Algae pollution could force tourists from famous Killarney lakes

ONE of the country’s top tourist destinations is facing a pollution crisis, as fears grow of an algal bloom on the world famous lakes of Killarney.

The biggest of the lakes has been severely hit by phosphorous pollution in the past and scientists fear it will strike again this summer. For the first time in six years, Lough Leane could develop a highly toxic algal bloom, Kerry County Council warned yesterday.

Should the situation escalate, it is feared that visitors will have to stay away from lakeshore to avoid poisoning.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists were warned about the deadly pollution when the algal bloom last struck in 1997.

Senior executive chemist with Kerry County Council David Lenihan said: “If the level of phosphorous in the lake increases above a critical limit and, given warm and wet weather conditions, there is a very real risk of algal blooms.”

As much as 30 tonnes of phosphorous leak into Lough Leane each year. Twenty tonnes is enough to create the bloom.

Environmentalists have pleaded for years with farmers, householders, and the tourism industry to end the contamination of the lake.

A three-year study pinpointed poor storage and spreading of slurry near Lough Leane as the main reason for the phosphorous menace.

But hotels and bed-and-breakfasts that discard waste fats and oils into the area’s sewerage system also share the blame, scientists believe. Experts have urged the holiday trade to use phosphate-free detergents and farmers to keep a closer eye on slurry outlets.

It could cost €15m to clean the lake and millions more will have to be invested to improve farm practices.

Farmers want the Department of Agriculture to come up with funding and there have been calls for a VAT cut on phosphate-free detergents.

Killarney Fianna Fáil councillor Brian O’Leary yesterday called on the Department of Agriculture to pay farmers who improve slurry units.

“This has to be done and what we’re talking about is €100,000 a farmer. If this was carried out, it would ease worries about the lake,” he said.

Sewerage schemes in Kilcummin and Barradubh, costing €1m, are also needed to end the threat, he said.