Italian lake offers a lesson in cleanliness

MY wife and I returned recently from Italy, where we stayed on the shores of Lake Orta. It is a small lake perhaps of a size similar to Lough Lein in Killarney.

While Orta is a small place, there are many restaurants and hotels on the lake shore, and lots of villas and houses both close to the shore and in the surrounding hills.

The lake water was crystal clear and there was much boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports going on.

In contrast, the Killarney lakes are now so polluted that notices warn visitors not to paddle and on no account to let pets swim in or drink the water.

Apart from the fact that this is a disastrous image for a ‘green isle’ to present to the world, how can the Italians achieve what they have but we can’t?

KC Condon

Blackrock Rd

Cork