A DISCHARGE of about 20,000 gallons of pig slurry has caused serious pollution of two rivers in west Cork, the Department of the Marine has confirmed. The pollution has been exacerbated by low water levels due to the recent very, dry weather.
The initial discharge was from an overland tank into the Glashagleragh river, but the slurry travelled downstream into the Aragadeen river near Clonakilty. It had spread over a three mile stretch of waterway by yesterday evening.
The pollution has caused a fish kill in parts of both rivers, but the extent of this has yet to be determined, a Department spokeswoman said.
The circumstances of the discharge are being investigated by the South Western Regional Fisheries Board and Cork County Council, which has asked people in the area to conserve water as there may be "consequent water shortages in the Clonakilty area".
The Minister of State at the Department, Mr Eamon ,Gilmore, has asked the fisheries board to report to him on the circumstances of the incident.
