Cork council to investigate after concerns boat and campervan owners are dumping human waste into sea

There have been reports of people disposing of human effluent into the sea in scenic areas of East and West Cork

Crosshaven-based Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley said she believed campervan and boat owners may be illegally discharging foul effluent into the sea and rivers. File picture: David Creedon

An investigation is to be carried out into the growing number of people living on boats and campervans around the Cork coast to see if they are legally disposing of effluent and other waste.

More people are turning to such alternative accommodation because they have been priced out of the conventional housing market.

Council officials are set to look into this “emerging issue” after increasing seaside pollution issues were raised by a councillor, who is concerned some boat people and campervan owners are not abiding by the law and appropriately disposing of effluent.

While there are other causes of waterborne pollution, such as nitrate run-off from land and leaking sewerage treatment plants, Crosshaven-based Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley said she believed campervan and boat owners may be illegally discharging foul effluent into the sea and rivers.

Council assistant chief executive Michael Lynch said the council would investigate and look at how other local authorities handle such matters.

He was responding after Ms Buckley put forward the motion seeking an investigation, which received unanimous support from her council colleagues.

There is only one civic-owned campervan/motorhome facility in the county, in Cobh.

Despite it having waste disposal facilities, it has been reported several rogue owners have dumped human effluent into the sea nearby, especially at the beach in Cuskinny.

Reports of similar incidents have also surfaced on a number of occasions at scenic spots in West Cork.

“This motion's really about protecting our waterways and addressing an issue that is becoming increasingly more important. The state of our rivers, harbours, and coastal waters has been in the media quite a lot recently, and understandably so. 

"We have seen concerns raised around water quality and pollution, and recently, we have also seen beaches lose Blue Flag status, including one of our own, Fountainstown Beach, which is simply not good enough,” Ms Buckley said.

It’s disappointing that in this day and age, people can still walk along beaches and coastlines and encounter sewage, scum and pollution entering the water. Nobody wants to see that. 

"It impacts the environment, tourism, public health and the enjoyment of our natural amenities,” she said.

Ms Buckley said there was also an onus on the council to ensure proper facilities and supports were available and regulations were fit for purpose.