IT IS DYING AND MAKING US SICK

Campaigners' dire warning over Lough Neagh algae

-  SHAUNA CORR

IRELAND'S biggest freshwater lake is "dying" and it's making people sick, killing animals and costing livelihoods, it is claimed.

Harmful algal blooms form when pollution from farm run-off and sewage meet hot temperatures and sunlight causing eutrophication.

This summer Lough Neagh turned a menacing green after toxic cyanobacteria - bluegreen algae found the perfect conditions in which to thrive.

According to the North's Environment Agency, 62% of the phosphorus pollution feeding it came from agriculture.

With 24% caused by wastewater and 12% from septic tanks. It said nitrates from fertiliser and slurry are also a problem. Phosphorus draining into Lough Neagh rose by around 50% after the Stormont Executive's 2012 Going for Growth strategy.

An Taisce's Dr Elaine McGoff said the devastation should act as a warning to farmers across Ireland railing against laws to reduce the pollution.

She added: "Lough Neagh is where we are headed if we don't start to take the data and science around water quality seriously.

"This is where we end up if politicians keep caving and if you don't put the brakes on agriculture and waste water treatment - as is the case in Northern Ireland.