KILDARE: Weed growth at lakes 'is not damaging wildlife'

The proliferation of weeds on the lakes in Naas is not damaging to wildfowl.

That is the view of an expert who carried out a survey after weeds grew extensively at the waterway in recent months.

A Naas Municipal District meeting was told that a consultant ecologist engaged by KCC has indicated that the growth on the lake is “beneficial both to the oxygenation of the water and as food for the wildfowl.”

KCC official Simon Wallace said the report indicated that the weeds are not detrimental to wildlife. 

He also said removal of any of the growth would be for cosmetic purposes only and “the  consultant has indicated that the only negative impact on the lake is the nutrient enrichment of the water from further upstream.”

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He also said that removal would be expensive.

The meeting heard that a full report will be available at the end of this month.

Mr Wallace also said the council’s environment department has been asked  to investigate the water quality there.

Cllr Anne Breen had claimed that wildlife, including swans, “cannot get into the water and are sitting on the banks.”