Three North Tipp rivers have deteriorated badly over last decade

THREE much-loved rivers in North Tipperary have deteriorated badly during the last decade.
The Carrig, Lorrha and Ballyfinboy rivers are steadily declining in quality due to an excess of phosphates in the system.
Phosphate pollution in rivers causes eutrophication, an overgrowth of algae and aquatic plants from excess nutrients, leading to murky water, blocked sunlight, and oxygen depletion leading to a reduction in fish numbers, invertebrates and microorganisms.
Cllr Michael O'Meara, who is a farmer in the Lorrha area, told the January meeting of Nenagh Municipal District that since the Ukraine war broke out, Protected Urea has become more difficult for farmers to get and has become more costly. Protected Urea is an efficient and more environmentally friendly fertiliser.
“Scientists have carried out water quality tests in the Carrig, Lorrha and Ballyfinboy Rivers,” Cllr O'Meara remarked, “and the results show a significant decline in invertebrates and microorganisms.”
The Councillor pointed out that the soil type in much of the Lower Ormond region does not help the environmental cause. “They are dark soils in our region and they are very poor at retaining phosphate, which means a greater run-off of phosphates into the three rivers. The farmers in the region are not doing anything different to the farmers in other regions. A lot of farmers in our area are diligent and carry out soil tests. They want to improve the environment. One way we could help them is by making Protected Urea more readily available and cheaper.”
The Councillor added that all farms are subject to strict operational directives and farm inspections. “Farmers are operating under a strict set of rules governing our operations, including such things as the run-off from farm yards and farm sheds.”
He said it has been depressing to see the water quality decline in these three rivers, and indeed throughout many rivers in Tipperary, over the last decade. “This is a serious problem and the powers that be need to work hard to reverse the decline. A subsidy for Protected Urea would be a good start. The vast majority of farmers will work with you to improve things, but the system needs to be more intelligent and more fair.”
He added that the three rivers flow into the Shannon. “Ironically, while the fish numbers in the rivers are declining, what I am hearing on the ground is that fish numbers are increasing in Lough Derg.”

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