Advertisement
News

Irish Water says natural algae to blame for Sneem water quality issues

May 6, 2021 17:05 By radiokerrynews
Irish Water says natural algae to blame for Sneem water quality issues
Share this article

Irish Water says naturally occurring algal phenomena are to blame for water quality issues in Sneem.

Amid allegations of pollution in the Sneem estuary, Irish Water maintains the wastewater treatment plant in the area has no operational issues.

At the last Kenmare Municipal District meeting, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick O'Connor Scarteen, said he was shown evidence of pollution in the estuary.

Advertisement

Irish Water says it has since carried out additional testing of the water quality in the area, assisted by the Marine Institute and Kerry County Council, following complaints from locals and elected representatives.

It says the additional testing found that there are no operational issues, or malfunctions in the Irish Water infrastructure in Sneem.

Irish Water's report on the testing says this area of the Southwest of Ireland is prone to transient algal blooms that occur naturally, which can be caused by wind movements and heavy rainfall.

Advertisement

It says sufficient numbers of phytoplankton species, which are a microscopic marine algae, in one area may cause temporary issues in water quality.

The report adds there are extensive phytoplankton movements around Bantry Bay, and the water is moving northerly to adjoining bay areas in the Southwest.

Irish Water says it believes, based on scientific evidence, that the water quality issues and complaints reported locally are caused by naturally occurring algal phenomena in the Sneem area, and not the Irish Water infrastructure.

Advertisement

 

Share this article
Advertisement

RadioKerry Newsletter

Sign up now to keep up to date with the latest news.

Processing your request...

You are subscribed now! please check your email to confirm your subscription.