Cooper's Comments 1

It is now an undeniable fact that the once mighty river Shannon is now a shadow of its former self. Long term neglect by the river's so called controllers has allowed it to become a carrier of sewage and both industrial and farming waste. Phosphate levels are in some cases several hundred times the accepted level. Iron content at times reaches astronomic corporations. One of the society's water analysis reports showed iron levels in Lough Forbes at 8,900 ppm when the ceiling level should be no more than 200ppm. A worrying fact in this case was that the samples were taken less than 100m from where Longford's drinking supply is abstracted. I wonder what the long term effect of huge intakes of iron and phosphate may have on the human body.

Massive amounts of raw sewage can be seen on a regular basis pouring into the river at Carrick, on one occasion making headline news in the Leitrim Observer (Wed 23rd Aug 2000). Effluent can be seen on a regular basis entering the water course from a large hotel further downstream. All of this being carried on the current into Lough Forbes. Maybe the water we drink has also been the carrier at some stage of raw human effluent.

A recent meeting with Eamon Cusack, head of the fisheries, revealed some interesting facts. We were informed that in fact the fisheries have no control over the water quality whatsoever. This appears to be true, but what a contradiction in terms. It appears water quality is down to local councils. Think about it....local councils being a law unto themselves continue to allow water quality to decline resulting in the limited amount of fish stocks we now have to disappear altogether. Without fish what do the fisheries board then do for a living.

What I have written is food for thought. My next posting will once again broach the subject of pollution and what this society believes needs to be urgently done.

We are of the firm opinion that the situation is not irreversible, providing action is taken now.

Watch this space.......

Geoff Cooper
P.R.O.

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