Portmagee tourism being put at risk by poor waste management

Raw sewage is being pumped into the ocean near the town, causing a rat problem, according to kerryman.ie.

There are even fears that the sewage could smell in the summer, threatening the area’s normally flourishing tourist industry.

Councillor Paul O’Donoghue told the news provider that the poor waste management could cause financial and social problems as well as environmental.

“In bad times we still put in sewerage plants. Everything else in Portmagee is perfect but the sewerage system is woefully inadequate,” he said.

Local businesses and developers have expressed concern that the sewage has begun to flow into the town’s picturesque harbour and that the sewage systems must be upgraded if Portmagee is to continue its growth.

The town is known as An Caladh in Irish, literally meaning ‘the ferry’, which refers to its original purpose as a crossing point to Valentia Island.