Keeping Our Rivers Clean

Rivers can be  polluted in lots of ways.  A river that has been straightened out and dredged does not have the diversity of habitats needed to support a healthy fishery. 

Excess fertilisers seeping from forestry or farmland into a river will cause the water chemistry to change in such a way that fish and other wildlife cannot live there.  Leakage from septic tanks has the same effect, along with other sewage treatment works.  Pesticides from forestry and agriculture pollute water too.

According to the latest figures, one third of Irish rivers are polluted.  We need to make a really big effort to change the way things are done and stop polluting our waters if we are to restore healthy aquatic ecosystems and plentiful fish.

All of our activities, from building to farming, from industry to forestry, can be managed in a way that ensures the restoration of good water quality in Irish streams and rivers.  The streams and rivers will benefit and society will continue to enjoy the services that they provide. 

Water Pollution Picture Slide Show

(Reference - Nature's Way, Biodiversity Ecosystems in Ireland - An Taisce, 2010)