Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, has called on Kerry County Council to cease its practice of discharging effluent from combined wastewater and sewage into rivers in the county.
Teachta Daly said that, last week, the Big River in Tralee was heavily discoloured.
“There were initial concerns about farm or slurry contamination, however it transpired that the cause was effluent from combined sewage and wastewater treatment being allowed to flow into the river,” he said.
Release of Effluent
“While, this time, the contamination of the river was due to the drain being blocked, the council actually facilitates the release of effluent into rivers.
The smell at the Big River can be disgusting at times and ‘Grey water’ has stained the soil at the side of the river and, in one fifty yard stretch of this river, there are five pipes which discharge various types of sewage and septic tank overflow. This is unacceptable,” Teachta Daly continued.
Otters in The Big River
“In general this used to be more widespread and the effect on wildlife and biodiversity has been incalculable. The rivers and lakes around the county are home to a number of species including Salmon, Freshwater Pearl Mussels, Lamprey and Otter. Otters have been spotted in the Big River in recent times and we must do all that we can to protect habitat to allow our wildlife to thrive.
“I am calling on the Council to review its Pollution Reduction Programme to determine where additional protections can be added to rivers such as the Big River where there is constant pressure from nearby wastewater systems.
More Treatment Plants
“The long-term answer is clearly more wastewater treatment plants and I have been calling for these across the county for some time now. I hear regularly from residents who are refused planning for a septic tank or bio-cycle unit, and they are also refused access to the local wastewater treatment plant as it is beyond capacity.
“Government must provide urgent, additional funding to ensure that we do not continue to destroy riparian vegetation and water quality that supports fish passage and spawning grounds,” Teachta Daly concluded.
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