THERE have been 387 confirmed pollution incidents in the Lough Erne system, with agriculture identified as the leading cause, in the past five years.

That accounts for 44 per cent of those cases, according to figures provided the Department for Agriculture and Rural Affairs. 

Industry contributed around 16 per cent of pollution incidents, while Northern Ireland Water was responsible for 12 per cent.

Minister Naomi Long, speaking on behalf of her colleague Andrew Muir, provided these statistics during an adjournment debate on the growing pollution crisis in Lough Erne. She reported that since 2019, there have been 21 confirmed pollution incidents specifically linked to Northern Ireland Water’s assets in the Enniskillen area, though all of these were classified as low severity. 

However, she emphasised that agricultural sources have been responsible for approximately 63 per cent of medium and high-severity incidents in the Lough Erne catchment.

"The principal cause of pollution is attributed to agriculture, around 44 per cent of incidents, followed by industry at 16 per cent and Northern Ireland Water at 12 per cent," Minister Long stated, adding that while these are concerning figures, efforts to reduce pollution must involve collaboration across all sectors.

The pollution crisis in Lough Erne has been an increasing concern for residents and local politicians. Deborah Erskine, Democratic Unionist MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, highlighted the urgency of the situation during the debate, referring to recent incidents of blue-green algae blooms that have been witnessed in the lough, drawing parallels to similar environmental concerns in Lough Neagh.

"We cannot allow our area to become another Lough Neagh," Mrs. Erskine warned. "Fermanagh is one of the most beautiful parts of Northern Ireland, but the increased pollution incidents are tarnishing that reputation."

Mrs. Erskine pointed to the Kesh River as an example of the ongoing issue, noting that between 2021 and 2023, there were 10 pollution incidents on the river, including a major fish kill in September 2021, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of brown trout. 

"Inaction is simply not an option," she stated, urging the need for immediate interventions to prevent further damage.

She also raised the issue of outdated wastewater infrastructure, which she claimed is no longer fit to meet the demands placed on it. She noted that storm overflows, which are designed to discharge excess water during heavy rainfall, are increasingly releasing untreated wastewater into Lough Erne. 

"We are not aware of the full rates of overflow because event duration monitors are not fully funded across our shores and banks," she added.

While agriculture has been identified as the primary source of pollution in the Lough Erne system, Mrs. Erskine cautioned against placing all the blame on the farming community. "Farmers are not always to blame," she said. 

"Yes, there are those who could do better, but we must be careful not to pit one section of our community against another."

Jemma Dolan, Sinn Féin MLA, echoed these sentiments, calling for greater support for farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices. 

"Farmers, who have long been stewards of the land, need our support," she said. "By incentivising eco-friendly farming techniques and providing access to new technologies, we can ensure that food production and environmental protection go hand in hand."

Miss Dolan also emphasised the need for stronger regulation and enforcement when it comes to waste management, particularly in tackling illegal dumping and upgrading wastewater treatment facilities.

 "We need funding to ensure that wastewater treatment issues are addressed across the North," she said, highlighting the years of underfunding that have impacted Northern Ireland Water’s ability to manage its infrastructure effectively.

The long-term impact of pollution in Lough Erne could be devastating, according to environmentalists and local anglers. 

Algal blooms, such as those caused by blue-green algae, can create "dead zones" in the water where aquatic life struggles to survive due to a lack of oxygen. 

Angling groups in the area, including Erne Anglers, have raised concerns about the declining health of the lough, particularly its impact on fish stocks.

Lord Tom Elliott, Ulster Unionist MLA, spoke about the history of pollution in Lough Erne, recalling how raw sewage was once regularly piped into the lough. 

"That was some years ago, but we have had problems with pollution since then," Lord Elliott said. "Lough Erne is a great showcase for Northern Ireland, but we need to curtail the pollution."

Lord Elliott also touched on the impact of the Ballyshannon hydroelectric plant on fish stocks, particularly salmon and eels, which struggle to navigate through the power station’s infrastructure. 

"Mitigation measures have been put in place, but it is not the same as letting those fish go naturally up and through the system," he explained, calling for further efforts to improve fish migration routes.

Several MLAs, including Colm Gildernew, Sinn Fein MLA, called attention to the underinvestment in Northern Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure as a key factor contributing to pollution in the lough. 

"The underinvestment over many years is catching up on us," Mr. Gildernew stated, urging for urgent action to modernise wastewater treatment systems across the region.

Andrew McMurray, South Down MLA, pointed out that Northern Ireland has over 2,400 storm overflows, most of which are unmonitored. 

"The situation is likely worse than reported," Mr. McMurray warned, adding that a long-term funding model is urgently needed for Northern Ireland Water. He also criticised the amount of untreated sewage being discharged into waterbodies. 

"It’s clear that our infrastructure cannot cope with the demands placed on it," he said.

As Lough Erne is part of a larger, interconnected water system that spans across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, several MLAs stressed the importance of cross-Border cooperation in addressing the pollution issue. 

"We need to deal with the issue across the island, because there is no point in addressing it here when the problems remain there," Mr. Gildernew said.

Miss Dolan also referenced a recent meeting with Waterways Ireland, during which the organisation outlined steps to tackle pollution, including investing in green technologies and embracing sustainable agricultural practices.

In response to the debate, Minister Long emphasised that pollution in Northern Ireland’s waterways is a complex, multi-sectoral issue that will require collaboration between government departments, local authorities, and the private sector. 

"We need sustained investment in wastewater infrastructure," she said. "Significant improvements are required to meet current and future environmental standards."

Minister Long acknowledged the role of agriculture in contributing to pollution but also stressed that the issue is not limited to one sector. "Pollution, irrespective of the source, should follow the ‘polluter pays principle,’" she stated, calling for fairness in the way pollution is addressed and penalised.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has launched several initiatives aimed at reducing pollution in Northern Ireland’s waterways, including a review of the Nutrient Action Programme and a Blue-Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI). 

The SBRI is exploring potential solutions to treat and reduce blue-green algae blooms, with the outcomes potentially applicable to other bodies of water, including Lough Erne.

Minister Long pointed out during the debate, "Water is the driving force of all nature." The health of Lough Erne is not just an environmental concern but a matter of preserving livelihoods, tourism, and the natural beauty that defines the region.”