Phosphates threaten algae bloom on lake

ALGAE bloom could reappear on one of the country’s most famous lakes this summer, given the right weather conditions.

Picturesque Lough Lein, in Killarney, County Kerry, has suffered pollution since the 1970s, but the last time it experienced a major bloom was in 1997.

However, senior environmental engineer with Kerry County Council Fergus Dillon has denied a recent report that phosphate levels were low this year:

“That report was erroneous. In actual fact, phosphate levels are still high, but lower than this time last year.”

He told councillors in Killarney that, if weather conditions were calm and warm, the bloom could again appear.

“The message needs to go out that the amount of phosphates entering the lake has to be reduced. People could use phosphate-free detergents and farmers need to be more aware of the need to tidy up their farmyard management practices,” Mr Dillon emphasised.

He said that analysis for 2003, to date, showed that water quality in Lough Lein was satisfactory and the situation was being continually monitored to identify any changes.

The cost of cleaning up Lough Lein (centrepiece of Killarney’s tourist attractions) has been estimated at around 15m. Importantly, it has also been reckoned that necessary changes in farming practices in the lake’s catchment will cost 4m.

Councillor Brian O’Leary, Killarney, said he was disappointed there was still no indication that funding was coming from the Department of Agriculture to enable farmers carry out such work:

“Without pollution aid grants, part of the bye-laws to save the lake can’t be implemented. Funding is urgently needed.”

Councillor Michael Gleeson called on the Government to reduce VAT on phosphate-free detergents as an incentive to people to buy such detergents.

“I also believe that, if we’re serious about saving Lough Lein, the Government will have to provide money for essential sewerage schemes in the lake’s catchment,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the final report from a task force set to make recommendations for the future management of Lough Lein is due to be published in September.