Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Oct 1994

Vol. 446 No. 3

Written Answers. - County Mayo Lakes.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

208 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has satisfied himself that the phosphate loadings as ascertained in a recent Lough Carra study can be reduced to an acceptable level to allow restoration of the water and marine quality to an acceptable level; and the measures, if any, he can implement to achieve this. [2122/94]

Séamus Hughes

Question:

209 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has satisfied himself with the water quality in Lough Mask and Lough Carra having regard to the contents of a recent Greenpeace report; if he will make a statement on the matter outlining the measures that can be taken to improve the water and marine quality. - [2123/94]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Mr. Browne,

Wexford): I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.

The report referred to acknowledges that much of the Lough Carra-Lough Mask system is of a relatively pristine condition. This is also the assessment of the ERU Report "Water Quality in Ireland 1987-1990" which classified Lough Mask as oligotrophic and Lough Carra as mesotrophic; both these classifications indicate that the lakes do not have eutrophic status. More recent monitoring results from Mayo County Council confirm the generally good water quality of the two lakes.

The major sewage discharge to Lough Mask is being addressed by the Ballinrobe sewerage scheme now under construction and due for completion in 1995 at a cost of some £9 million. This will provide secondary treatment with phosphate removal for a population equivalent of 8,000. In addition, the Hollymount sewerage scheme is about to commence and the Claremorris sewerage scheme is in planning; both these schemes will also provide secondary treatment with phosphate removal for significant sewage discharge to the River Robe and Lough Mask.

The results of recent extensive monitoring carried out under the European Communities (Quality of Surface Water Intended for the Abstraction of Drinking Water) Regulation, 1989, indicate a high quality of drinking water in the Lough Mask-Lough Carra catchment, with full compliance with national and EU standards.