Ennell water ‘tested every two weeks’

Water quality in the bathing area at Lough Ennell Is tested every two weeks and to date in 2023 results of the testing have shown the water to be of ‘excellent’ quality, Cllr Andrew Duncan was informed by officials at the June meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

Cllr Duncan had a motion on the agenda asking that the district detail water quality monitoring results on Lough Ennell and its catchment area.

Cllr Duncan also asked if there has been a deterioration in water quality.

The formal written response to Cllr Duncan ‘s motion explained that Lough Ennell is monitored under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

“It is sampled every quarter at five locations around the lake and samples are analysed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” the reply stated, adding that Lough Ennell is at ‘good’ quality status as per WFD status cycle 2016-2021 and that there has been no deterioration in water quality.

Addressing the issue of water quality at Lilliput, a designated bathing area, the reply stated that the latest annual water quality rating for 2022 is ‘good’.

“The bathing area is sampled every two weeks and results have been of ‘excellent’ quality in 2023 bathing season,” the reply concluded, adding that up-to-date results are available at www.beaches.ie.

Cllr Duncan was sceptical over the results: “How often do you liaise with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?” he asked.

“I think there is a significant issue with water quality there,” he said of the lake, particularly at Lilliput, explaining that in his view while the clarity of the water was ‘excellent’, the quality was less so.

“I think there’s a problem there,” he said.

Responding, director of services David Jones said there is ongoing contact with the EPA as part of the monitoring process, and that the results of the testing were as set out in the written response.