asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement on the steps being taken regarding the pollution of the Suir river and its tributaries by raw sewage and by industrial and agricultural effluents; and if he will indicate in particular the action being taken on this very serious problem by the local authorities concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Suir River Pollution.
137.
I understand that proposals for the provision or improvement of treatment works are being prepared in respect of a number of towns but are at a preliminary stage.
The problem of agricultural effluents has already been the subject of considerable study by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and An Foras Talúntais. This aspect of water pollution is at present the subject of consultation between my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and it also comes within the terms of reference of the inter-departmental working group on air and water pollution which I established last year, as does the question of pollution by industrial effluents. This group are concerned with an overall assessment of the scale of the water pollution problem and the likely cost of remedial action.
The survey of water resources conducted by An Foras Forbartha includes the River Suir and its tributaries, the Clodiagh and the Ara. Preliminary results have already been conveyed to the county engineers and a full report on chemical and biological analyses covering four seasons is shortly expected. This should assist the local authorities to formulate positive proposals and take any other remedial action open to them.