Probe into high mineral content in soil at city pitches

Soil samples showing extremely high levels of minerals at city pitches are being sent to laboratories for testing to determine if there is a risk to health and safety of players.

Galway City Council has asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to investigate soil test results, which reveal massively high levels of zinc, copper and iron at the new pitches at Westside.

Readings from soil samples taken at Corrib Rangers soccer pitches and St Michael’s GAA pitch are way above recommended levels.

The readings are so high the City Council has referred them to the HSE to determine if there is a risk to players and other users of the pitches.

The level of iron found in the soil at the pitches is 11 times the recommended levels. The level of zinc in the soil is roughly 10 times the recommended level.

According to the soil report, the level of copper to be found in the soil is also far in excess of the recommended levels.

The presence of massively high mineral levels in the soil is being blamed for poor grass growth on the pitches, which were only opened last year.

According to informed sources, the soil is not responding to fertilizer, and is too laden with minerals to grow.

“The quality of soil is very poor,” said one source in Corrib Rangers.

“The grass is not growing the way it should do, especially for new pitches. It’s poor quality soil. There isn’t much you can do with it. The levels of iron, zinc and copper are way above what they should be. They are crazy levels. I’m not sure what the impact is on health and safety but it’s no good for growth.”

The knock-on effect is that the pitches are ‘cutting-up’, and have uneven, mucky surfaces.

A St Michael’s GAA source said: “There is talk they might have to dig it up and re-surface it, with proper topsoil. Questions have to be asked about how this could happen. If you pay so much money for new pitches, then you wouldn’t expect that the soil quality would be an issue.”

The City Council, owners of the sports centre, yesterday received copies of the pitches’ soil reports from the contractors who carried out the work.

The local authority said suggestions that high levels of minerals in the soil might pose a risk to the public are taken “very seriously”.

“The soil test reports contain no reference to toxicity,” said a Council spokesperson.

“We are referring the report to the HSE for comment in relation to any health risks. The City Council takes its responsibility regarding health and safety very, very seriously – it is one of our top five priorities. This is why when health and safety is raised, we take it very seriously,” he added.

The source of the problem hasn’t yet be confirmed. One theory is that the topsoil was taken from an area rich in minerals. Another theory is that area was previously an old dumping ground.

The new pitches’ project has been jinxed. The re-development of the pitches was delayed by set-backs on the construction of the Seamus Quirke Road, which was over-budget.