Water quality in our local rivers takes a ‘nose dive’

A BODY tasked with the battle of reversing declining water quality in rivers and lakes in North Tipperary is seeking volunteers to help with its work.

The appeal was made by Dr Fran Igoe, the South East Regional Manager of the Local Authorities Water Programme, while giving a presentation to Nenagh district councillors at their January meeting.

The body, known also as LAWPRO, coordinates efforts to achieve good or high-water quality in rivers, lakes and coastal waters and has offices based in every region in the State, including Tipperary.

Dr Igoe, a freshwater biologist, told councillors that water quality in rivers throughout North Tipperary had taken “a nose dive” over the past decade or so.

He said LAWPRO was working with community groups, farmers, local authorities and other agencies to try to restore rivers, lakes and groundwater, now all being badly impacted by pollution.

Dr Igoe said one of the local initiatives involved a project on the Ballyfinboy River that included an input from Arrabawn Co-op and local farmers.

Another local project involved a drive to eliminate the growth of the invasive species, Hogweed, in the upper reaches of the Mulcair River. Tipperary Co-op has an input into this project as have local farmers.

Other local waterways where the community’s input was needed to tackle water quality degradation, include the Nenagh River, the Clareen Stream and Lough Derg.

Dr Igoe said tackling pollution was vital for these areas as angling was very popular.

FISH THREATENED

Water quality had declined so steeply in some local rivers that the ability of wild brown trout and salmon to reproduce was now being compromised.

With Lough Derg being the source of Nenagh’s drinking supply, Dr Igoe said restoring the lake waters to good quality would make it much less expensive for Tipperary County Council to treat.

Dr Igoe said the role of his organistion included working with farmers, councils, forestry owners, community groups and other agencies to slow the spillage of water from roads, footpaths and farms into rivers. By doing this the impact of pollution could be greatly reduced.

Dr Igoe said community groups, farmers and others who were interested in getting involved could receive help with funding and should get in touch with LAWPRO, whose regional office is in Clonmel.

He said his organisation was also looking for “local champions” in all communities to help in the effort, which not alone aimed to improve water quality but also to tackle climate change.

SIGNIFCANT CHALLENGE

“We have a significant water challenge in Tipperary, but it is possible to turn it around; and with the public getting involved and rowing in behind us we can push things back,” said Dr Igoe.

Cllr John Carroll agreed that water quality had dropped sharply in Tipperary. The next generation would not thank the present generation if the problem was not tackled.

He noted that LAWPRO was rolling out lots of nature-based solutions to tackle the problem, such as the planting of trees and slowing water flow into rivers and lakes.

“Everyone has to play a role and we cannot be just blaming one sector for water pollution,” said Cllr Carroll.

SOBERING READING

Cllr Michael O’ Meara said the challenge ahead to tackle water degradation in Tipperary made for “sobering reading”.

“We have a fair challenge ahead of us and we all have to meet that challenge collectively. Water quality has diminished by 46 per cent since 2010, so there is a job or work to be done,” said Cllr O’ Meara.

Asked about water quality in Lough Derg, Dr Igoe said it was currently classed as “moderate”.

He said that this had been its status for a number of years and the lake remained “under pressure”.

Dr Igoe said it would be great to get a group of people together to work in association with his organisation on improving water quality in the Nenagh River.

Last year the Environment Protection Agency downgraded water quality in the river to what it termed “bad condition”.