Wastewater ‘neglect’ stifling development

Wastewater ‘neglect’ stifling development

30 October 2024

THE continued neglect and underfunding of the district’s wastewater infrastructure is having a major impact on its economic growth and public health, stifling development and posing a threat to the environment, a local politician has warned.

Northern Ireland Water has confirmed there are capacity issues at a number of its sewage treatment plants in Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Saintfield, Annsborough, Dundrum and Maghera which will likely result in planning applications for new development being refused.

Upgrades are planned for plants in Downpatrick, Annsborough, Drumaness and Newcastle before the end of 2027, but there are significant issues in Killyleagh and Saintfield.

NI Water has confirmed that 

in both towns, so-called developer funded solutions paving the way for new development to be connected to existing sewerage systems are no longer possible.

South Down MLA Andy McMurray attended the recent launch of Alliance’s new policy paper which lays out the problems with and solutions to fix the province’s water and wastewater systems.

He said the publication followed “decades of inaction” by the Department for Infrastructure, leaving water and wastewater infrastructure “outdated and working at maximum capacity”.

Mr McMurray said fixing the system would allow NI Water to make the long-term investment necessary to allow homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings to be built on a large scale again.

“We have an over-stretched water system that pollutes our water, blocks essential infrastructure being built and stifles economic growth. That is without question,” he said.

“There are dozens of areas across Northern Ireland where no new development can happen. In the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area alone, there are now nine wastewater treatment works which do not have any available capacity.”

Mr McMurray said that in addition to these, a further nine wastewater networks in the council area were already experiencing capacity issues, which meant that planning permission could be denied in parts of these areas in the future. 

“In Downpatrick and Kilkeel, the situation is so bad that NI Water has declared parts of these towns ‘closed catchments’  which means is that so-called ‘developer-funded solutions’ which can sometimes make planning permission possible despite capacity constraints, are no longer an option there,” he said.

Mr McMurray said that in addition to this, around 20 million tonnes of untreated sewage was spilling into Northern Ireland’s waterways every year, with Newcastle bathing waters one of the worst affected in the province. 

“This is putting people’s health at risk and damaging our environment and it’s clear that sitting on our hands is no longer an option,” he declared.

“This chronic neglect long pre-dates the current Infrastructure Minister’s term, but he has also failed to bring forward any meaningful plans or creative thinking to address the situation.”

Mr McMurray said there was a need for “brave political decision-making” as highlighted in Alliance’s policy paper to help deliver a sustainable new approach, including alternative funding and governance arrangements for NI Water. 

He added: “It would not mean any additional water charges for people here but, rather, investment in the water infrastructure as a priority which will unlock significant investment, boost job creation and economic growth, as well as enabling vital new homes and protecting our environment, for generations to come.”