Donal Hickey: Local dismay over delays to Killarney sewage plant works

Concerns are growing as essential work to upgrade the town’s underperforming sewage treatment plant will not now take place before 2030

A visitor looks out on Lough Leane, Killarney, Co Kerry, amid local concern over efforts being made to tackle a major source of pollution entering the lake. Picture: Denis Scannell

Concerns are growing about delays in tackling an important source of pollution in one of the country’s top tourist and environmental attractions, Killarney Lakes.

Essential work to upgrade the town’s underperforming sewage treatment plant will not take place before 2030, according to Minister for Local Government and Heritage James Browne.

Thousands of visitors now being captivated by the beauty of the lakes during the August peak season may be blissfully unaware of the situation — except those who take time to read signs placed along the shoreline by Kerry County Council.

The signs warn people to avoid contact with an ‘algal bloom or dark scum’ which may appear in the water and to keep dogs away from it.

Amid fears that the situation is not being treated with sufficient urgency, comparisons are already being drawn with the situation in Lough Neagh, one of the country’s most polluted lakes, where eel fishing has been cancelled and a bloom of toxic algae has appeared.

Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue said: “If it [Lough Neagh] happens here, it would have catastrophic consequences for every part of life in our town and from an environmental perspective.’’

Environmentalists have, for decades, been highlighting the state of the largest of Killarney’s lakes, Lough Leane, into which the treatment plant discharges. Following an algal bloom in the lake in 1997, a major campaign for necessary action took place locally.   

A fisherman pictured trawling then balmy waters for salmon on Lough Leane, Killarney. Picture: Don MacMonagle

The plant was upgraded subsequently, but blooms have been regularly appearing in warm conditions during the past ten years. Other sources of pollution include run-off from farming, forestry and septic tanks.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports Lough Leane is not meeting its Water Framework Directive objectives because the condition of the fish populations is not as it should be. “Excess nutrients from the poorly performing Killarney wastewater treatment plant is a contributing factor,’’ the EPA points out.

Replying to a question from Kerry TD Michael Cahill, Minister Browne said the EPA was continuing to investigate the situation and had sought clear plans and timeframes from Uisce Éireann (UE) regarding the plant and discharges. The plant is also on the Priority Areas List.

He said UÉ is currently assessing the long-term needs of Killarney and to improve performance in line with updated environmental legislation. However, any long-term upgrade project would not be completed before 2029.

The hope now is that work will be completed in the 2030/’34 investment cycle.

Deputy Cahill voiced deep disappointment with the extended timeline and called for work in the meantime to help remedy a very serious situation. “Protecting the lakes is essential for local biodiversity and tourism,’’ he said.