Kilkenny’s rivers among most polluted in country: damning report
The rivers running through and border county Kilkenny are among the most polluted in the country, a new report has found.
Nitrogen levels in the Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow are now at a level that can “put human health at risk”, according to the latest report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the quality of Irish water.
The EPA report found intensive farming and wastewater are to blame for the rise in nitrogen and phosphorus levels in our rivers. And the State environment agency says “urgent action” is required to reverse the trend.
The EPA fears Ireland could lose its excellent water quality if issues are not addressed soon. It also has serious concerns for the health of our rivers and their ecosystems.
The report found: “Recent analysis by the EPA shows that up to 85% of nitrogen in rivers in some catchments in the south and south-east come from agriculture.
“Thirteen have elevated nitrogen concentrations and are of concern.”
The EPA highlighted the Suir, Nore, Barrow and Slaney rivers as well as the Bandon, Lee and Munster Blackwater where “urgent action” is required to reduce pollution.
