Uisce Éireann fined €3,000 for pollution of Sligo river - IFI
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has welcomed a conviction against Uisce Éireann following a wastewater treatment plant discharge into a salmon and trout spawning habitat in Co. Sligo.
Effluent from the Curry wastewater treatment plant in Sligo entered the Owengarve River, which forms part of the River Moy Special Area of Conservation (SAC), IFI said.
Uisce Éireann was found to have committed "water pollution breaches", and must pay a fine of €3,000, and was ordered to pay costs and expenses of €3,374 to IFI, according to the organisation.
Commenting after the verdict, IFI’s western director (Ballina), Mary Walsh said: “IFI welcomes the outcome of this case. This poorly treated sewage discharge into the Owengarve River should never have happened.
“The river provides a pristine spawning and nursery habitat for wild Atlantic salmon and brown trout. The river structure and gravel river bed substrate is perfect for fish spawning.”
Evidence presented by IFI included samples taken from the river, which showed a "significantly negative impact on water quality". IFI staff had also noted a "foul-smelling odour and discolouration of effluent" from the plant into the river.
"At the case, Uisce Éireann outlined mitigation measures that have been put in place since the discharge, including increased desludging, operator training, and the installation of an additional aerator," according to IFI.
Walsh said that while these mitigation measures are "very welcome", IFI will continue to monitor the Owengarve River because of its "sensitivity and importance to vulnerable fish populations".
The pollution incident occurred on September 6, 2023. The case concluded on September 25, 2024, at Tubbercurry District Court, Co. Sligo, according to IFI.
