County Louth struggle to cope financially with toxic sludge waste

Over the past two years, County Louth, Ireland, has faced a colossal increase in the levels of dumped toxic sludge.

The increase in this illegal activity is costing Louth County Council serious time and money.

Sludge is often found dumped at the side of public roads in containers, which are often leaking toxic waste.

Over 20 containers have been discovered in the last month, with one incident seeing around 20,000 litres discarded on the side of the road.

Dealing with these containers is a costly and lengthy process for Louth County Council. The procedure involves pumping the diesel out of the containers locally, ensuring that nothing is left but dried-out toxic sludge. The remains are then sent abroad ready for treatment.

In the case involving 20 containers, the sludge has been sent to Germany for intensive treatment.

The sludge is produced when criminal gangs remove the dye present in discounted fuels (red in Northern Ireland and green in the Republic). They then illegally sell their now colourless diesel to some garages, who in turn sell on to motorists as normal fuel. Despite saving the garage money, the fuel can damage the engines of cars.

Crucially, drivers will be unaware of the potential risk they have put themselves and their car through.

Frank Pentony, the director of services for the Louth local authorities, told the BBC that the county is finding the expenditure particularly difficult giving the current economic climate.

"We are hard-pressed for income with cutbacks to public services. Everybody is being asked to tighten their belts.

"Obviously the state would prefer not to lose income in terms of revenues and lost customs and excise duty. But the state is also having to recoup councils for having to deal with the clean-ups.”

He told the broadcaster that cases of this nature cost the county €1 million (£799,177) in 2011 alone.

Posted by Joseph Hutton