Blackwater upgrade to help protect pearl mussel in Cork

The endangered freshwater pearl mussel is Ireland’s longest living animal, living for up to 140 years. Picture: From an ecofact.ie survey of the freshwater pearl mussel.

Irish Water has unveiled plans to upgrade sewerage treatment systems along the Blackwater Valley in Co Cork, once again facilitating property development which has been stalled due to safeguards introduced to protect the endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel.

Planning permissions for housing, industrial, and agricultural development have been put on hold in many locations in the region because of inadequate capacity or substandard treatment systems.