Lough Neagh

[seafoid]

Surely the suspension of Stormont and budgeting etc isn't helping. The DUP is dysfunctional.

[Upandover]

Surely the suspension of Stormont and budgeting etc isn't helping. The DUP is dysfunctional.

Probably not, wasnt poots minister for the environment or such? A farmer himself.

Until people with relevant expertise and knowledge are put into these posts then nothing will change, these people havent a clue and are placed in charge of these departments for a few years before the stormont merry go round starts again and they are moved somewhere else.

[JimStynes]

How long before this recovers?? Or will it ever recover?

[Upandover]

How long before this recovers?? Or will it ever recover?

Realistically this could take decades to recover but may never fully recover.
The lough has been dredged of sand, had thousands upon thousands of tons of raw sewage and slurry washed into it, it is on the brink of collapse.

[Upandover]

Scary thing is 40% of the norths drinking water comes from here, not to mention bottled water from the lough neagh basin, how many chemicals are being used to turn that water from toxic green sludge into clear drinking water?

[Upandover]

Inputs like farm runoff will  have to be more carefully  managed in future. Autumn and winter rain should help but it is a warning.

The rain doesnt necessarily help either, prior to weather warnings etc get out and have a look at local fields, they will be saturated in slurry and manure, the rain takes it into the watercourses and then out to lough or sea.

Much cheaper than having the slurry etc disposed.

[Itchy]

Scary thing is 40% of the norths drinking water comes from here, not to mention bottled water from the lough neagh basin, how many chemicals are being used to turn that water from toxic green sludge into clear drinking water?

Now we know what is wrong with ye.

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2023/08/23/half-of-states-rivers-and-lakes-at-moderate-to-poor-ecological-status-between-2016-and-2021/

[Eamonnca1]

Zebra mussel major problem.

Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.

Which is probably causing other problems

That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?

[Upandover]

Zebra mussel major problem.

Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.

Which is probably causing other problems

That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?

Sometimes it can take generations for things to eventually take its toll though.

[trailer]

It needs to brought into public ownership. All dredging etc stopped.
That Shaftesbury makes a f**king fortune of it.

[armaghniac]

It needs to brought into public ownership. All dredging etc stopped.
That Shaftesbury makes a f**king fortune of it.

Fine Shaftesbury for having shite water on his property and use the money to buy it.

[Milltown Row2]

Farmers seem like the salt of the earth type guys

[Applesisapples]

Zebra mussel major problem.

Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.

Which is probably causing other problems

The sand removal is a major issue, ask any of the fishermen. One expert is reported as saying it would take 800 years to repair the damage done in the last 50.

[Applesisapples]

Zebra mussel major problem.

Yep. Feck all to do with the sand.

Which is probably causing other problems

That dredging has been going on for generations. Would it really be causing any new problems?
[/quote
I grew up on and learned to swim in the Lough. I wouldn't put a dog in it now. When I was growing up the Lough Neagh Midges swarmed in millions. On a summer night it was like smoke above the trees. Only people who grew up there could hack it. now there are houses everywhere and this year in particular not a midge in sight, down to 50 years of dredging. The extra housing due to an influx of non-natives is adding to the pressure. In addition even though the shoreline is a protected area people along the shore are levelling and filling in habitat and the DRD does not give too fucks.