Have your say on protecting this precious resource

Have your say on protecting this precious resource

From river police to unsatisfactory sewage systems, it’s time your voice was heard.

Having clean water can provide countless benefits for the community, benefits that reach far beyond the farm gate.

From fishing, to boating, to swimming, proper care of waterways can help support local economies, which in turn can help create an environment for local jobs. We all win.

Also, fresh clean water has obvious positive benefits for health and well-being.

At the LAWCO meeting in Macroom, many issues were highlighted by those in attendance during a question and answer session which took place towards the end of the night.

One speaker brought up the issue of an inadequate sewage system in a neighbouring village. He told the meeting planning permission was granted years ago for a new treatment facility, but the problem remained, the job has yet to be done.

Another speaker, this time on an agricultural theme, emphasised the importance of all farmers who work adjacent to waterways, to be conscious of where they work.

“It’s no good having one farmer in full compliance with every rule and regulation with regards to water pollution, only to have his neighbour upstream or downstream working in total ignorance of the river and doing whatever he damn well likes.”

A suggestion was made for employment of “river police.” “River police should be considered,” one speaker said. “It’s pointless reporting a river pollution issue on a Sunday evening, only to have to wait until Monday morning before an inspector arrives. When the river or stream returns to its natural state, the evidence is gone.

“We need a quicker response when it comes to protection of water”

If you too would like to submit a proposal on an issue relating to the maintenance and upkeep of water, now is your opportunity.

Public meetings to discuss your local waters in the context of the draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018–2021 will be held over the coming weeks in the following locations (all 7.30pm):

n Killorglin Library, Co Kerry, tonight, June 1, 7.30pm

n Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire, Wednesday, June 7

n Family Resource Centre, Listowel, Thursday, June 8

n Carnegie Arts Centre, Kenmare, Tuesday, June 13

n Tipperary Excel Centre, Tipperary Town, Tuesday, June 13

n Munster Arms, Bandon, Wednesday June 14

n Clonmel Park Hotel, Wednesday June 14

n Benners Hotel, Dingle, Thursday, June 15

n Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway, Tuesday, June 20

n Clonakilty Hotel, Clonakilty Tuesday, June 27

n Tirry Community Centre, Fethard, Co Tipperary, Tuesday, June 27

n West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen, Thursday June 29.

At these meetings, discussions will include topics such as heritage, water quality, angling, biodiversity, agriculture, recreational use and tourism.