Concerns over falling water levels at well-known nature spot in Kildare
The situation was highlighted at a recent Kildare County Council meeting
Local councillors have expressed concerns in relation to reduced water levels at one popular County Kildare nature preserve.
The reduction, which is affecting Pollardstown Fen, was highlighted at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which took place on Wednesday, July 15 last.
The discussion began near the end of the meeting, when Fianna Fáil Cllr Brian O’Loughlin motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to ‘confirm the requirements for extracting water from The Curragh Aquifer’.
As part of his motion, Cllr O’Loughlin wanted KCC’s report to include: whether a licence is required; the authority responsible for issuing such licences; and that the arrangements in place to ensure compliance, in light of reports of falling water levels at Pollardstown Fen’.
His motion was seconded by his party colleague and newly-elected Mayor of the MD, Suzanne Doyle (Cllr O’Loughlin is also the MD’s Deputy Mayor).
In response to Cllr O’Loughlin’s motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: “All water abstractions over 25 cubic metres (m³) per day (registration threshold) are required to be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unless they are otherwise exempt.
“All water abstractions over 2,000 m³ per day (licensable threshold) are required to be licensed by the EPA.”
KCC added: “Licence requirements for water abstractions between 25 m³ per day and 1,999 m³ per day are determined by the EPA.”
Following this, Cllr O’Loughlin asked KCC: “What I want to know is, where exactly is the water going [in light of the reduced water levels at Pollardstown Fen?”
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CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT
Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender then entered the conversation to voice his support for the motion.
He also made reference a recent RTÉ Radio 1 feature which focused on Pollardstown Fen and The Curragh Aquifier.
Moreover, Cllr Pender said that Pollardstown Fen is important as it offers’ some biodiversity opportunities’ for the MD.
Concluding his comments, he told KCC that The Curragh Aquifier ‘absolutely needs to be protected’.
Cllr O’Loughlin then re-entered the conversation to ask KCC: “Can we write to the EPA about this?”
After a brief discussion, and a specification for KCC to ask the EPA to ask what measures it is taking to protect The Curragh Aquifier, it was agreed upon by the councillors that KCC would send a letter to the EPA on their behalf.
Cllr O’Loughlin also asked KCC to place the matter on a progress report.
KCC agreed to do this as well.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme