Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the UK, is at a critical point due to severe pollution. The lake which supplies more than 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water, is suffering from toxic algal blooms caused by high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen. These pollutants mainly come from intensive farming, wastewater and septic tanks.
A new action plan by Northern Ireland's government aims to address this crisis. The plan includes measures to reduce pollution, such as supporting sustainable farming practices, real-time water quality monitoring and creating buffer zones with tree planting. However, some of the most crucial actions have been delayed due to political opposition.
Environmental campaigners argue that the plan lacks clear targets and strong commitments, especially regarding sewage and agricultural runoff. They call for immediate and significant reductions in phosphorus levels to prevent further harm to the lake's ecosystem and the people who depend on it.
Scientists warn that without urgent actions restoring the lake's health could take decades.
