Fifth of Co Cork waterways may be polluted, report claims

Around a fifth of all rivers and streams in Co Cork may be polluted, according to a report released by the Environment Directorate of Cork County Council.

There are 492 rivers and streams in the county and 94 of these have been identified as being of “less than satisfactory quality”, under the terms of the South Western River Basin District Management Plan.

According to Sharon Corcoran, head of the Environment Directorate, a review showed that 57 of the 94 rivers and streams may have been “impacted by agricultural activity”.