MLA highlights impact of water pollution on sports

MLA highlights impact of water pollution on sports

9 April 2025

A LOCAL politician has highlighted the impact of water pollution on sports.

South Down MLA Andy McMurray addressed a recent event at Stormont organised by the Clean Water Sports Alliance.

He said lakes, rivers and seas do for water sports what pitches, halls and courts do for traditional sports.

Mr McMurray said waterways are “absolutely essential playgrounds” for a number of sports, but are always not reliably available in the way other sports facilities are. 

He said that increasingly, man-made pollution is curtailing participation in water sports.

“This means that events are being cancelled, postponed or moved more and more often. In some cases, participants become ill.”

Mr McMurray referred to what he described as “serious water quality issues” in local waters, especially Newcastle bathing waters and at Castlewellan Lake.

“Last year, a triathlon planned to take place at Castlewellan Forest Park had to be downgraded to a ‘sprint duathlon’ because of toxic algae in the lake, with the decision affecting 400 participants,” he revealed.

“This is a result of the water pollution that is sadly becoming the norm in Northern Ireland and a prime example of the impact this scourge is having on water sports.”