CSO: level of unpolluted river water drops 7.3%

THE percentage of unpolluted river water nationwide was 7.3% less in 2005 than it was in 1987, according to Central Statistics Office figures.

In the late 1980s the percentage of unpolluted water was 77.3%.

It deteriorated rapidly and by 1997 the amount of unpolluted water had dropped to just 67%. The latest figures show that in 2005, 70.2% of river water is unpolluted.