KILDARE: Farmers slurry threat to Naas lakes

A Naas Municipal District meeting was told that the weed growth which has taken place at the Naas lakes has also been evident at the  De Burgh lands - some of which are due to be opened to the community as an amenity.

Naas councillor Seamie Moore asked Kildare County Council to contact farming organisations and landowners in “the upper catchment area of the rivers supplying the water to the Naas Lakes area.”

He said this should remind them “of seasonal restrictions and water course set back lines when spreading slurry and other nutrient-rich fertilisers and identifying the pollution damages to the lakes during 2023.”

Kildare County Council said it actively works to ensure that all farmers are complying with European Union regulations and this involves farm inspections across the county and directions to farmers as required.

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The council also works to raise awareness across the farming community through information and press releases around various topics and farm activities.

Farmers are not permitted to spread slurry from October 8 until January 12.

This restriction is in place in order to prevent nutrient loss to the rivers and streams which would pollute the waterbody.

Any instances of land spreading of slurry during this period will be investigated and the appropriate sanction taken, KCC says.

Unauthorised land spreading practices can be reported to KCC

The spreading of organic fertilisers is prohibited in County Kildare from October 8 until January 12.

In addition, farmyard manure is prohibited from being land spread or stored on lands from November 1 until January 12.