Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, investigated a serious fish kill incident, which occurred in September 2021 at the Glore River in Kiltimagh.
It says its investigation led to the instigation of legal proceedings against Uisce Éireann.
Uisce Éireann has accepted liability for the fish kill, resulting from a chemical spill at the Kiltimagh Water Treatment Plant.
A Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer inspected the Kiltimagh Water Treatment Plant on several occasions since the fish kill.
Following an onsite meeting on October 28th 2022, a number of recommendations were made to Uisce Éireann to reduce the risk of future spills at the plant.
The water utility company, according to the IFI, was fully supportive and these measures have now been implemented.
IFI says it will continue to inspect the plant to ensure that all recommendations are being adhered to.
Further to these preventative measures, Uisce Éireann has paid costs and a financial contribution of €15,000 to go towards research for habitat enhancement.
It will be used to identify the potential for a habitat restoration project in the upper Glore river and some of its tributaries.
To report fish kills, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.
For original IFI statement on the Glore River incident see: www.fisheriesireland.ie/news/press-releases/fish-kill-confirmed-at-glore-river-in-kiltimagh-co-mayo
