Green Limerick: 'Worryingly high' levels of phosphate detected in Limerick river

AN INITIATIVE run by a group of 22 citizen scientists which sampled water across the River Deel catchment has revealed "worryingly high" levels of phosphate.

The community’s concern for local water quality and river health led to a citizen ‘Water Blitz’, resulting in 53 collected samples across the Limerick and North Cork catchment.

Phosphate is a plant nutrient that comes from manure, fertiliser and organic wastes in sewage and industrial discharges. When plants do not absorb it, it can flow into nearby rivers through heavy rain.

"This has health, environmental and financial impacts because excess phosphates and other pollutants must be removed from the water supply to purify it for human use. This is an increasingly energy-expensive process," Liz Gabbett, one of the citizen scientists, told the Limerick Leader.

These discharges are washing into the River Deel, a major water supply for people living and working in west Limerick, she said.

Excessive nutrients also impact the biodiversity and health of the river as it leads to an unbalancing of the natural ecosystem. In the summer, it is common to see excessive plant growth clogging up watercourses as it thrives in high nutrient levels. "This is to the detriment of other fauna, flora and river users," Ms Gabbett added.

She said: “What we found through water sampling is not new information. The recent EPA water quality report for 2016-2021 shows that around half of all river bodies in Limerick are in a moderate or poor state.

"We all need to act to reverse the decline in water quality so we can ensure reliable and healthy water for our families into the future."

With knowledge, training and coordination, we can come together to work for the health of our local rivers on which we all depend, Ms Gabbett added, commending the project's success.

This year’s Deel Water Blitz was developed as part of the Catchment Excellence Project (CEP) and was delivered by Central Solutions, The Rivers Trust and the Maigue Rivers Trust.

During 2022, Lean and Green SkillNet funded the CEP to bring together passionate stakeholders from local community groups, businesses and other organisations from across the catchment to learn more about how they can work individually and as a group to support initiatives that could improve local water quality.

Ms Gabbett stated: “Currently, the Deel CEP group is one small group of passionate locals who want to support change and work to create a healthy, thriving waterscape.

"Recognising the importance of a joined-up approach to catchment action, we wish to engage with and support other individuals and groups who want to learn new skills and help us improve water quality in the River Deel for the benefit of all."

On January 19 at 8pm, an in-person talkwill take place at Springfield Castle, Dromcollogher which will provide insights on the works being carried out by local farmers in the Upper Deel that are aimed at improving water quality.  

Anyone looking to attend the meeting, must register via Eventbrite.

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