EHS received reports of a fish kill in the Cusher River, Tandragee at 09.00am on 5 June. The call was received via the Water Pollution Hotline, 0800 807 060. EHS Inspectors were immediately tasked to the scene. The investigation revealed that a plug of pollution was making its way down the Cusher River causing an extensive fish kill at a point half a mile downstream of Tandragee.
Despite the Inspectors’ efforts in considering various discharge points to the river in the vicinity of the fishkill, they were unable to detect any live discharges to the river at this time. The pollution has caused an extensive fish kill of hundreds of mainly trout and roach.
In an effort to protect the remaining distressed fish stocks EHS deployed an aerator to pump air into the river and a pump to pump in fresh river water from the nearby Newry Canal. EHS Inspectors are working closely with Fisheries Conservancy Board to assess the extent of the fish kill and to undertake further investigations as to its cause.
EHS was also notified of a pollution incident on the Lackey River, Co Fermanagh on 5 June at approx 11.15am. Inspectors were quickly tasked to investigate the incident.
The investigation revealed that up to 200 fish, mainly juvenile trout, were killed and there are concerns about more mortalities as the river was recently stocked with up to 10,000 juvenile trout. The source has been traced to a discharge from a farm where it is thought that a pipe carrying silage effluent from a silo to a slurry tank under a cattle shed nearby developed a leak.
Work is being undertaken to mitigate the source of pollution, and statutory samples have been taken with a view to prosecution. As the river forms the border with Co Monaghan there has been interest from Monaghan County Council and they have been advised of EHS’ findings and the work that has been undertaken so far.
To encourage the reporting of incidents, EHS operates a 24 hour freephone pollution response system that is available to the public at all times; this allows EHS to respond quickly and effectively to reports of pollution incidents and thus protect vital watercourses. The Water Pollution Hotline can be contacted on 0800 80 70 60.
Notes to Editors:
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