‘Heads in the sand’ on water quality

Local representatives have sounded alarm over water quality in the Nenagh district and are calling on the relevant authorities to take action.

Tipperary suffered the highest rate of water quality decline nationally between 2016 and 2021. The well-documented deterioration of rivers and lakes was discussed at last week's meeting of Nenagh Municipal District, at which councillors agreed that not enough is being done about the situation.

Cllr Séamie Morris spoke of a particular problem of unlicensed pipes discharging raw sewage into rivers. He wanted to know where responsibility lies for monitoring these pipes.

Having recently drawn attention to a presence of elevated levels of trihalomethanes (THMs) added to drinking water supplies in the Nenagh district, Cllr Morris said he is “extremely concerned” about the situation. The EU limit for THMs is 100 microgrammes per litre in drinking water, but he said recent tests of several local supplies indicated levels far higher than this; 151µg/L was recorded in Silvermines.

“They can cause cancer,” Cllr Morris said of THMs. He wanted the matter brought to the attention of Uisce Éireann and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Cllr Michael O'Meara was also concerned about raw sewage being pumped into local rivers. He recalled questioning a particular situation at the Brosna River and being told that the amount of pollution was so small that there was no need to be alarmed.

“I don't accept that,” Cllr O'Meara exclaimed. “We're all collectively putting our heads in the sand here and the quality of our water is suffering.”

FARMERS PENALISED

He also hit out at farmers being “penalised with strict draconian laws” where the quality of water courses is concerned. “Our own local authorities don't seem to be brought to task at all,” Cllr O'Meara observed. He questioned the role of Uisce Éireann in the matter.

Cllr Joe Hannigan was also of the view that it is “unfair to target farmers” when other agencies are to blame for deteriorating water quality. Overburdened wastewater treatment plants are contributing to water contamination - “there's no point in telling farmers to get their act together when treatment plant capacity is the issue”, Cllr Hannigan said.

He asked the representatives of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) present at the meeting to bring the matter up with Uisce Éireann and the EPA. “What stick have you got to beat these guys with in order to get them to take action?” Cllr Hannigan asked.

Cllr Ger Darcy joined previous speakers in praising the work of the Ballinderry Development Association in a river and habit enhancement scheme on the Ballyfinboy River. He hoped other groups would become aware that LAWPRO funding is available for similar schemes.

Cllr Darcy said a lot of good work would be achieved if the authorities worked with farmers. He spoke of the need to keep rivers clear of debris in order to prevent flooding.

Cllr John Carroll said he would like to see LAWPRO funding used to clear dislodged branches and overhanging trees from the Kilmastulla River. The drainage committee does not receive enough funding and there is great potential for the river as a recreation and tourism amenity, he said.

Ruth Hennessy of LAWPRO's South East Region said the programme is engaging with Uisce Éireann on wastewater treatment plant upgrades. An investment programme is in place and LAWPRO would like to see it moving faster, but the matter presents a “big challenge”, she said.

The EPA is the regulatory agency with regard to water pollution, though Ms Hennessy encouraged people to report concerns about pipes not being monitored to LAWPRO. The programme has a team of scientists that study rivers and analyse water quality. It works closely with the council's Planning and Environment & Climate Action sections. LAWPRO is not directly involved in THMs, though its members do want to see less reliance on chemicals in drinking water, she said.