Uisce Éireann is blamed for fish kill at Mayo beauty spot
A dead fish that washed up on the edge of Clare Lake in Claremorris.
Councillors in Claremorris have called for Uisce Eireann (formerly Irish Water) to be taken to task over a fish kill at a local lake.
Fine Gael Cllr Tom Connolly told last week’s municipal district meeting that he received correspondence from Claremorris Chamber of Commerce, highlighting images of "a significant number" of dead fish washed up on the edge of Clare Lake, which is accessible via McMahon Park. The Chamber said it has been lobbying Uisce Éireann to upgrade overflow sewerage tanks in the area, adding that recent heavy rainfall caused the situation to "dramatically deteriorate", leading to the fish kill.
“Our scenic beauty spot has been polluted by sewerage overspill into the lake. We need action against Irish Water,” said Cllr Connolly.
“We need Mayo County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop this once and for all.”
Independent Cllr Richard Finn, who is also on the Clare Lake committee, said there has been ongoing problems at the lake and very little has been done to "reprimand" Irish Water.
“If this was a farmer or a private individual, they’d be locked up or fined severely.
“It’s about time something was done, McMahon Park is one of the best in the country and the volunteers who look after it deserve to be appreciated.”
Cllr Damien Ryan said no conglomerate, no matter how big, is above being reprimanded in these situations.
“Irish Water isn't beyond being dealt with. The environment section of the Council should send a report to the EPA. Irish Water isn't beyond the law or regulation.
“They are the one body that has to be disbanded and passed back to the people.”
Cllr Michael Burke said this was a very serious matter but was not optimistic that Irish Water would deal with it promptly.
“With Irish Water, you can expect anything. They are all over the shop."
An Uisce Éireann spokesperson said they are aware of the situation at Clare Lake and have plans to address it.
"Uisce Éireann is carrying out investigations and putting plans in place to reduce overflows at Clare Lake in Claremorris," they said.
"We are committed to safeguarding public health and protecting the environment in all our activities and we will continue to proactively liaise with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency in relation to all these matters."
