Major Mayo lake cannot be allowed to become a 'cess pool'
Concerns remain about the future of Lough Carra.
The risk posed to Lough Carra was brought into sharp focus at a recent public meeting.
Studies have raised concerns about elevated ammonia and phosphorous levels in certain areas of the lake and local councillor Al McDonnell has long highlighted his fears for its future.
Cllr McDonnell told a meeting of Mayo Co Council’s Economic and Enterprise Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that a recent public meeting about Lough Carra attracted significant local attendance including from the farming community. A presentation from An Taisce detailed the crisis which occurred at Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland.
Cllr McDonnell said the presentation "raised eyebrows" as the Ulster lake is now effectively considered "dead".
“Unrecoverable, gone, finished,” said Cllr McDonnell.
The presentation noted a nationwide decline in water quality and Cllr McDonnell said Lough Carra cannot be allowed to deteriorate further.
“The sources primarily are nitrate run-off and phosphate run-off,” he stated.
Cllr McDonnell said Lough Carra runs exclusively into Lough Mask, which is a major source of drinking water in Mayo.
“Every cup of water that is consumed in this town (Castlebar) comes from Lough Mask. If Lough Carra turns into a cess pool there is a risk to Lough Mask,” he commented.
The Lough Carra Catchment Association (LCCA) continues to fiercely defend the waters of Lough Carra and founded the EU-funded Lough Carra LIFE project which aims to halt its decline.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
