THE Kesh river is at a "good ecological status" despite 10 pollution incidents in the last three years. 

That is according to recent response from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), which revealed that there have been 10 pollution incidents on the Kesh River from 2021 to 2023.

Of the reports, one was classified as "high severity", one as "medium severity", while eight were "low severity". 

Incidents include a major fish kill in September, 2021, which saw thousands of brown trout killed in an unexplained pollution incident.

Despite the high number of pollution incidents, NIEA asserts that the Kesh River remains in a "good ecological status".

The statutory body also said that pollution incidents within the Lough Erne catchments arise from a range of sectors, including agriculture, sewage and industry.  

Pollution concerns on Lough Erne have recently been raised by local anglers, including the dumping of builders' waste and rubbish.

One local angler said: "The local river has had problems with litter, which are possibly less than they were some years ago.

"But in Kesh, plastic bottles, builders' waste and polystyrene packaging routinely make their way down to the lake, no doubt reducing in time to nano-plastics which will enter the food web with untold consequences."

NIEA have said that it continues to take the issue of water pollution "very seriously, and is progressing a wide range of measures aimed at improving water quality.

A spokesperson said: "These range from pollution prevention and response activities to regulatory inspections and enforcement action, where appropriate.

“There are a range of issues and pressures within the Erne system which highlights that water quality is not one individual’s or single agency’s responsibility.

"Everyone has a part to play to contribute to protecting water quality, and further information on how to be part of the solution can be found on NIEA Water Pollution Leaflet, available at daera-ni.gov.uk."