Irish Water admits polluting rare mussel conservation area along Cork river

The freshwater pearl mussel is an important species now mainly found in Ireland and Scotland, but is on the verge of extinction

EPA inspector Patrick Chan said ammonia and orthophosphate from a wastewater treatment plant discharges into the Brogeen river, a protected conservation area and home to the freshwater pearl mussel. Photo: Collins Courts

Irish Water has pleaded guilty to contaminating the habitat of an endangered species of mussel in a conservation area along a Co. Cork river.

The utility was before Dublin District Court today in a prosecution brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).