‘Smelly' Louth coastline a ‘naturally occurring phenomenon'
He told councillors the bloom is particularly prevalent 'along the strand at the main street, the Priest's beach and along the marsh grasses at The Loakers which is an Special Protected Area (SPA) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).'
Explaining that he had raised this with the local authority, he added: 'I was told that it wasn't what I thought it was, and it was a natural occurrence and harmless. I requested it be cleaned up as soon as possible as people couldn't put their clothes outside on the line, or even walk in the area because the smell was so repugnant. I cannot imagine the effect this is having on our wildlife.'
The response to my queries was that 'we couldn't take a vehicle on to the beach as the National Parks and Wildlife services would not allow it'.
He added: 'I believe this material washed up is an Algal Bloom which is a rapid increase of algae which is caused by an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus in particular. These blooms can be extremely harmful, impacting water quality, causing oxygen depletion and producing toxins that not only affect wildlife but seriously effect humans and pets. Animal and human health is threatened here as this nutrient pollution contains high levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from sources like sewage and slurry.'
'Sometimes, you only have to use your sense of smell, to realise that this is a major problem caused by our lack of sewerage treatment capacity in this entire area and toilet waste getting into our seas is the main cause of it I believe. The permitted use of human sludge from WWTP (Waste Water treatment plants) on our lands and the "uncontrolled releases" from WWTP and storm drainpipes has contributed enormously to this algal bloom, I believe.'
'I am requesting the environmental section of this council to get an independent analysis carried out on this Algae, as the onus is on us as councillors in the chamber to have it tested and determine its safety and our next moves. I believe the environmental section of Louth County Council cannot continue to promote the notion that this is a natural occurrence and not in any way a risk to human health.'
Cllr. McGuinness criticised what he referred to as 'a lack of engagement'
"I have raised this a number of times over the last twelve months, Dundalk South needs a Waste Water Treatment Plant. I know that we can easily say it is an Irish Water issue, but I believe we need to communicate better over the next twelve months.'
Director of Service, David Hanratty, said they had been in contact with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to this matter, adding: 'The position hasn't changed, it is a natural phenomenon.'
He explained that the nutrient rich water in this area, comes largely from the marsh land.
Mr. Hanratty said they had 'no reports of malfunctions at waste water treatment plants that would have contributed to this...and no evidence of any links to sewage or any run off from agricultural activities.'
He added that as it is a "naturally occurring algal bloom' the local authority 'cannot clean it up, we cannot interfere with the natural ecological processes.'
The very warm Spring weather, coupled with the nutrient rich water, had likely contributed to the increase in algal bloom, he said.
'But, that being said, we will continue to monitor the situation,'
On a related topic, Cllr. Marianne Butler asked if there were any 'nature based projects' to deal with the 'run off from streets etc' in Louth. She asked: 'When are we going to adopt nature based solutions?'
Mr. Hanratty said that under the new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, Dundalk has been chosen as one of five pilot sites around the country that will see the development of an integrated waste water treatment plant, looking at where water comes from and where it goes.
He added that it is being led by Uisce Eireann, but involves local stakeholders including Louth County Council.
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