and enhanced on the banks of the wetland ponds.
Future considerations:
While the primary objective of the Glaslough ICW is to provide an effective, robust, economical and low maintenance system for the treatment of sewerage effluent from the village of Glaslough, MCC and Dr. Harrington are convinced that ICW (low)technology can be applied to other Water Quality Management issues related to:
• Sewerage and Drinking Water Sludge Management
• Drinking Water Source Protection
• Agricultural Wastes
• Leachate (from Landfills)
• In-stream Water Quality
• Flood Amelioration (SUDS)
To this end it is envisaged that the Glaslough ICW will provide a Field Laboratory in the North East Region where extensive monitoring will aid an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in wetlands. Perhaps in time a wider appreciation of the environmental and ecological roles of wetlands will reverse the progressive loss of natural wetland ecosystems, which has occurred over Ireland and most of Europe in recent centuries.
In summary this project represents the best of what Public Private Partnership means in practice at local level. As the wetland system matures over the coming years MCC expects that it will provide a stunning amenity addition to the treasure that is the Castle Leslie Estate. With very best wishes from Monaghan County Council for the major development works currently nearing completion on the estate.