Inland Fisheries Ireland are said to be investigating concerns regarding Waterford Council's chlorination of streams which flow into Dunmore East.
According to the Examiner, Coastwatch has filed a report on the issue with the Environmental Protection Agency. They claim that Waterford Council are in breach of Section 3 of the 1977 Water Pollution Act.
Coastwatch Ireland claims that children and stream life are at risk, due to the use of sodium hypochlorite to disinfect water flowing into the designated bathing area. This method is used to kill faecal microbes.
According to a spokesperson for the group, there are no warnings to the public regarding the matter. Coastwatch claim that the water quality in the two streams is poor and not dependable, and they allege that it has been a source of problem for many decades.
However, a statement from Waterford City and County Council says that they dispute Coastwatch Ireland's claim that it is in breach of the Water Pollution Act.
“Two streams flowing into Dunmore East bathing area are chlorinated during the summer bathing season, and have been for a number of years. This is due to diffuse and unidentified point source pollution sources upstream of the beach. The stream is chlorinated upstream of the culvert to the beach, primarily because children tend to play in the stream despite notices being erected advising adults / parents that it is unsafe to do so. The purpose of the chlorination plant is primarily to protect human health from the impact of diffuse pollution sources further upstream."
Inland Fisheries Ireland say they have been in contact with the EPA on the chlorination matter and they are set to investigate the issue immediately.
For the latest in Waterford, click here.
