TECHNICAL REPORT 2016 IEL ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE SURVEY OF THE DAIRYGOLD CASTLEFARM FACILITY, MITCHELSTOWN, CO. CORK.

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1 TECHNICAL REPORT 16 IEL ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE SURVEY OF THE DAIRYGOLD CASTLEFARM FACILITY, MITCHELSTOWN, CO. CORK. FOR Gabriel Kelly Group Environmental Manager Dairygold Food ingredients Castlefarm Mitchelstown Report prepared by: Niall Vaughan, B.Sc. MIOA Our reference: NV_17816ENR1 Date: 19 th August 16 Tel: Web: Postal Address: The NSC Campus, Mahon, Cork, Ireland

2 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Dairygold Co-Operative Society is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the site operates under the terms of an Industrial Emissions (IE) Licence, (Register No. 44-2) as issued by the EPA. Under the terms of this licence the facility is obliged to operate within certain noise conditions and the specifics of these conditions are set out in Section 2 of this report. To assess the Castlefarm site s compliance against these conditions Dairygold commissioned CLV Consulting Limited to carry out their 16 environmental noise survey. The survey was carried out during the month of May when it was reported that the site was operating under normal conditions. In accordance with the IE licence the noise measurements were taken at designated locations during daytime and night-time periods. A description of these monitoring locations and the survey times is provided in the body of this report. The survey data has been examined and observations which were made during the survey have been reviewed. These have been assessed and compared against the noise criteria which the Castlefarm site must comply with as part of its IE licence criteria. It is concluded from the 16 environmental noise survey results that the Dairygold Castlefarm site is in compliance with the relevant noise sections of their IE licence. Report Prepared By: NIALL VAUGHAN Acoustic Consultant Page 2

3 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey CONTENTS Page Executive Summary 2 1. Introduction 4 2. Survey Details Choice of Measurement Locations Survey Periods Personnel and Instrumentation Procedure Measurement Parameters Results 6 3. Discussion and Conclusions 1 Figure 1 Measurement Locations 12 Appendix A IE Licence N o. 44, Condition 8 13 Appendix B 1/3 Octave Centre Frequency Data 14 Appendix C Graphical Representation of 1/3 Octave Centre Frequency Data 15 Appendix D Calibration Certificate for Sound Level Meter 19 Appendix E Calibration Certificate for Sound Level Calibrator Page 3

4 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey 1. INTRODUCTION The Dairygold Castlefarm facility is located on the edge of Mitchelstown town to the north west. The site adjoins a residential area to the east. To the north, west and south of the facility is open farmland with residential properties visible on all sides. The national primary route (N73) is located approximately.25km and.5km from the north and west boundaries respectively. The main operations at the facility are seasonal. Production typically takes place from mid-february to mid-november. During the off-season the primary sources operating at the facility are utility and treatment plant sources. When the facility is fully operational, several major plant items are brought online and run for various operating periods as required. To meet annual compliance with their IE Licence (N o. 44-2), Dairygold Mitchelstown is required to conduct an environmental noise survey at this facility. The noise survey is conducted in accordance with the EPA s requirements in order to establish if the facility is operating in compliance with the following criteria which is detailed in the site s IE licence; 2. SURVEY DETAILS Schedule B4 of the Licence stipulates the following Noise Limits for emissions associated with the facility, at the nearest noise sensitive receptors. Daytime (7:hrs to 23:hrs) Night-time (23:hrs to 7:hrs) 55dB (A) LAeq (3 Minutes) 45dB (A) LAeq (3 Minutes) A noise survey of site operations shall be carried out on an annual basis. The survey was conducted in accordance with ISO 1996: 7: Acoustics Description and measurement of environmental noise and the EPA guidance note Guidance Note for Noise: Licence Applications, Surveys and Assessments in relation to Schedules Activities (NG4). Specific details are set out below. The existing noise environment was assessed and quantified over a daytime and night-time period. Daytime and night-time periods are defined as 7:hrs to 19:hrs and 23:hrs to 7:hrs respectively. 2.1 Choice of Measurement Locations Measurements were conducted at four noise sensitive locations in the vicinity of the Castlefarm facility. These four locations include 3 locations referred to in the original licence application document (N/CF-6, N/CF-7, and N/CF-8) and an additional location in the vicinity of a private residence. A series of noise complaints have been received in relation to site operations to date from an occupant of this residence. Page 4

