A pilot treatment plant aimed at restoring the most polluted stretch of river in the State was officially launched by the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche yesterday.
The plant will operate for three months on the Avoca River in Co Wicklow, 11km (seven miles) of which are severely polluted due to discharges from copper mines which have been in existence for over 230 years.
Commissioned by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board and Wicklow County Council, the pilot treatment scheme will cost €95,000 to operate in an effort to revive the river as a location for salmon fishing.
The river has previously been classed by the Environmental Protection Agency as the most polluted stretch of river in Ireland.
Josie Mahon, an inspector with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, said the river was languishing at the lowest point of the water-quality scale.
"The Avoca River has tremendous potential as a salmon river. If it was restored, it would bring massive benefits to the area.
"The University of Newcastle completed a study three years ago which showed that €750,000 could be generated per annum for the local community through salmon angling," Ms Mahon said.
Under the EU water framework directive, all Irish waters must meet strict water-quality standards by 2015. Avoca River however is currently in breach of all such regulations, according to Ms Mahon.
The mines, which are located on either side of the river, closed in 1982.
When the pilot scheme concludes in three months, a final report will be prepared for the Government, outlining the costs and benefits of the plant in improving the river.