Fish kill occurs following chemical leakage at Kiltimagh Water Treatment Plant

UISCE Éireann has accepted responsibility for a serious fish kill which occurred in Kiltimagh in 2021. 

Inland Fisheries Ireland, the State agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, investigated a serious fish kill incident, which occurred on September 3 2021 at the Glore River in Kiltimagh.

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s investigation led to the instigation of legal proceedings against Uisce Éireann and court procedures concluded on January 4 2023. 

A Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer has inspected the Kiltimagh Water Treatment Plant on several occasions since the fish kill.

Following an onsite meeting on October 28 2022, a number of recommendations were made to Uisce Éireann to reduce the risk of future spills at the Kiltimagh Water Treatment Plant.  

Uisce Éireann were fully supportive and these measures have now been implemented. 

Inland Fisheries Ireland will continue to inspect the plant to ensure that all recommendations have been followed.

Uisce Éireann has also paid costs and a financial contribution of €15,000 to go towards research for habitat enhancement. 

This will be used to identify the potential for a habitat restoration project in the upper Glore River and some of its tributaries. 

This project will include a detailed survey of the Glore and possibly some adjacent sub-catchments, which will provide an analysis of current river and riparian habitat quality. 

Where deficiencies are identified, appropriate amelioration works will be proposed to aid in the recovery of salmon stocks in the Glore River area. 

Members of the public can report fish kills by calling Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.