The decision to set up a task force to implement a sustainable management plan for Lough Ree is being seen as a major step to wards cleaning up the lake. More than 100 people from a wide cross-section of the community met earlier this week and set up an executive council to implement the plan.
The council has drawn its membership from those who care for and use the lake and see the Shannon as the most valuable resource in the midlands.
According to Ms Siobhan Big ley, the chief executive of Athlone Chamber of Commerce, which commissioned a report on Lough Ree, the time for action has arrived.
"The executive council will meet next week and elect a chairperson to drive the initiative and will appoint a water quality officer before anything else."
She said this officer would liase with the water-testing agencies, such as the Lough Ree, Lough Derg Catchment Monitoring and Management Body, and environmental groups. It would also be his or her job to act as a liaison officer with the county councils around the lake.
Ms Bigley said the committee was made up of representatives of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, Teagasc, Duchas, the Heritage Service, Shannon Navigation, commercial boat owners and the Inland Waterways Association.
"The local county managers sent representatives and there is one from each of the counties on the executive and county representatives representing tourism, angling, community and environmental groups."
She said one of the most important things which emerged from the meeting was the report that the Department of the Environment had met detergent producers to ask them to identify products which would reduce phosphate use by 50 per cent.
"There is a great deal of interest in greener products such as detergents in the area and we want those identified so people can use them and help reduce pollution levels.
"The turnout at the meeting indicates to us an intent by local people and others in making sure Lough Ree is clean and can provide leisure and other facilities, not just for us but for our children."