Fisheries body wants sewage point moved from Killarney lake

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is seeking to have a sewage outfall point in Killarney, Co Kerry, relocated downriver of one of the town’s famous lakes.

The IFI said it is concerned about discharges from the town’s sewage treatment plant flowing into Lough Lein.

It claimed the plant and storm water drainage system for Killarney continues to be a “major contributor” to nutrients in the lake which for decades have been causing pollution in Lough Lein.

In a submission to a new development plan for Killarney, the IFI said conditions in Lough Lein are not improving and require significant funding to achieve effective management of waste waters in the area.

It said an objective of the plan should be to upgrade the treatment capacity of the plant; to exclude surface water from the foul drainage system; and to connect all houses in non-sewer areas of Killarney to the plant.

It also proposes that the outfall point from the plant should be moved to a point downstream in the River Laune and, ultimately, tidal waters.

IFI paid tribute to the Killarney tourism industry for adopting practices to reduce nutrient inputs to Lough Lein, but called for an updated awareness campaign to provide more information on steps that could be taken.

Local restaurants and hotels have, for instance, been limiting the use of detergents and other washing materials that could be damaging to the lakes.

IFI also called for a review of a management plant for the Flesk Valley which drains into the lakes. Furthermore, it said waterways in and around Killarney should be a part of amenity and leisure development proposals for the town.

“This would be a major asset for the town itself and help to encourage awareness of the town’s diverse ecology, wildlife, and aquatic habitat,” the submission suggested.

Killarney Town Council manager John Breen said the Flesk Valley plan and the impact of development would be reviewed and water objectives would be considered in the plan.

Regarding the working of the treatment plant, he said it had adequate capacity and there was a continuing policy to separate surface water from waste water systems.

Suggestions from the IFI submission are to be considered by the council.