5 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey For simplicity, the references in this report will be referred to as S1, S2, S3 and S4. Table 1 cross references these positions to those on the original application and describes their location. Figure 1, at the rear of this document, shows the approximate locations of the measurement positions relative to the facility. Ref. IE Ref. Location S1 S2 S3 S4 Table 1 N/CF-6 N/CF-7 N/CF-8 n/a 2.2 Survey Periods Residence located some 25m directly east of the facility in an elevated position. It is located on laneway leading south from the main entrance road with a direct line of sight to the facility. Residence located some 1m directly east of the facility along the approach road to the facility. The residence is in a depression on the road where there is a direct line of sight to a portion of the facility. Residence located some 35m directly east of the facility. It is located on the corner of King s Square along the approach road to the facility. There is a partial line of sight to the facility This location is near to the complainant s residence situated at No. 1 Kingston Close, located east of the facility. Measurements during the survey were conducted at No. 3 Kingston Close in the centre of the lane. Dairygold Castlefarm IEL Noise Monitoring Locations Measurements were conducted over the following survey periods: 8:1hrs to 15:45hrs on 31 st May 16; 23:5hrs to 3:37hrs on 31 st May / 1 st June 16. Over the course of the monitoring periods the wind was from a north westerly direction and the wind speed ranged from.8m/s to 2.6m/s. The temperature ranged from 13 C to 19 C and the relative humidity was between 64% and 83%. The atmospheric pressure was 124 hpa. The meteorological observations were taken with a hand held anemometer and from the Moorepark weather station in Fermoy, Co. Cork. 2.3 Personnel and Instrumentation Niall Vaughan (CLV) conducted the noise level measurements during both the daytime and night-time survey periods. He holds a BSc from Bradford University in Environmental Science, a diploma in acoustics from the Institute of Acoustics and he is a member of the Institute of Acoustics. Niall has over fifteen years of experience in the field of acoustics. He has extensive knowledge in the fields of environmental noise assessment, mechanical services and manufacturing plant noise control and architectural acoustics. The measurements were conducted using an NTI Audio type XL2 Sound Level Meter (SLM) - serial number A2A-1989-EQ. Before and after the survey the measurement apparatus was check calibrated using a Casella Cel 1 Acoustic Calibrator (AC) - Page 5

6 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey serial number The calibrations certificates for the SLM and AC are in Appendices D and E respectively of this document. The SLM was fitted with a 9mm windshield. 2.4 Procedure Sample periods were 3 minutes in duration during the survey periods. The results were saved to the instrument memory for later analysis. Survey personnel noted all primary noise sources contributing to noise build-up. 2.5 Measurement Parameters The survey results are presented in terms of the following five parameters: LAeq LAmax LAmin LA1 LA9 is the equivalent continuous sound level. It is a type of average and is used to describe a fluctuating noise in terms of a single noise level over the sample period. is the instantaneous maximum sound level measured during the sample period. is the instantaneous minimum sound level measured during the sample period. is the sound level that is exceeded for 1% of the sample period. It is typically used as a descriptor for traffic noise. is the sound level that is exceeded for 9% of the sample period. It is typically used as a descriptor for background noise. The A suffix denotes the fact that the sound levels have been A-weighted in order to account for the non-linear nature of human hearing. All sound levels in this report are expressed in terms of decibels (db) relative to 2x1-5 Pa. The one third octave band frequency data for each measurement has been tabulated and also represented in a graphical format. 2.6 Results The results of the noise survey are presented below Location S1 The results of the measurements conducted during the survey at Location S1 are summarised in Table 2 below. Ref Start Time Period Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2x1-5 Pa) LAeq LAmax LAmin LA1 LA9 Comments 1 8:43-9: Road traffic. Facility. 2 11:- 11:3 Day Birdsong. 3 14:6-14: :1- :4 Night Facility. Road traffic. Page 6

7 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey 5 2:33-3: Table 2 Summary of results for Location S1. The ambient daytime noise environment at S1 was dominated by both local and distant road traffic movements. Noise emissions from the Castlefarm site were noted as background noise. Birdsong was also present as a fairly continuous background noise source but it s impact on the noise environment was slight. For the duration of the night-time monitoring periods the Castlefarm site was noted as the dominant source of noise. Subjectively, the noise profile from the site was steady state and broadband and this was also evident on the one third octave band frequency spectrum. Distant road traffic from the Mitchelstown bypass (N73) and the town itself were audible as background noise sources. Please note: the SLM was paused for the duration of local traffic movements during the night-time periods. No impulsive or tonal components were noted from site noise emissions at this location during the monitoring periods. Noise levels were of the order of 47dB to 53dB LAeq and 46dB LA9 for the daytime periods and 42dB to 43dB LAeq and 41dB LA9 for the night-time periods Location S2 The results of the measurements conducted during the survey at Location S2 are summarised in Table 3 below. Ref Start Time Period Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2x1-5 Pa) LAeq LAmax LAmin LA1 LA9 6 8:1 8: :26 1:56 Day :3 14: :37 : Night 1 2: 2: Table 3 Summary of results for Location S2. Comments Road traffic. Facility. Birdsong. Facility. Road traffic. At the noise monitoring location S2 local road traffic and distant N73 road traffic noise were the most audible noise sources. Noise from the Castlefarm site and from reasonably continuous birdsong was audible as steady state background noise. Noise emanating from the Castllefarm facility was the dominant source of noise for the night-time periods. Distant road traffic from the N73 was also perceptible but to a lesser degree than the daytime period on account of the reduction in the volume of traffic. Please note: the SLM was paused for the duration of local traffic movements during the night-time periods. No impulsive or tonal components were noted from site noise emissions at this location during the monitoring periods. Page 7

