Stench caused by algae destroying beach areas

A MAJOR push is on to get rid of a stench which virtually destroyed a beauty spot last summer and which is a constant cause of upset to people living near the village of Kilbrittain.

Algae, which are being nourished by nitrates and phosphates used in fertilisers, are being blamed for the “nightmare” at Coolmaine and Harbour View beaches.

Intensive farming and the lack of properly-equipped sewerage plants in the general area are to be addressed by county council officials in an effort to restore the beaches to their natural beauty.

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) said he’d been inundated with calls on the issue from day trippers and locals alike.

“The contamination of the beaches comes from huge quantities of algae washed out from rivers. It has absolutely ruined everybody’s summer. It’s a beautiful scenic area. We have to find some solution. There’s a real stench,” he said.

Cllr Alan Coleman (FF) said it was vital that construction of sewage treatment plants in the area be speeded up. “We have to fast-track them because the area is so dependent on tourism,” he said.

Cllr Veronica Neville (FG) said even at this time of year “the smell would stop you in your tracks”.

She said an amenity was being lost and locals were having to put up with it on a daily basis.

Cllr Murphy added that a major sewage treatment facility in Clonakilty didn’t have a phosphate extractor, and this wasn’t helping the situation either.

County engineer Ned Flynn said a new sewerage scheme was to get underway in Kilbrittain, along with others schemes near the coastline.

Meanwhile, he revealed that more than 440 farms had been visited in an attempt to cut down on over use and discharge of fertilisers, and in some cases warning notices had been issued to farmers.