Council to propose solar-powered, water quality monitoring systems in River Blackwater
Such systems can provide real-time data on pollution incidents.
A proposal is to be made by Cork County Council to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for a pilot programme to place solar-powered water quality monitoring systems in the River Blackwater.
Such devices can provide real time data on pollution incidents.
Councillors have expressed anger that, weeks on from a chemical leak in the river, which led to the deaths of an estimated 40,000 fish, nobody has yet been deemed responsible.
In the meantime, they want to see better monitoring in the river and unanimously backed a motion from Mallow-based Labour councillor Ronan Sheehan.
He said the devices, known as sondes and widely used in other European countries and in Britain, are solar-powered, anchor in the river, and continually measure oxygen levels, temperature, nitrate levels, PH levels, turbidity, and more.
Mr Sheehan said the council must take “a firm and leading role” in protecting rivers like the Blackwater.
He said that the devices can send information to a monitoring base every few minutes which would enable the rapid identification of pollution incidents and make it easier to pinpoint where the primary source was.
“The Sondes aren’t experimental. They are proven tools of modern environmental monitoring.
"A number of Sondes strategically placed along the river could be a powerful model for smart, transparent water management,” he said.
He also suggested the local authority carry out a full review of all current discharge licenses into the river.
“The fish kill caused confusion and no rapid response. We simply can’t allow this to happen again,” Mr Sheehan said.
Fianna Fáil councillor Bernard Moynihan described the motion as “an excellent idea” and said the EU had designated the Blackwater as one of the six most ecologically important rivers in Europe.
It is classed as a Special Area of Conservation and contains the endangered freshwater pearl mussels, which are protected under EU legislation and rely on top quality water to survive.
Fianna Fáil councillor Gearóid Murphy described last month’s fish kill, believed to be the biggest in the State’s history, as “an ecological catastrophe”, adding that he would fully support the introduction of the monitoring measures as described by Mr Sheehan.
“It would be vital to prevent pollution and if it does happen it would help to then pinpoint source. A huge chunk of work has to be done by the council to protect our waterways," Social Democrats councillor Isobel Towse said.
“It is dreadful we’ve had no proper outcome [who is responsible] for this fish kill,” Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Hayes said.
Independent councillor Peter O’Donoghue said “big questions need to be asked of the EPA and IFI” which 24 hours after the kill initially blamed it on natural causes.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil councillor Neilus Cotter said angling clubs along the impacted river and its tributaries should be compensated by the Government, as should those who own fisheries and depend on visiting anglers for their livelihoods.
County council CEO Moira Murrell said she is always open to the use of such technology and agreed it would be a good proposal to bring to the EPA and IFI and other relevant agencies.
