Lough Neagh is now "rotten" with the same blue-green algae that devastated the lake last year, with some politicians accused of holding a "talking shop" by campaigners. New pictures of Ireland's biggest freshwater lake have emerged showing just how far the toxic bacteria has spread across the water body that provides 40 per cent of Northern Ireland's drinking water. According to the latest NI Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs figures, there have been 47 confirmed reports of blue-green algae across Northern Ireland this year, 27 of which are from water bodies feeding Lough Neagh and the lough itself.
Blue-green algae has also been confirmed at Belfast Lough, Lough Erne, the Foyle, Strangford and Carlingford loughs. But the plan Minister Andrew Muir put before the Executive to start dealing with the problem, sparked by farm and sewage pollution, was not approved before summer recess, with DAERA left limited in what it can do. READ MORE: Ireland’s biggest freshwater lake's algal bloom disaster predicted 20 years ago READ MORE: 45% of household septic tanks near rivers and drinking wells failed inspection Save Our Shores founder, Mary O'Hagan, says swimming groups are now avoiding the lough because of the health hazards associated with the toxic algae and with so little done since the issue was reported globally last year, she says she's "ashamed" to be from Northern Ireland .
Mary told Belfast Live: "I feel bad for Minister Muir...
he's trying his best..
