Big decline in Tipperary's water quality over last decade

A report published by LAWPRO, the Local Authority Waters Programme, is pointing out that there has been a major decline in Tipperary's water over the last decade.

A LAWPRO representative showed the councillors of Nenagh Municipal District two maps outlining the significant decline in water quality in North Tipperary's rivers during the last ten years.

She said Irish Water, the OPW, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and the Local Authorities come together regularly to discuss water issues.

She said clean water is very important because it supports a wide range of sectors, industries and our wellbeing.

She told the councillors the good news that funding of €9,043 is being given this year to Ballinderry Development Association for “River Development Phase Two: River and Habitat Enhancement Works, Mousehouse Bridge towards Lough Derg.”

Funding of €3,350 is also being given towards the Habitat Improvement and Maintenance of Cabragh Wetlands Trust just south of Thurles.

She outlined the LAWPRO Catchment Support Fund 2024: Funding ranges from 500 Euros to 5,000 Euros and up to 40,000 Euros for groups.

She said the South East Regional Operational Committee met in Tipperary Town and showcased the local River Ara Walk and its incorporation of nature-based solutions. The Nenagh MD Councillors were shown a picture of a River Ara section where trees have been allowed to grow in the river, with their roots in the river bed which improves biodiversity.

The Farming for Water EIP (European Innovation Project) – a 60 million Euros national project – was briefly mentioned. The EIP is targeting up to 15,000 farmers nationally. It offers payments for interventions by farmers which will protect and restore water quality. The partners in the EIP are LAWPRO, Teagasc and Dairy Industry Ireland.

“Who is monitoring the pipes running into rivers?” Cllr Seamus Morris asked the LAWPRO representative. “Fishermen are telling me of problems with pipes. In some instances raw sewage is being pumped into rivers. This is a major problem.

"THMs, Trihalomethanes, are at a dangerously high level in a number of rivers in North Tipperary. THMS can cause Cancer.

“Do we have any contact with Uisce Éireann? It seems they can do what they want.” The councillor said he didn't think the State is serious enough about cleaning our watercourses.

“We are now talking about a very serious area,” commented Cllr Michael O'Meara, “the area of water quality. There is not one mention of Irish Water in this LAWPRO report today. And yet Irish Water has a huge part to play in the water quality of our county.

“Two years ago, in March 2022, the pumping station on the Little Brosna River in Riverstown was pumping out raw sewage. When I raised the issue at the time, I was told that the levels were so small that it was not a problem. I didn't accept that at the time and I demanded that something be done, which it was. During periods of very heavy rain the pumping station is still liable to very occasionally emit a small bit of sewage.

“As a farmer myself, I know that if I was pumping out raw sewage into a river I would be closed down. It is as if there are very strict, draconian laws for farmers, whereas local authorities or Irish Water aren't brought to task at all.

“The quality of the water in the rivers and streams in Tipperary has deteriorated hugely in the last decade. We are all putting our heads in the sand here. Tipperary County Council has a huge part to play in all of this.

“I welcome the money for Ballinderry. They have done a huge amount of great work out there.

“I think the EIP is a good scheme. Farmers are very adaptable if the incentives are good enough."

Cllr John Carroll pointed out that the Nenagh River has “huge potential for tourism. The Kilmastulla River badly needs removal of vegetation and the freeing up of the river's flow.” He added that Tipperary is blessed with a lot of rivers and streams, "but I would like to see a greater interaction between these rivers / streams and local people.”

Cllr Joe Hannigan commented that the success of the Ballinderry project was due to the spirit of volunteerism in the local community. “The walk along the Ballyfinboy River there is a great credit to everyone. I would like to see something similar happening in other sections of the Ballyfinboy River, such as in Cloughjordan and Borrisokane. With this in mind, I tried to engage with some of the landowners alongside the river but unfortunately they had a reluctance to get involved.

“Our Wastewater Treatment Plants are either at capacity or near capacity. What engagement is there between LAWPRO and Irish Water? The Cloughjordan Sewage Treatment Plant is at capacity which means that no houses can be built in the area. What stick does LAWPRO have with Irish Water?”

Cllr Hughie McGrath said they are developing the Nenagh River walk. “The section of the walk at St John's Well is a jewel,” he remarked. “St John's Well is a very calm, peaceful place along the walk. I would like to see it enhanced.”

Cllr Ger Darcy said the Ballinderry Group did fantastic work. He said the rivers have to be managed or else they will flood. “I think the Farming for Water EIP scheme is an excellent scheme. If you work positively with farmers there is no doubt that a lot of excellent work can be done.”

Cllr Michael O'Meara spoke about the flooding problems on The Shannon Callows and the Little Brosna Callows. “It's a vast amount of land and it is constantly flooding winter and summer. Historically it didn't flood during the summer which meant landowners could cut hay. That's changed now. The curlews and corncrakes are also gone from the area because of the floods. Compensatory funding is being offered to farmers whose land is being flooded. They are being compensated by the Department of Agriculture who use satellite imagery to decide which land has been flooded. Unfortunately it is not working as well as it should. Farmers are very disgruntled and aggrieved. Some farmers are getting the compensatory funding from the Department but others are not. The finger is being pointed at the Department because their system is wrong. There is a huge amount of disquiet in my area because of this.”

Cllr Rocky McGrath spoke about a water flooding problem in Silvermine Village.

“We would like to see Irish Water working faster tackling sewage discharges such as in Riverstown,” said the LAWPRO representative. “Pumping Stations like the one in Riverstown should not overflow at all.

“The cleaner our rivers are the less likely you will have THMs.

“The Ballinderry group has done a huge amount of work. It is a great credit to them. We do recognise the excellent contribution which a small number of people can make in communities. Hats off to them. They are brilliant and have an impressive level of volunteerism. We would also like to develop walks along the Ballyfinboy River in the Cloughjordan and Borrisokane areas.”

Cllr Morris pointed out that in Ireland the acceptable level of THMs is 100. In the US it is 80. There's a river in the Silvermines region which has a reading of 150. “People are very concerned about this. In Toomevara people are very concerned because of the significant percentage of people suffering from cancer. A survey carried out on the local river system in the Toomevara area found a high level of THMs.”