Donal Hickey: Solution needed to combat worrying trend of river pollution

There's a worrying trend in the loss of our highest quality river sites and an increase in poor quality sites

Donal Hickey: "Our waterways have been treated scandalously — little better than sewers in many cases. Industries were often located near rivers; while raw sewage continues to flow into some rivers in 2025. Getting people to respect waterways continues to be a challenge."

The prolonged dry spell has underlined the already perilous state of our many rivers and lakes which have been left with very low water levels.

Risks of even more pollution have arisen because of the reduced capacity to dilute nutrients and chemicals entering water, also making it more dangerous for humans in contact with bathing water, or drinking water. Pollution, and a drop in oxygen levels, can also cause fish kills.

Anglers report river water levels to be exceptionally shallow for May. A quick glance at the slow-flowing water reveals large amounts of stones exposed in riverbeds.[

💧 Clare Local Development Company’s Water Biodiversity Training Series kicks off tomorrow in Ennistymon! 🐟

🐟 Hands-on workshops exploring local waterways facilitated by @CorkNatNetwork trainers.

🚨 It's free but registration is essential: https://t.co/6XLFkb9s0P @ClareCoCo pic.twitter.com/MNbS3fTUl4

— Local Authority Waters Programme (@WatersProgramme) May 9, 2025

Ireland has more than 73,000 kilometres of river channels. Three-quarters of these channels are very small streams that typically flow into larger rivers.

Traditionally, our waterways have been treated scandalously — little better than sewers in many cases. Industries were often located near rivers; while raw sewage continues to flow into some rivers in 2025. Getting people to respect waterways continues to be a challenge.

Amazingly, river water quality in Ireland compares favourably to that in Europe, though we continue to see a worrying trend in the loss of our highest quality river sites and an increase in poor quality sites.

In contrast to Britain, where only 15% of waterways in some areas are reported to be of good quality, half of our monitored locations are rated as being of ‘good’ and ‘high’ ecological status. Of the remaining half, almost one-fifth are classed ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ and are severely polluted.

The EPA says excess nutrients cause the most ecological problems in Irish rivers. The quality of our most polluted rivers has improved where there has been better urban waste water treatment, and a reduction in nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen, from agricultural lands.

For almost 30 years, the Rivers Trust has been doing outstanding work, both here and in Britain, in observing and creating awareness of the state of waterways. Its Big River Watch empowers people to take an active role in protecting local rivers and providing valuable data for conservation efforts.

Still time to register for our young people's discussions about water on 26th June. https://t.co/mIDVQnwpfJ

— The Water Forum - An Fóram Uisce (@AnForamUisce) May 7, 2025

The Trust has around 15 branches in Ireland, including some in Cork, covering the Lee and Cork Harbour area, the Bandon and Blackwater river catchments.

It engages with local residents, farmers and others in practical work like clearing invasive species from riverbanks and flood management. For instance, 80% of invasive hogweed has been eradicated from a catchment of the River Maigue, in County Limerick.

Says Barry McLaughlin, Donegal-based project manager with the Trust: “Whether through direct observation, photography, or trail cameras, anyone can contribute to monitoring their local river. The more eyes on our waterways, the better we can protect them."