Report shows 40% pollution of Lough Ree

A new report on water quality in Lough Ree has shown that 40% of the lake is polluted. Farming, industry, local authority sewerage, and Bord na Mona are blamed for the problem. The second report of the Lough Ree Lough Derg Catchment Monitoring Group was published this morning. The report recommends the introduction of new bye laws by county councils which would force farmers to spread slurry before July 1st each year. It also urges the introduction of stricter pollution controls on pig farmers.

The report has also identified the River Camlin near Longford town as the most polluted river in the River Shannon catchment of the two lakes. Over a dozen private companies have been identified in the report as releasing waste water and other substances to some of some lakes' tributaries. There is no evidence that these firms are polluting the lakes but a recommendation has been made that these omissions and their licences should be reviewed.

For the second time in recent months, Bord na Mona's management of bog drainage also comes under focus in today's report. The contribution made by peat milling to water pollution is identified in both Lough Ree and Lough Derg with a recommendation that the management of silt ponds used by the Bord for drainage purposes should be reviewed.