8 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey Noise levels were of the order of 49dB to 54dB LAeq and 44dB to 45dB LA9 for the daytime periods and 44dB LAeq and 43dB LA9 for the night-time periods Location S3 The results of the measurements conducted during the survey at Location S3 are summarised in Table 4 below. Ref Start Time Period Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2x1-5 Pa) LAeq LAmax LAmin LA1 LA9 11 9:17 9: :34 12:4 Day :4 15: :45 1: Night 15 3:7 3: Table 4 Summary of results for Location S3. Comments Road traffic. Birdsong. Facility. Facility. Road traffic. The dominant source of noise during the daytime periods was from both local and distant road traffic. Birdsong in the nearby vegetation was audible as a significant contributor to the noise environment. The Castlefarm facility was audible as a steady state background noise source. The 1dB difference between the first and third daytime period was due to variances in traffic movements. The ambient night-time noise environment at S3 was dominated by noise emissions from the Castlefarm facility. The noise profile was steady state and broadband which is evident in the consistency of the recorded noise levels. Distant traffic on the N73 and from the main street in Mitchelstown did contribute to the first night-time period. Please note: the SLM was paused for the duration of local traffic movements during the night-time periods. No impulsive or tonal components were noted from site noise emissions at this location during the monitoring periods. Noise levels were of the order of 53dB to 63dB LAeq and 43dB to 44dB LA9 for the daytime periods and 41dB to 46dB LAeq and 37dB to 39dB LA9 for the night-time periods Location S4 Kingston Close The results of measurements conducted during the survey at Location S4 are summarised in Table 5 below. Ref Start Time Period Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2x1-5 Pa) LAeq LAmax LAmin LA1 LA9 Comments 16 9:51 1: Road traffic :11 12:41 Day Birdsong. Tennis 18 15:15 15: club. Dog barking. Page 8

9 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey 19 23:5 23: Night 1:22 1: Table 5 Summary of results for Location S4. Road traffic. Facility. Traffic noise from vehicle movements on George Street which is adjacent to the monitoring location was the most audible source of noise during the daytime periods at S4. Birdsong was audible as a reasonably continuous source of noise and it had a noticeable impact on the noise levels. Background noise consisted of a dog barking occasionally in the distance and ball strikes from a game of tennis in the nearby tennis club. During the night-time periods at S4 the SLM was paused for the duration of local traffic movements on George Street. Traffic noise in the town itself was observed as the most audible source of noise and it was not possible to pause the SLM for the duration of these traffic movements due to their frequency. The Castlefarm facility was perceptible as a steady state and broadband noise source. Noise levels were of the order of 46dB to 5dB LAeq and 39dB to 45dB LA9 for the daytime periods and 45dB to 46dB LAeq and 4dB to 41dB LA9 for the night-time periods. Page 9

10 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey 3. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The 16 annual environmental noise survey of the Castlefarm facility was carried out during the month of May 16. During the survey the facility was running under normal production. The noise survey levels have been reviewed and these levels along with the subjective observations which were made during the survey have been compared against Dairygold s IE licence criteria. To recap the IE licence noise criteria is as follows; Daytime (7:hrs to 23:hrs) 55dB (A) LAeq (3 Minutes); Night-time (23:hrs to 7:hrs) 45dB (A) LAeq (3 Minutes); There shall be no clearly audible tonal component or impulsive component in the noise emission from the activity at any noise sensitive location. Table 6 below provides a comparison between the 14, 15 and 16 survey values. Location S1 S2 S3 Year Level LAeq LA9 LAeq LA9 LAeq LA9 Day Night Day Night Day Night Day S Night Table 6 Comparison of noise levels between 14, 15 and 16 During the daytime periods at locations S1, S2 and S3 the Castlefarm site was audible as a steady state background noise source. To provide a more accurate indication of the noise from the site during these periods it is suggested that the LA9 parameter be reviewed. The LA9 is a recognised parameter for steady state background noise whereas the LAeq parameter is influenced by all noise events which take place during the monitoring period. The LA9 values for these locations during the daytime periods is within compliance of the daytime IE noise criteria. Page 1

