In 2022 local press and radio raised the issue regarding over growth, algae, and the wholesale neglect of the River Suir in Thurles, by Tipperary Co. Council.
In a press release, back then, the local authority confirmed that plans were currently being developed in conjunction with Inland Fisheries, LAWPRO and the OPW River Drainage, to carry out maintenance works on the local River channel in an effort to mitigate potential flooding.
In tandem with this work the above named organisations claimed, according to the local authority, that same would look to enhance the area down-stream of the Barry’s Bridge crossing in Thurles, including the installation of deflectors, which supposedly would eradicate algae bloom.
Thurles.Info had highlighted this problem as early as November 2013; almost 12 years preciously, yet to-date nothing has happened, other than reed cutting just days before the last two local elections; which saw trimmed Reeds, Rushes, Switch grass and Sedges left to float and rot in the water, while blocking areas further downstream.
[See same issue raised time and time again including in June 30th, 2022 (view Here); in October 14th, 2022 (view Here); in June 28th, 2023 (view Here); in October 26th 2023 (view Here), in August 17th, 2024 (view Here), in January 29th, 2024 (view Here) and in September 23rd, 2024 (view Here)]
In January 2024, a Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) representative informed Nenagh Municipal District councillors, of a major decline in the water quality of Tipperary’s rivers and streams. Ms Catherine Seale-Duggan, the newly appointed Community Water Officer with LAWPRO warned that the quality of watercourses in Co. Tipperary had dropped “substantially” and “worryingly” over the past 10 years.
Ms Seale-Duggan further confirmed then, that only 1/3 of rivers in Tipperary were in the category of “Good and High Status”, whereas ten years previously almost 2/3 of the counties rivers fell into that same stated category.
A small number of pictures taken on Sunday last, must surely highlight the present need for immediate action in relation to the cesspool that is the river passing through Thurles. The stench/odour which presents itself to the nostrils of those walking in the area between the Swinging Gates and Thurles Shopping Centre for the past number of years, must now be immediately be eradicated.
In January 29th of 2024, a Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO latter first setup in 2016), representative informed Nenagh Municipal District councillors, of a major decline in the water quality of Tipperary’s rivers and streams.
Biologist and spokesperson Mr Fran Igoe, agreed that what is happening in Thurles and the river Suir is ‘shocking‘. On that same date, now 17 months later, Mr Igoe stated that test results showed that while one should expect to find a broad range of aquatic insects and bugs, he could only find two species in our river Suir.
Local councillors back 17 months ago were talking of a plan which was to be drawn up by July 2024. Since then with the situation has become totally unacceptable, with the local electorate not aware of any future possible solution.
So what is this white substance trapped in reeds on the surface of the river water?
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