Uisce Éireann has been convicted after a sewage discharge polluted a popular angling lake in Co Mayo.
The case revolves around effluent from Uisce Éireann’s wastewater pumping station in Claremorris, which flowed into Clare Lake in Mayo, killing at least 945 fish over a two-week period.
The water industry company must now pay a fine of €4,000 and €7,131 in costs and expenses to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
Welcoming the conviction, IFI’s Galway director Dr Rachel Cooper said a large number of fish, including perch and roach, were affected in this very damaging event.
“It may take years for Clare Lake to recover,” she said.

Sewage fungus arising from the wastewater discharge into Clare Lake.
"Pollution incidents such as these severely affect water quality and pose a serious threat to our natural environment, and fish stocks."
Water pollution
The incident occurred on 26 April 2024 and may have also had a secondary impact on water quality in the River Robe, as the lake forms part of its catchment.
The case was heard at Castlebar District Court on 7 January 2025 and the water company was subsequently found to have committed a water pollution breach.

Fats, oils and grease film on Clare Lake.
The lake is a well used and very important local angling amenity, with floating fishing stands, wheelchair access and seating areas for members of the public.
IFI has urged the public to report instances of water pollution, fish kills, habitat destruction, or illegal fishing, to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
Uisce Éireann statement
Following the conviction, the Irish Farmers Journal received a statement from Uisce Éireann.
“Uisce Éireann is committed to safeguarding public health and protecting the environment in all our activities. Following an overflow incident in April 2024, which regretfully resulted in a fish kill in the Clare Lake, Claremorris, we put in place a number of measures to reduce overflows at Clare Lake and ensure such an incident does not recur.”
The infiltration works which saw an investment of €1.5m included a rehabilitation of 2km of sewer pipelines in Claremorris town to reduce the volume of ground water entering Mayfield pumping station and a replacement of foul pumps to increase throughput at Mayfield pumping station.
In addition, the water company completed improvements to telemetry and monitoring at Mayfield and connection to the national telemetry system.
“Uisce Éireann also recently completed works to reconstruct a section of sewer near Mayfield where significant ground water infiltration was occurring.
“Reinstatement works on site will be completed shortly.”
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Uisce Éireann has been convicted after a sewage discharge polluted a popular angling lake in Co Mayo.
The case revolves around effluent from Uisce Éireann’s wastewater pumping station in Claremorris, which flowed into Clare Lake in Mayo, killing at least 945 fish over a two-week period.
The water industry company must now pay a fine of €4,000 and €7,131 in costs and expenses to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
Welcoming the conviction, IFI’s Galway director Dr Rachel Cooper said a large number of fish, including perch and roach, were affected in this very damaging event.
“It may take years for Clare Lake to recover,” she said.

Sewage fungus arising from the wastewater discharge into Clare Lake.
"Pollution incidents such as these severely affect water quality and pose a serious threat to our natural environment, and fish stocks."
Water pollution
The incident occurred on 26 April 2024 and may have also had a secondary impact on water quality in the River Robe, as the lake forms part of its catchment.
The case was heard at Castlebar District Court on 7 January 2025 and the water company was subsequently found to have committed a water pollution breach.

Fats, oils and grease film on Clare Lake.
The lake is a well used and very important local angling amenity, with floating fishing stands, wheelchair access and seating areas for members of the public.
IFI has urged the public to report instances of water pollution, fish kills, habitat destruction, or illegal fishing, to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
Uisce Éireann statement
Following the conviction, the Irish Farmers Journal received a statement from Uisce Éireann.
“Uisce Éireann is committed to safeguarding public health and protecting the environment in all our activities. Following an overflow incident in April 2024, which regretfully resulted in a fish kill in the Clare Lake, Claremorris, we put in place a number of measures to reduce overflows at Clare Lake and ensure such an incident does not recur.”
The infiltration works which saw an investment of €1.5m included a rehabilitation of 2km of sewer pipelines in Claremorris town to reduce the volume of ground water entering Mayfield pumping station and a replacement of foul pumps to increase throughput at Mayfield pumping station.
In addition, the water company completed improvements to telemetry and monitoring at Mayfield and connection to the national telemetry system.
“Uisce Éireann also recently completed works to reconstruct a section of sewer near Mayfield where significant ground water infiltration was occurring.
“Reinstatement works on site will be completed shortly.”
Read more
Microalgae could be key to Irish wastewater problem
Uisce Éireann convicted for chemical spill that led to major fish kill
Uisce Éireann ordered to pay over €6,000 for pollution of Sligo river
Farming responsible for 23% of fish kills, report finds
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