11 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey At location S4 the Castlefarm site was not audible during the daytime monitoring periods. Even without taking this into consideration the recorded daytime noise levels are well below the daytime noise criteria. During the night-time periods at locations S1, S2 and S3 the Castlefarm site was noted as the dominant source of noise. A review of the LAeq values for these periods shows that they are all within compliance with the night-time noise criteria with the exception of the first night-time period at S3. However, during this period there were contributions from road traffic. When the impact from the traffic is taken into account it is judged that the site would be well within compliance with the night-time criteria as was the second night-time LAeq value at this location. At location S4 the Castlefarm site was audible as a background noise source during the night-time periods. The LA9 values for these periods are well within the nighttime noise criteria. There were no tonal or impulsive noise emissions noted during the survey and when the facility was audible the noise profile was always steady state and broadband. Having reviewed the 16 survey data along with the observations which were made during the noise survey it is concluded that Dairygold Castlefarm is fully compliant with the noise conditions in its IE licence. Page 11

12 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey FIGURE 1 Measurement Locations Page 12

13 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey APPENDIX A IPPC Licence N o. 44-2, Condition 6.14 The conditions of the licence in relation to noise are outlined in Condition 6.14 as follows: The licensee shall carry out a comprehensive noise survey of the installation within twelve months of the date of grant of the licence of this licence. The survey programme shall be agreed in advance with the Agency, and shall be undertaken in accordance with the methodology specified in the Environmental Noise Survey Guidance Document as published by the Agency. The survey shall, as a minimum, incorporate the following elements: Monitoring at suitable noise sensitive locations. Identification and monitoring of significant noise sources. Narrow band frequency analysis of significant noise sources. An assessment of the impact of noise emissions from the installation at noise sensitive locations. A report on the survey shall be submitted to the Agency within one month of completion of the survey. The survey shall be repeated at intervals as required by the Agency A programme to reduce noise emissions where necessary, in order to ensure compliance with the conditions and emission limit values specified in this licence, shall be submitted to the Agency within one month of completion of the survey report. The programme must highlight specific goals and a time scale, together with options for modification, upgrading or replacement The licensee shall, within twelve months of the date of grant of licence, develop a preventative maintenance programme and procedures to minimise noise arising from process equipment at the installation. Schedule B.4 Noise Emissions, particular to noise emissions, sets out the following limits: Daytime 55dB(A) Leq Night time 45dB(A) Leq There shall be no clearly audible tonal component or impulsive component in the noise emission from the activity at any noise sensitive location. Page 13

14 k 1.25k 1.6k 2k 2.5k 3.15k 4k 5k 6.3k 8k 1k 12.5k CLV Consulting Limited Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey APPENDIX B 1/3 Octave Centre Frequency Data A-weighted One-Third Octave Band Centre Frequency [Hz] Ref A 1 Day Day S1 Day Night Night Day Day S2 Day Night Night Day Day S3 Day Night Night Day Day S4 Day Night Night Page 14

15 CLV Consulting Limited Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey APPENDIX C 1/3 Octave Centre Frequency Data Graphical Representation 6 Location S1 Daytime - Ref 1 6 Location S1 Daytime - Ref Location S1 Daytime - Ref Location S1 Night-time - Ref 4 6 Location S1 Night-time - Ref 5 4 Page 15

16 CLV Consulting Limited Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey 6 Location S2 Daytime - Ref 6 6 Location S2 Daytime - Ref Location S2 Night-time - Ref 9 6 Location S2 Night-time - Ref 1 4 Page 16

17 CLV Consulting Limited Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey 6 Location S3 Daytime - Ref 11 6 Location S3 Daytime - Ref Location S3 Daytime - Ref Location S3 Night-time - Ref 14 6 Location S3 Night-time - Ref 15 4 Page 17

18 CLV Consulting Limited Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey 6 Location S4 Daytime - Ref 16 6 Location S4 Daytime - Ref Location S4 Daytime - Ref Location S4 Night-time - Ref Location S4 Night-time - Ref Page 18

19 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey APPENDIX D Calibration Certificate of Sound Level Meter Page 19

20 Castlefarm 16 IEL Noise Survey APPENDIX E Calibration Certificate of Sound Calibrator Page