Farm effluent pollutes river and kills fish

June 1990

POLLUTION which threatens Dundalk’s water supply and kills fish life along a four-mile stretch of a tributary of the Castletown River is caused by silage effluent.

It is traced to a farm in Northern Ireland, and the problem is dealt with before there are any issues with the town’s water.

The pollution is discovered along the Dungooley River, one of three tributaries of the Castletown from which water is taken to supply homes in Dundalk.

The effluent kills hundreds of fish on the section of river in question which is discovered to be frothy and dirty in appearance.

It destroys new stocks of trout released by Dundalk Brown Trout Anglers’ Association.

The club has spent £2,000 this year in re-stocking local rivers.

Indeed, anglers’ stocks were also decimated by pollution in 1989.

Secretary John Clarke appeals to farmers in particular to be careful when siting silage pits and disposing of pig slurry and dead animals during the present period of drought.

‘Please think twice, if not for the sake of the fish and animals that live in and by the rivers, then for the town’s water supply,’ he adds.

Authorities on both sides of the border co-operate in dealing with the emergency which is revolved the day after coming to light.

It is believed the pollution takes place a few days earlier in the week.

Dundalk urban district council treats the water supply with activated carbon to counteract any potential adverse taste or smell which might result.

However, there are some complaints about the quality of water.

Meanwhile, present water rationing between 9pm and 7am will continue unless there are heavy rainfalls.