Is agriculture the main cause of those seasonal algal blooms (eutrophication), which turn rivers like the Lee in Cork pea green each year, and, as happened last summer, forced the closure of Lough Leane in Killarney to the public? Not so, says the Killarney-based SOLVE organisation. The initials stand for "Save Our Lake and Valley Environment".
SOLVE is an alliance of An Taisce, the Killarney Nature Conservation Group, the Deer Society, Earthwatch, as well as the six rowing clubs and five angling associations in the area. The simplistic view, says SOLVE chairman Mr Mike O'Sullivan, is that agriculture alone is the root cause of the algal outbreak. "The bottom line, however, is that everyone is a contributor to eutrophication. Too many phosphates reaching Lough Leane, regardless of source, is the reason for the outbreak of blue/green algae witnessed last summer," he says. The problem will only get worse, unless the public realises that it too must do something about the decline of the environment, according to Mr O'Sullivan. Washing powders, as well as all detergents and soaps, can contain up to 30 per cent phosphates. But they continue to be used despite the fact that there are phosphate-free alternatives available which are just as effective.
To increase public knowledge on the issue, SOLVE will hold a Phosphates Awareness Week from January 31st next to February 7th. A booth in Killarney town centre will be manned by volunteers; leaflets will be sent to all homes and hotels; school competitions with a £1,000 prize fund sponsored by the marketing company, Killarney of the Welcomes, will be held; and broadcaster and environmentalist Dick Warner will spend two days visiting all the secondary schools in the town. The final event will be an open-air concert, featuring traditional and rock musicians at Ross Castle. The theme of the concert is "reclaiming our place".