Tough decisions on water quality, warns manager

HARD decisions may have to be made to improve water quality in the south-west, Cork county manager Martin Riordan said yesterday.

While there has been a slight improvement in the overall condition of water after years of deterioration, there are concerns about loss of quality in areas which had formerly been good.

Some of the issues are highlighted in a report, Water Matters, published jointly by all local authorities in the south western river basin district.

Arising from the report, the public and interested bodies, including anglers, are being urged to take part in a consultation process. At the end of the process, it is hoped to come up with a plan that will bring all natural waters up to at least good quality.

The south-western basin includes the rivers, lakes, groundwaters and coastal waters of the Blackwater, Lee, Bandon, Maine and Laune catchments and all the small rivers and streams flowing into the sea from Youghal Bay to Dingle Bay.

It also includes coastal waters out to one nautical mile.

All of Cork city, most of Co Cork, two-thirds of Kerry and smaller areas of Waterford, Limerick and south Tipperary are within the basin.

Speaking at the launch of the project, Patrick Buckley, chairman of the South-Western River Basin District Advisory Council, said the ordinary person was being a chance to get involved in improving the quality of our natural waters.

He encouraged members of the public to read the report and to make comments. The consultation period will last until December 22 next.

Mr Riordan said the report was a step in the right direction, but that the real test would be the carrying out of the works necessary to improve our waters.

He said hard decisions may have to be made and that public involvement in reaching these was necessary.

Project co-ordinator Sean O Breasail, of Cork County Council, said that, following public consultation, they would be recommending action to deal with problem areas.

The Water Matters report is available from the participating local authorities libraries throughout the river basin district.