Water quality of Lough Melvin queried

The testing of water quality of Lough Melvin was queried at the recent meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District.

Cllr Justin Warnock (FF) tabled a motion asking the Environment Section of Leitrim County Council, “if they check for pesticides and PFAS when they are carrying out water quality testing in Lough Melvin. If not, have they access to results of tests being carried out by Uisce Eireann at their water treatment plant at Derryherk and from the EPA's water monitoring stations.”

The Kinlough based councillor also asked the Environment section, “If they have these test results can they be made available at our MD meeting.”

Speaking on his motion, Cllr Warnock told the meeting that “cancer is a big issue in many families. We need to look at improving water quality.”

He then posed the question, “is there much pesticide in Lough Melvin?”

In response, Council Director of Services, Vincent Dwyer, told the meeting that, “Our scientist will speak with you and go through the data.”

A written reply from the council stated, “the Environment Department carry out sampling of Lough Melvin annually as part of the Water Framework Directive monitoring programme.”

“The samples that are taken are sent to and analysed by the EPA. WFD data is EPA owned and they make it publicly available on their website,” the reply added.