Sewage and algae ‘threaten top beaches’

THE twin threat of raw untreated sewage and mounting swathes of sea algae are slowly destroying top beaches in West Cork.

Village communities surrounding Courtmacsherry Bay insisted they cannot wait five years, or more, for proper sewage treatment plants to reduce pollution in the estuary.

Furious locals warned shoreline amenities are becoming no-go areas. A nauseating stench, they claim, continues to keep away locals and visitors from four beaches within the tidal harbour.

Cork County Council’s western division has acknowledged the urgency of treatment plants in the Timoleague and Courtmacsherry areas.

Acting senior engineer Declan Groarke said a proposed €2.3m sewage treatment project was included in the council’s current water services investment programme, which runs until 2005. The scheme, he said, should be well advanced at the planning stage next year.

Mr Groarke conceded that, due to various preliminary procedures, it was not possible to put a timescale on a likely completion date.

An ad-hoc group is spearheading a campaign.

West Cork TD Jim O’Keeffe said the county council and the Government should give the proposed scheme top priority.

Beaches such as Harbour View, Coolmaine, Broad Strand and Courtmacsherry are mainly affected.