SOS Skibbereen have researched the parent companies record on water quality at their Winona factory and asses the likely impact on the Ilen and Roaringwater Bay. The following is from SOS – full article link below.
“Impaired” Waters with Toxic Discharges or the Cleanest Waters Ireland?
Winona includes a large area of Impaired Waters, which means the regulations and controls are not stringent enough to meet the water quality standards set by states for the quality of surface and ground waters. The RTP Company factory is close to the banks of the Mississippi. Pollutants found in the river include Mercury and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBS) which are neurotoxicants with intergenerational health consequences from maternal body burden and exposure during pregnancy[iv].
Along its course in Minnesota, 703,019 pounds of toxic chemicals were dumped by industrial facilities into the Mississippi River in 2010.[v] Indeed the Mississippi River ranks 2nd in the USA for total toxic discharges.
By Comparison greater than 90% of the Ilen River is classified as Class A, meaning it is among the cleanest waters in Ireland.
The planners assessment for the factory proposed for Skibbereen states that the “Main impact (will be) on local flora fauna populations located downstream in the SAC from contaminated surface water on site”
Indeed they later state that all surface and process water will be discharged through Skibbereen Waste Water Treatment Plant, which discharges into the Ilen just upstream from the Skibbereen Rowing Club.
